The Missionary Review of the World — June 1939
1939
What Is New in Home Missions?
Mark A. Dawber Experiences Among Ozark Mountaineers Paul A. Wobus The South's Number One Problem Archie C. Smith Berea's Work for Mountaineers William J. Hutchins New Frontiers in Home Missions Edward D. Kohlstedt American Indians' Work for Indians G. E. E. Lindquist A Christian Philosophy for Rural Work Frank W. Price 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a YeaI'
to Remember elected one of the secretaries of the THE
Board of Foreign Missions of the June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., to take <- The only weekly in the Church of the Brethren, Anderson, the place of Dr. Webster E. Browning Presbyterian Church. Ind. who has been honorably retired. Dr. Anderson is a Canadian by birth, a <- Its message is based upon June 8 – General Synod of the Re- graduate of McGill University, Mon- the Revealed Word of God. formed Church in America, New treal, and of Princeton Theological York, N. Y. Seminary. He went to Cameroon, <- Goes into every state in West Africa, in 1926. On June 1, he the Union, U. S. possessions June 9-16-Annual Meeting, Foreign will take up his official duties as Sec- and many foreign countries. Missions Conference. Swarthmore, retary but first expects to visit the Pa. South American fields this summer Subscription rate – $2.50 and autumn since he is to have re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 June 16-24–Winona Summer School sponsibility for the Latin America of Missions, Winona Lake, Ind. and Africa portfolios. SOc. extra–Canadian postage Courses include Bible, Mission Text- $1.50 extra– Foreign postage books and addresses by missionaries. *** Write to Mrs. C. E. Ahrensfeld, 431 THE PRESBYTERIHn S. East Ave., Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Everett B. King, pastor of the Hemphill Church, Fort Worth, Texas, 121 7 Market Street June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- has been elected Secretary of the Philadelphia, Pa. vention, Los Angeles, Calif. Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. He theologian and professor for 20 years, june 21-2S-Sunday School and B. Y. has been assigned to responsibility for has been appointed to the FaCUlty of P. U. Congress of the National Bap- Sunday school missions and Alaska, the Graduate School of Applied Reli- tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.), to take the place of Dr. John M. gion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Spiegel Tulsa, Okla. Somerndike, recently deceased. Dr. shared for a time the fate of Martin King is a native of Texas and was Niemoller in a concentration camp, June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- educated at the University of Texas, and was recently "shipped" to Switzer- ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. Trinity University, and the Presby- land. Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, terian Theological Seminary at Chi- Scarsdale, N. Y. cago. Dean Alfredo* G*onz*alez, of Central July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- *** Philippine College, has written a book ference for Women and Girls. East e~t!tled "The 9a11 of the Heights," Northfield, Mass. For information, Dr. Albert ,schweitzer founded his VIrIle and umrustakably religious in address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 hospital in Africa twenty-five years its appeal. The book has just been Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. ago. On the 25th anniversary the selected by the Philippine Government children of the Mission presented him Department 01; Education, as the text july 6-11 – International Christian with a beautiful piece of furniture, for character instruction in the public Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, made by themselves. One of them schools of the Islands. Ohio. made a presentation speech to "our dear, grand docteur." Dr. Schweitzer *** July 11-August 16 – Winona Lake refused an electric organ because of School of Theology. Winona Lake, the difficulty of keeping the compli- Rev. Myron Terry, of the Christian Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 cated machinery in order in that cli- Litera;ture Society in ~hanghai, is Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. mate. Instead, he was given the price spendmg some. mont~s m Kunming, of an X-ray for the hospital. Yunnan, supermtendmg the erection July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. of a small building and getting a new Atlanta, Ga. *** branch of the Christian Literature So- ciety started. July 24-August 2-World Conference Dr. Walter Spiegel, member of the of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, ConfC'ssional Church in Germany, a Rev. George*W*. Sh*epherd, of Au- Holland. J}pmn~ burndale, Mass., went to China 18 Aug. SolO-Ninth Quadrennial Con- y~ars ago as a Congregational mis- vention of the Woman's Home and of tbe SIOnary. Ten years later, the National Foreign Missionary Society of Af- Council of China detailed him to as- rican Methodist Episcopal Zion ctbri~tian sist Generalissimo and Madame Church, Detroit, Mich. Chiang in their "New Life Move- lLift ment," fight~ng supersti~ion and politi- August 13-20-Geneva Summer School cal corruptIOn, promoting education of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. cA BOOK of worship in song, com- and public health. Along came the For information write to Mrs. Paul bining a hymnal for general war and the Movement's energies H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey church use, and a song book for evan- ~ere diyerted to :relief. Mr. Shepherd Ave., Oak Park, Ill. gelistic purposes. onty songs sound IS now m the Uruted States, ostensibly in the faith and inspirationaf in char- on furlough, but using his time to Personal Item. acter induded—emphasizing Evangel- raise funds for the "Church Commit- ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. tee for China Relief." Dr. Francis S. Hutchins, of the Many of the new—the best of the old. Yale-in-China Mission School at (Co'Mluded. em page 273.) Changsha, has been elected President 504 Songs Responsive Readings of Berea College, Kentucky, to succeed his father, Dr. William J. Topical Index Gold Embossed Hutchins, who is resigning after nineteen years of service. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especiall~ Dr. Francis Hutchins is 38 years of low price. Single copy, 8Se postpaid. age. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., educated at Oberlin and Yale and Write today for returnable sample co,", went out fourteen years ago to work in the Yale Mission. His brother, Dr. CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Robert M. Hutchins, is President of the University of Chicago. 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG. PA. *** The Rev. Llewellyn K. Anderson, Ph.D., recently a Presbyterian missionary in West Africa, has been
MISSIONARY I have taken the magazine for years WHEN THE CALL LEADS
and would feel quite lost without it." REVIEW OF THE WORLD II EAST 0F SUE Z" Long BeaMchIS-,SCSaAlRifA. L. HAMILTON. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor The Jain Temple, Calcutta * .. … VOL. LXII JUNE, 1939 NO.6 I'OR OVBR 100 YBARS "We always enjoy greatly reading THB WAY HAS BBBN Publication and Busines" Olllce- Third and Reily St•. , Harri£burg, Pa. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. I wish Editorial and Executive UlIlce– every minister could take it." 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-ciass matter at REV. FREDERICK G. COAN. Claremont, Calif. Post Olllce, Harrisburg. Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. * .. * 25 cellts a copy-$2.50 a year. "Your magazine fills a place which Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. no other missionary magazine quite All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. British agents – Marshall, Morgan fills." F. A. GOETSCH, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London. E. C 1 shilling per copy, Executive Secretary of the 10 sh!Jlings a year. Board of Foreign Missions, Evangelical Synod of N. A. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC. … * …
BOARD OF DIRECTORS A CORRECTION ROBERT Eo SPEER, President Rev. E. E. Elder, the author of the A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre.•idcnt article in our December (1938) num- WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer ber: "What is the Koran?" is a mem- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary ber of the United Presbyterian PAUL J. BRAISTED Mission in Cairo, Egypt, from Meshed, SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Persia. The Rev. John Elder. of Ham- D. J. FANT adan, Iran, is a missionary of the MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Obituary Notes SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Dr. Dan B. Brummitt, editor of the PaO Editorial Chat Central and Northwestern editions of The Christian Advocate, died April 5 Let the comfort of mOclern liners and the secur- This is our Home Mission Number. in Kansas City, almost on the eve of ity of British seamanship enhance your voy· The field is so large and varied and the uniting conference. Dr. Brummitt age. Whenever you are called to the other we have so recently devoted special was an outstanding religious editor side of the world, choose this traditional reute. numbers to the City (June, 1938), of our time, and ardently upheld Cross to England by a modern transatlantic Rural Problems, The Negro, Orientals Christian democracy in journalism. liner and then embark in a great liner of the and Spanish – Speaking Americans, Few knew that the weekly column of p & 0 and British India fleets, led by the new that some of these important topics wit and wisdom, filled with the spirit 23,500-ton Strathallan. StrathmoHl, and Strathare not treated here. Other articles of Christ, and signed "Justus Timber- eden carrying First and Tourist Classes. Airthat have appeared in recent issues line," was written by the editor. conditioned dining saloons in First Class, hot deal with and cold running water throughout, built-in Rev. John A*. Si*lsb*y, retired Pres- out-door swimming pools. children's play- A Cathedral on Wheels (April, rooms! Regular service to Egypt. Sudan. Iran- 1938) byterian missionary to East China, ian Gulf. India. Burma. Ceylonl& Straits Settle- ments, China. Japan, Australia. East and Migrant Workers (April, 1938) died in Hayward, California, March 4. South Africa. Mauritius. Special reductions The Whole Community (July, 1938) In 1890 he became principal of Lowrie and generous baggage allowance for American Indians (February, 1939) missionaries. Missions in Alaska (April, 1939) Institute for Boys, the oldest school Problems of a Midwest City (Sep- in Shanghai and one of the oldest in tember, 1938) China. * .. * Other articles on Home Missions Mr. Frank A. Horne, Vice-President will appear later. of the Board of Foreign Missions of *** the Methodist Church for twenty-two If you are leaving your present mailing address for the summer, years and chairman of the Methodist Convenient throuqh bookinqs can kindly send word as soon as possible be arranqed by your travel aqent. with the address to which you wish Book Committee, died March 22 at the to have your C!}py of THE REVIEW age of seventy. He had been a mem- Or apply at 25 Broadway. 638 Fit~h forwarded. Please mention dates of Ave.• N. Y. . . . or any ottice of your absence from home and mail to ber of six consecutive General Con- Subscription Department, MISSl()NARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, 3rd & Reily ferences since 1916 and a member of , Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. There will be the Board of Foreign Missions since no August number of THE REVIEW 1906. CUNARD WHllf. ~lAR printed. Person.I Item. ,. ents for 'T A. Among the c*om*men*ts on THE RE- General 9 (Concluded from 2d cover.) VIEW received recently from readers ANO OR,eN are the following: In the war zone, missionaries and New Life workers give first aid to fleN'NSU.AR. S:teAt" "I used THE REVIEW a great deal victims of Japanese guns and bru- . t 'NO'A with my recent review of 'The Amer- tality. Then refugees get clothing, ",G ANO BRl'T'S COMflAN,eS ican City and Its Church,' and found food and transportation away from it exceedingly helpful to make the danger zones. Refugees must find NA A'T,ON mission study book more interesting. new farms, jobs, homes. Even in "free China" there is the perenl'lial problem of famine.-NeW8week.
[273]
B. D. WEEKS AND MRS . ROBERTA CAMPBELL, WITH INDIAN STUDENTS OF BACONE COLLEGE (Baptist
INDIAN PILLARS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH ( Congregational), REV. AND MRS. W. DAVID OWJ~, SENE CA, N. Y. MR. OWL ELTON, LOUISIANA IS THE' INDIAN PASTOR ON THE RESERVATION REV. AND MRS. SILAS, OJIBWAY REV. ROBT, PAUL CHAAT THREE I NDIAN RECTORS IN TRIBE (Reformed Church) SOUTH DAKOTA SOME AMERICAN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LEADERS (see page 299) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1939 Topics of the Times RELIGION IN THE WORLD TOMORROW Gospel messages are not excluded. A very defi- nite Christian note in the "WorId of Tomorrow"
The New York World's Fair, which opened on is sounded in a small concession paid for by the Sunday, April 30, is an impressive spectacle. It "Gideons," where they can exhibit Bibles and lit- covers 1,216 acres, or nearly two square miles, erature relating their work of Bible distribution on the Flushing Meadows – ~ormer marsh land in hotels and elsewhere. Other attempts to secure commonly called "Corona Dumps." The reclaim- space for the presentation of Christian activities ing of the land, planting thousands of trees, con- and achievements have failed to produce results. structing roads, lagoons. and fountains, and erect- The message and work of Jesus Christ, as the reving buildings, has cost nearly $160,000,000. The elation of God and His Way of Life for the "World exhibits include many interests related to art and of Tomorrow," are not exhibited there, even as education, transportation, housing, manufactures they have not been at other national expositions.
and inventions, various national, state and foreign The Fair is devoted to the humanistic ideals, to buildings, as well as areas devoted to amusements, the strictly material and temporal hopes. and sports and restaurants. achievements, rather than to things that relate to The Fair is being visited daily by from 100,000 God, to spiritual ideals and Eternal Life. to 300,000 persons who are expected to spend This is, perhaps, not surprising. Men today do from two to twenty-five dollars each (from May not agree in their conception of God and His Way to November), making a total of perhaps of Life. Any attempt to present Christ, and all $500,000,000 to be spent during the season. The for which He stands, unfortunately often provokes Fair thus provides much that is of interest and oontroversy. But there are naturally many who value. Most people can find there what they are would present what they believe to be the vital most interested to see – beautiful flowers and truths and most dynamic forces in the world of tofoliage, human nature of all sorts and conditions, day and for the World of Tomorrow. The Temple the wonders of modern science and industry, the of Religion has been severely criticized as a weak beauties of music and art, amusements for every attempt to recognize an "unknown God" to whom, taste-high and low. in some way, men may have some responsibility.
It is in the realm of religion that the Fair is Dr. George W. Arms, a pastor in Brooklyn, New lacking. If the "World of Tomorrow" can offer York, calls the Temple of Religion "the devil's nothing more than is here provided there is no smokescreen to hide from the people the Cross outlook for more than a very vague worship of of Jesus Christ and the true issues at stake in the some "unknown God" and a faint hope for the pro- foundation of democracy, and to blind them with motion of peace, brotherly kindness and social serv- a false sense of security."
ice. The Jews have a Hebrew Temple and a Pal- No doubt this is an extreme view, but is it not estine exhibit; Christian Science is represented true that in this presentation of the "World of by a building with a reading room and literature; Tomorrow" there is no recognition of the God who the Y. M. C. A. building includes a restroom and has created the wonderful world in which we live, restaurant; there is a "Temple of Religion," has loved the world of mankind enough to give where music and pageants are presented. The Himself that men might have life, and to whom atmosphere is restful and dignified. Distinctly the world of yesterday and today owes everything [275 ]
worth knowing, doing or possessing? After all union was effected in Great Britain, two hundred the American nation was established by men who years after John Wesley began his work that rebelieved in God and who desired a home where sulted in Methodism. There are still several they could worship Him and could live in the way Methodist churches outside the union-the Free that Jesus Christ made possible. The Bible, as Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, the African the Word of God, the Sabbath as the Lord's Day M. E., the African M. E. Zion, and the Colored and Christ as the Son of God and Saviour, cannot Methodist Episcopal, numbering in all about safely be ignored in the "World of Tomorrow." 1,600,000 more American Methodists.
What can be done to make up in some degree This large body of Christians, now organically for what is lacking in Christian emphasis in the united into one Methodist Church, can accomplish World's Fair? At the Columbian Exposition in great things for the Kingdom of God, under wise, Chicago in 1893, the most potent Christian in- consecrated leadership, if they are truly motifluence was the series of great evangelistic meet- vated, instructed and empowered by the ideals and ings conducted by Dwight L. Moody, where there spirit of Christ. As Dr. John R. Mott, a promwere addresses day and night by outstanding inent Methodist, said at Kansas City: "We have Christian teachers from many lands. In these united to accomplish together things that we canmeetings it is estimated a million people heard not do separately. We must not be satisfied with the Gospel and thousands of them were won to past achievements or with the present situation. Christ. In New York City and its suburbs there An increase in our aggressive missionary work is is a similar opportunity. There is no limit to the one of the tasks which we must now undertake personal work that may be done among visitors to with new vigor." the Fair. Gospels and other literature may be given out to the crowds in hotels, in subways and The new Methodist Church has been divided terat the entrances to the grounds. Parents can ritorially into seven sections or "Jurisdictions"- interpret the exhibits to children from a Christian the Northern, North Central, Western, South point of view. The Calvary Bapti.st Church of Central, Central, South Eastern and Foreign- New York and other churches are kept open all with thirty-six bishops, located at different cenday and some are holding special services where ters. There are also seven missionary Bishops the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be presented. In appointed by the Central Conference. all this there is the ministry of prayer in which all Christians can engage day and night. Christ- The Uniting Conference took a strong stand like lives and friendly service by those who con- against intoxicants and war and adopted the exfess His name will mean much more to visitors cellent "Social Creed" of the Methodist Church, to the Fair than any material exhibits could pos- South. The educational work will be conducted sibly mean. A truly Christian exhibit, presenting under a single board with two divisions, one carthe results of Christian teaching and work in ing for institutions and the other directing reli- America and in all other lands would be a con- gious education in local churches. The confervincing evidence that, if the world is to advance ence was unable to settle the question of a church today and tomorrow, men must .accept God as He periodical-whether it is to be one great national is revealed in Jesus Christ and must follow His paper or several jurisdictional papers with one Way of sacrificial love and eternal life, if they purpose and plan and under one general editor. are to live joyously and victoriously. A commission was appointed to study the question and report. AMERICAN METHODISTS AND THEIR MISSIONS The missionary work of these three uniting churches, which have formerly been conducted The union of the three Methodist Churches in under a number of boards-Home and Foreign, the United States – the Methodist Episcopal General and Women's-will henceforth be under Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, one General Board that will have charge of misand the Methodist Protestant Church, as finally sionary policy and program; the details of adcompleted at Kansas City, brings together into ministration, the choice of fields, the selection of one organic body the largest number of Protes- personnel and the administration of funds, will tants in anyone Church. The total membership be in charge of three administrative divisionsof this united church is approximately 8,000,000, Foreign Missions, Home Missions and Church distributed all over the United States and all over Extension, and Woman's Work-each with its the world, from Alaska in the North to Chile in own executive secretaries. The General Board the South, and from East to West around the will consist of twenty-four men and twenty-four globe. It will be called "The Methodist Church." women, with the bishops.
:r.hi~ ~nion takes place in America, as .a si.roiJar The missionary work of the new Methodist Church will be world-wide, with 1,400 foreign missionaries, 13,500 on their native staff, com- .m~J).i~a,nt§l Jl1 eleven forei~n ~oU.I).tri~t'I ,lUmbering
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
over 270,000 and total annual budgets of ing possible journeys in a day that formerly took a $3,000,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church has month; the telephone, telegraph and radio have had the largest work, conducted in forty-two mis- practically obliterated distance and have united sion areas; the Methodist, South, has worked in the country; the pr'omotion of literacy by the nine of the same areas and Methodist Protestants phonetic method and the increase of general modin three of these fields. Many of the Methodist ern education have set new standards of life and missIon churches are already united where they thought; newspapers and other literature have have work in the same areas. linked China to the outside world and have helped to break down barriers; many foolish and harm-' The first General Conference of the Methodist ful taxes have been abolished and public revenues Church is set for April, 1940. Ecumenical or have been used to meet public need rather than to world-wide Methodism is explained by Bishop fill private purses; before the Japanese invasion Frederick D. Leete as follows: the external credit of China increased with grow- ing export and import trade; mines and other nat- "The purposes of the ecumenical Methodist ural resources have been developed where for- Church are three. One is to catholicize and frater- merly important areas were reserved for burial nalize Methodists everywhere by correspondence, grounds of ancestors; the sta;bilizing of the curvisitation, and world meetings, bringing far-flung rency with a new coinage system and banking reorganizations of the same faith nearer to the fact forms have improved the financial structure of as well as to the concept and ideal of unity. An- the country; the New Life Movement, fostered by other is to encourage and report on the Methodist Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-shek, has mission and its achievements, extending its mu- spread new ideas for public and private life; the tual evangelistic and reformatory movements new leaders in the government have proved themwhich minister to all human needs. The third is selves patriotic,courageous, intelligent, highto assist and advance the total Christian program minded, strong and unselfish-and many of them attempted by all Christian bodies in the name and are Christians. spirit of Christ. All this was being accomplished and was on the "The world alliance of Methodist churches has way for more complete fulfilment when the Japtwo branches. The Western branch represents anese military party (in 1937) undertook to "come the Methodist denominations of the Americas and to the rescue of Chinese," to make their neighbor of the Orient. The Eastern represents Methodist "more friendly," to "put down communism" and bodies of the British Empire in various parts of extend Japanese civilization and control! the world and of the countries of continental Europe." The Japanese have done what a century had not accomplished in unifying China. The unmistak- CHINA'S VICTORIES OF PEACE able evidences of Christianity, as seen in the lives of the Christian missionaries, have abolished the The progress made in great slow-moving, con- anti-Christian spirit in China. servative China since the founding of the Republic in 1911, is unparalleled in history. This is espe- The judgment of many intelligent observers is cially remarkable when we consider the immense that China today, in the midst of her tribulations, extent of the territory (ten times the size of Japan offers the greatest opportunity for Christian adproper); the huge population (over ten times vance anywhere in the world, while Japan is probthat of the British Isles); the former lack of ably one of the most difficult fields for sowing and political, linguistic and cultural unity in its eight- reaping spiritual harvests. The reasons are not een provinces; the scarcity of newspapers, rail- hard to discover. The Chinese realize more and roads and other means of communication; the more the uncertainty of this life and the passing prevalence of graft among officials and the pov- values of material possessions. In their distress erty of the masses. All this and more was true and extremity they turn to God, as their only hope. thirty years ago. He is manifested to them in the lives and sacrifi- cial service of missionaries and Chinese followers Since the Boxer Rebellion, and especially in the of Christ. God is proving to be a very present past fifteen years, new China has become united help in trouble and Jesus Christ is a true friend under one central government; graft has been dis- and Saviour. The Chinese leaders also set an explaced by patriotism; warlords and bandits have ample of Christian faith and courage that appeals given place to intelligent and trained officials and to the people. Idols and false gods are recognized an organized national army; economic reconstruc- as powerless. The one hope for humanity is in tion has made great strides; railroads and good the one True God, as revealed in Christ; the God highways have been built across the country link- of love, of righteousness and of power. ing all important cities; motor bus service has taken the place of "the wheelbarrow and mule-lit- The Japanese on the other hand are turning ter i public airplane lines have been extendedl mak-
more to temporal power, and put their faith and is the convincing evidence of the Living Christ as hope in material things, in armaments and armies, the Saviour of men. in stern discipline and a human program. Their national leaders turn back to the Sun Goddess, to Spirit-filled missionaries in every land agree in national heroes, to Shinto Shrines and emperor their testimony that, while methods of missionary worship. National ambition, laws and standards work may vary in different lands and under diftake precedence over the eternal laws of God and fering conditions, the one essential is a true pres- .His standards of truth, righteousness and love as entation of Christ by consecrated witness. revealed in Jesus Christ. VELLORE MEDICAL COLLEGE, INDIA WITNESSING TO PILGRIMS IN INDIA Dr. William Decker, a Baptist missionary, formerly in China, who has recently sej:!n the VeI- In India, says Dr. E. Stanley Jones, a time of lore Medical School in action, reports: a greater Christian harvest seems to be coming. "I saw Dr. Ida Scudder's hospital, the indus- Old superstitions and prejudices are gradually trial work, as well as a new departure in agricul- breaking down, and thinking Indians are more tural missions which is a most promising venture.
and more seeking truth and liberty, such as can Perhaps .outstanding, however, was two or three be found only in Christ. On the other hand, na- hours with a roadside medical unit doing dispen- tional ambition, economic needs, and intellectual sary work, and making injections for leprosy- contacts with other nations, lead many to empha- from an ambulance drawn up at the roadside." size political power, materialism, and skepticism. The Christians in India are awake to the situa- Dr. Scudder and her staff have treated as many tion and are emphasizing evangelism, not only as a thousand lepers in one day in these roadside among depressed classes, but among pilgrims, clinics. VeIlore combines a medical college, a students and caste Hindus. nurses training school, and X-ray and radium de- partment, an out-patient clinic, four roadside clin- A special retreat and conference, held at Be- ics and Gudiyattam Hospital; a maternity hospinares, in April, brought together Christian work- tal, a children's hospital, and an operating theater. ers from different centers to consider work among The hospital has 250 beds. All these are operated Hindu pilgrims, Sadhus and Sanyasies. The on annual gifts of about $48,000, .of which Amerievangelists came from Puri, where the temple of ca contributes $25,000. Does any institution in Janannath draws thousands of pilgrims to wor- the United States operate as many departmentsship; from Calcutta, Patna, Behar, Ayodhya medical, surgery, pathology, bacteriology, anat- (birthplace of Sita and Ram) and from !tarsi, omy, biology, eye, ear, nose and throat, maternity, Muttra, Brindaban and Benares. These repre- ante-natal clinic and gynecology-treating in one sentatives met for prayer and conference and to year 3,398 in-patients, 44,484 out-patients, 20,060 report on methods and results in their work. An roadside patients. and 1,321 in the maternity ward organization was formed to promote work among -at such a small expense? the pilgrims. Jesus Christ, where faithfully presented by teaching and life, appeals strongly to The decree has now gone forth that, by 1942 Hindus, even if they are not ready to break away at the latest, the school must be raised to a college from their old religions. The following points standard of M. B. B. S. which is equivalent to an were emphasized in the discussions: American M.D. That will require an endowment of $700,000 to support ten more doctors, and pro- 1. Hinduism should be studied so as to develop vide for medical research, public health work and understanding and to equip the messenger to medicine; also $300,000 is needed for extra buildpreach the Gospel. ings and equipment. Here is a great oPP.ortunity 2. The truth and sufficiency of Christ and His to strengthen this great interden.ominati.onal hos- teaching should be stressed and exemplified more pital, medical college and nurses training school than the weakness and deficiencies of Hinduism. in South India.
A "full and positive Gospel of the Living Christ" *** is the need of the hour. Dr. Scudder expects to be in America next year, after 3. Only simple, sincere and practical conse- completing her forty years of service in India. The pro- crated Christianity of the apostolic type is effec- gram of Jesus Christ given in the doctor's Gospel (Luke tive to meet the vital needs of Hindus. 4: 22) is being carried out today at Vellore. Dr. Scudder asks Christians to pray that this great work into which 4. Collective witness and cooperative Christian she and other American, British and Indian women have work is necessary to offset the influences of the put their lives, may be continued.
united forces of Hinduism.
5. The guidance and power of the Spirit of God Miss Hilda Olson, of Rockport, Massachusetts, is the American Treasurer of the Veilore Medical College.
Is New in Home Missions?
By the REV. MARK. A. DAWBER, New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council How many, many times I have been asked strong centers of support for the Christian cause. this question during the past years, and Others have passed through the settling down now I am requested to write an article on process and, due to the disintegrating forces of the subject! The answer in a word is that there land erosion, land speculation and exploitation, is nothing that is basically new in Home Missions. the people again need missionary aid. To make the Gospel available to the disadvantaged people or to those who, for various reasons, have Many descendants of the early settlers, who not been reached with the ministry of the Church, became farm tenants in the agricultural depresis still the primary task of the Home Missions sion immediately following the World War, are now being displaced by the all-purpose tractor enterprise. and large-scale agriculture. An outstanding illus- But in another sense, everything is new. The tration is that of a Mississippi Delta planter who question raised is symbolic of the age in which formerly had 160 tenant farmers. He purchased we live; it anticipates change, it suggests that the 22 tractors and now he needs to employ only 30 thinking person is conscious that something is families to work by the day. happening to human life in America, and that new demands are being made upon institutions, such Family Life and Migrant Workers as Home Missions, that· are engaged in the task of ministering to people who, because of chang- Thousands of American families must now ing situations, are unable to support a church, or travel to find employment. The family continues who are no longer accessible to the religious min- to sleep as a unit, to consume as a unit, but it no istry of the normal established church in more longer is able to produce wealth as a unit from settled communities. its own property. Because the family has lost this basis of productive property the American Old Americans and Old Frontiers family, as a fundamental natural productive unit, is well-nigh destroyed. Food, clothing and shelter, Home Missions was the child of the frontier. the basic essentials for living and the sources from That thrilling episode of American history that whence they come, are now gathered up into huge records the daring and heroism of the early interlocking hands of incorporated commercial pioneers, who crossed the Rockies and blazed the owners and distributors. With this centralization trail into what was then the American wilderness, and industrialization of food, clothing and shelter, was also the record of the first organized Home the last vestiges of American freedom and security Mission work. This frontier is no longer with us are wiped out. For many of these people there in the sense in which it obtained a hundred years is no available land upon which to build and own ago. There are still geographical frontiers, but better homes; there is no land for the production they are not the challenge to the population move- and consumption at home-the only efficient and ments such as obtained in the days of the early conserving land economy. This is something new Home Mission era. in our American life and brings with it new prob- But the frontier ideal has always dominated the lems for Home Missions. Home Mission enterprise. People seeking new This situation raises some interesting and peropportunities to secure their democratic heritage as American citizens, ever pressing on to what plexing questions. What is happening to this would provide a better opportunity to earn a live- land of opportunity, democracy, freedom and se- curity? What is happening to the millions of lihood, build a home and bring up a family-these acres of homestead land? What is happening to ever made their appeal to the Home Mission this. land where it was once possible for the poor- agencies. est to build homes for their children? Weare A century has passed and many old frontier being reduced to slavish workers in the homes communities have become established centers of and fields that once we owned. This process of culture and religion. They no longer need the dispossession is having a serious effect upon thouministrations of Home Missions but have become sands of American citizens.
[279 ]
Others have accepted a wage in place of owner- of certain types of industry from the North to the ship, a tenant shack for a home, a city street for South, in order to take advantage of cheap labor, a few acres of land; some have substituted the has had an adverse effect on many towns.
faint promise of a quick fortune for a permanent Communities that for years have sustained a home and a family on a few acres that would, self-supporting church with a full-time ministry under careful management, have provided secu- are now obliged to seek aid from their denomina- rity. This transition from the farm family to the tional mission board. The demands now made urban tenement industrialist is creating new upon these agencies are far beyond their ability problems for the church that place a heavy re- or finances; they can help only a small number sponsibility upon Home Mission agencies. of the churches in these areas of recent distress.
There is nothing new to America in a migrant The fact that many members of these churches population. Always we have had them. But our are receiving aid from federal and state relief distinctive migrant groups today present some agencies does not help very much. The conscious- new and difficult problems. ness that they are the recipients of relief has Twenty-five years ago the migrants. were drawn sapped the morale of many of these people, and in the main from a few of the racial groups, par- as a result their religious need is greater than ticularly the Mexicans, Italians and Filipinos. ever. This also is new in Home Missions.
Now the majority of these groups are thedescend- The Southern Highlands ants of the older American families. They are to be found in various sections of the country, but There i~ great danger that the emphasis upon the bulk of this migrant group is on the Pacific the plight of the sharecroppers and the low- Coast. wage industrial workers will overshadow the A ten-year depression, together with droughts equally great needs of other groups, such as the and dust-bowl conditions, has created a new millions who live in the Southern Highlands. The exodus of impoverished farm people who have conditions of the sharecropper, the industrial continued to press their way to the Pacific Coast. worker and the migrant, have been publicized, They have swamped California and are making but not so the Southern Highlanders. Fiction and that state aware of their existence in a way that romance have been written about these people the Mexican and Oriental farm laborers could (and there is much to be written), but the socio- never do. The state is struggling desperately logical story has not been told. The romantic with the problem, seeking to prevent any further story of the Anglo-Saxon rugged mountaineer inroads of these people from Arkansas and Okla- with his quaint language and colonial customs has homa. But this alone doesl not solve the problem. obscured the poverty of the coves, the mountain It is easy for people who are remote from the farms, and the thin soil of the plateaus.
scene of this human tragedy to indulge in moral Drastic changes are taking place among these criticism, but it is not easy for a state, already people. As recently as fifty years ago the High- burdened with relief, to accept a sudden inrush lander with his log cabin, his rifle and his spin- of 100,000 needy people. Driven off the cotton ning wheel was on a par as to standard of living lands by the tractor, driven off the wheat lands with the other pioneers of the prairie cabin, the by the drought and the combine, drawn by the log hut, or sod house. The wooded hillsides fur- strange tide which pulls. the white race westward, nished timber and game. Now the timber is gone the impoverished people have been pouring into and the game with it; also, it should be said, the the West, dogged by disease and hunger, too proud meagre income is gone that was once provided.
to accept charity, willing to work for any wages. The mountaineers have multiplied so that they The result is a condition that calls for action by have been compelled to cultivate the steep moun- the Nation, State and the Church. The Church, tain sides in a desperate effort to make a living.
through the Council of Women for Home Mis- The following summary of conditions will help sions, with very limited finances, is struggling to us to understand the modern needs of these people.
grapple with a herculean task. The size and the (The teachers of some 13,232 children in moun- character of this migrant group present many tain schools supplied the information.) Children new problems for Home Missions. needing clothing, 38%; shoes 32'10; milk 27'10 ; New Distressed Areas soap 42 %; hot lunches 45 %; school supplies 26 %; library books 80 '10. Any consideration of With the coming of new materials, new tech- the changing needs and demands in Home Mis- niques, mass production and the machine, there sions must take cognizance of the Southern High- has developed a new type of distress. Towns and lands. Dr. Odum of the University of North Car- villages, and some cities, have been seriously af- olina has well said that these "retarded frontiers"
fected by the recent innovations of science and will have to pass through several stages of devel- labor-saving devices, Furthermore, the movement opment, not only in improved economic conditions,
WHAT IS NEW IN HOME MISSIONS?
but development as it applies to the human ele- vantaged groups in America during the days of ment. Moreover, we are dealing with a very the "New Deal" administration have also created different type of mountain youth today than we new problems for the home mission agencies. were twenty-five years ago. They too are creating new demands upon State and school and Church. The resettlement projects, like Arthurdale and Cumberland Homesteads, present an opportunity The depression years have also brought great for religious work. Here some 250 families are changes among the people of other countries, reestablished on what amounts to subsistence groups who have anticipated coming to America, levels of living. The people will have little cash and among the immigrants who have come to this with which to support a church, so that the miscountry in recent years. Immediately following sion boards are under pressure to provide a minthe World War a different attitude developed to- istry. This is also true of many of the rehousing ward these foreign countries. No longer was projects in the cities where slum clearance has America to remain the "open door" to the peoples taken place. It is well-nigh impossible to reach of the world. Before the World War, European these people with the established churches in nearimmigration to the United States reached a high by territory. The approach must be made on an peak and as many as 1,285,000 immigrant aliens interdenominational basis, so that agencies like were received in a single year. The revised im- the Home Missions Council have an important migration law of 1921 limited the number of aliens function to perform in arranging the program and coming to this country in a single year to 3'70 of providing a Christian ministry to such commua given nationality already in the country. This nities. reduced the number to 358,000 in a year. In 1924 the immigration act was again revised to limit By its very nature the Church finds these changes more difficult than most other instituthe quotas to 2 '70 of the resident population of tions. It is identified with values that are time- less, and these values are often conceived of as not any nationality, based upon the earlier census of being affected by these matter-of-fact changes in 1890 as against 1920. our human and material universe. Rooted in the past and sanctified by age, the Chur·ch finds It is hardly necessary to say that this restric- change necessarily a painful process. Yet those tion has wide implications for Home Missions. who really love Christ and the Church, and are Add to it the further fact that, in many cases, alive to the facts that confront us in modern life, more of some nationalities were leaving America will gladly sacrifice the outmoded in order that the for their native land than were coming in under Kingdom of God may be advanced. A living the new restrictions, and it is readily seen that the Church is one that will make the adjustment in Home Missions program to these groups would its program and equipment in order to fit it for undergo drastic changes. These adjustments are the ministry to which it is called at a given time. now in process-consolidation of foreign language The home mission agencies are alive to these churches, the assimilation of the second and third changes that are taking place. They are far generation by the English-speaking church, ex- ahead of their general ecclesiastical bodies in their periments with interdenominational work among insight into these problems and in their willingthese groups-these and other movements mark ness to make the necessary adjustments. They the changes that must be made by the mission are hindered only by the lack of morat and finanboards in their ministry to New Americans. cial support.
The various programs of rehabilitation, resettlement and rehousing of depressed and disad- AS PROF. EINSTEIN NOW SEES THE OHUROH "Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the univer- sities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the universities were immediately silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. Then I looked to the individual writers, who, as literary guides of Germany had written much and often con- cerning the place of freedom in modern life; but they, too, were mute.
"Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing the truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." ALBERT EINSTEIN; quoted in The Living Church.
Among Ozark
By PAUL A. WOBUS, Manchester, Missouri Director of Mountain Work in the Ozarks "you ought to go to Vichy if you're looking "You ought to go to Short Bend," said a man for a spiritually-neglected place," said a on the road. "No church there at all; virgin ter- friend when he heard that I had been dele- ritory. No opposition-no prejudices."
gated to find an opening in the Ozarks for work I went to all four points-and many others. I to be sponsored by what was then the Evangelical had been asked to select any area where no other Synod. "It seems to be quite a center, judging church was effectively serving. "Of course,"
from the number of people who gather there for added the genial chairman of the committee, "you the Saturday night when the fiddlers sway to need not go all the way down to the Arkansas line.
More than likely you'll find a field nearer to your home on the outskirts of St. Louis."
My observations revealed several typical Ozark church situations.
Vichy is truly a center. It boasts a population of 210, which, in the sparsely settled rural sec- tions of the Ozarks, is not small. I happened to come to this town on a Friday, and found there a large gathering of some kind. Inquiry brought out that the banker was a member of the official board of the church which was still intact. He said that he was interested in having an active church. The town needed it and he would give his support.
"May we use the building for services tomor- row night and Sunday morning?" I asked.
"Why-er-that is, the time is so short. The house needs cleaning up, there is no oil in the lamps, and a window pane is out. And [this was the real hitch] we'd have to see the district super- intendent about it. What denomination did you say you are connected with?"
We were face to face with one of those tragic DIFFICULTIES OF CHURCH GOING IN SHANN'ON COUNTY cases, where a dead organization is an obstacle in the way of any live effort. Cobwebs and dust yield their tunes for the old-time square dances. Dur- readily to an energetic arm ; window panes can ing my two weeks' vacation there I found that the be replaced; but ecclesiastical machinery, always village church has been closed for some time." cumbersome, may block the path to progress. In rural areas this is felt even more than in cities. "You, ought to go to Lesterville," said an Ozarkian. "Yes, I know they have a church there, *** but it does not serve the community. It is practically dead." Lesterville's sole church organization was functioning after a fashion. Of the strict immer- "You ought to go to Antioch," s,aid a druggist sionist type, it had about fifty members, six or in an Ozark county seat. "It's the very place for eight of whom were said to be active. The pasthe work you have in mind. Two churches at tor, a man of more than average ability, came once Antioch, both defunct; one at Gill and a fourth a month from another church 121 miles south, at Stone Hill, in the same state. Unite these four over roads which a decade and a half ago were into one strong church at a logical center. An- none too good. _ tioch is ready for you~the people are tired of It was not difficult to get a good attendance for divisive sectarianism." the monthly services we conducted at Lesterville.
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EXPERIENCES AMONG OZARK MOUNTAINEERS
Of much help was a devout Presbyterian, whose and which then is open to anyone and everyone family belonged to the local church, he himself who cares to use it. We had early come to know could not feel at home in its atmosphere of exclu- of several such churches, but they were standing siveness. He dreamed with us of a community idle most of the time for want of an organization church where people of all creeds could worship or a responsible group to make sure of a definite, our common Master, Christ. The postmistress, continuous program of worship, service and study. also a member of the church, rendered friendly Short Bend still does not have a church, but all help. THE' SHANNONDALE COMMUNITY HOUSE Not many months elapsed before the seemingly defunct organization took on a new lease on life. manner of sects have put forth spasmodic efforts Giving them credit for being sincere in their efforts, and consistent with our ideals of a united there. *** Christendom, we slackened our own pace lest we divide the community. When we ceased to be Eminence, a county seat town, is an example aggressive the ardor of the local church rapidly of yet another type of sectarian sniping. At one cooled. time there had been four church organizations- two of them of the immersionist persuasion. After some years of this sort of procedure, the These four used the union church building in a immersionists had thawed out to such a degree peaceful way-one Sunday every month for each. that we withdrew altogether. The local church In time one of the immersionistchurches, and made some gains, increased its active member- one of the other kind, died. The other two were ship, and improved the property, which originally of about equal strength. Voices were raised in had been intended as a community building. We favor of a community church, but we were undid not feel inclined to open a dispute over its pos- able to enter this field. session, but a number of people,among them some of the very best citizens, did not, and perhaps Then there came to the non-immersionist group never will, affiliate with a church of this type. a young minister with a determination to climb. Their dream of a community church is unrealized He won the ecclesiastical approval he courted by because they want to be generous with those of whipping up the enthusiasm of his congregation their friends and neighbors whose church life to the point of erecting their own church building. makes them narrow-minded. There are many His frie.nds predicted that with such "success" to Lestervilles in the Ozarks! his "credit" he would rise high among the clergy of the land. They prophesied that he would be *** called to the pulpit of a large city church. He did not get such a call before he had widened the Rather against our own judgment, but in re- breach in this little Ozark town which now has sponse to a very definite call, we entered the An- two church buildings where one would suffice. tioch-Stone Hill neighborhood. The four churches of that locality belonged to two sects. The natives *** asked us to merge the two of one kind which still had some life in them. The other two seemed The Ozarkian is by nature deeply religious.. He beyond the possibility of revival, even to the is the descendant of a people who not only were preacher who had hastily organized them, yet the well-grounded on the Bible but who reserved for old organization had some adherents whose te- themselves the right to interpret it. Jealously nacity was worthy of a noble cause. guarding their liberty, they freely grant it to others. A relatively small percentage are mem- *** bers of a church and these are scattered among many sects. Our difficulty lies not, with those At Short Bend, where we held a number of services as we were forming contacts throughout this section of the Ozarks, there was no debris of any existing organization to clear away. An obstacle was the cityward exodus on the part of those whose enthusiasm welded the community together. There was also a misconception of the community church.
We had held two services in the schoolhouse at Short Bend and then somebody spoke of building a church. The entire group seemed to fall in line and, being very new in the Ozark work at that time, we hailed this suggestion with delight. Many Ozarkians speak of a union church, meaning one which the entire community helps to build
outside the Church, but with those church mem- agencies trained and equipped for guiding the bers who fail to act like Christians. physical, cultural, social, economic and religious development of the region. We must also remember that overchurching is really underchurching and leads to spiritual de- *** pression. It is easy to effect a new organization and to erect another church building-lumber be- After several years of orientation and reconing cheap. There is a smug satisfaction in cling- noitering we began to concentrate at Stone Hill, ing tenaciously to a creed and in thinking that all Bixby, and in northern Shannon County, Misthat religion means is to defend it with great zeal. souri.
This sectarian zeal has wrought untold havoc in At Stone Hill we did succeed in merging two the Ozarks. As soon as one responsible group decadent churches. Some years later, in response undertakes an adequate ministry, an astonishingly to desire of the people, a community church was large number of self-appointed preachers comes organized. The wounds caused by old-time diforth to complicate the work. "There is a visive sectarianism have by no means been healed; preacher behind .every stump," in the picturesque the preachers of other sects do not always refrain language of an Ozarkian. If somebody would hold from interference with the good work that is be- ing done; but we go on, preaching and teaching AT A COMMUNITY GATHERING IN THE OZARKS the unifying power of Christian love. One handi- cap is. that the denomination which relinquished the preachers in check, we would feel competent the field to us fifteen years ago still owns the to deal with the laity! church building and makes an effort now and then to come back. The Sunday school has gone on Villages and small towns are the worst suffer- uninterruptedly for 61 years. ers from over-churching in the Ozarks. Hamlets and the open country have fewer churches for *** their population. At Bixby we entered a field in which no reli- What is it, then, that we set out to accomplish gious work had ever been done until our native in our ministry to the Ozarks? Briefly this, to Ozarkian evangelist, the Rev. Zenith F. Yount, bring the Gospel of God's redemptive love to all, preached the first sermon there. One month later, regardless of man-made barriers and creedal di- when I accompanied him to Bixby for what I visions. We seek to unite in indigenous churches thought would be the second sermon, a man said those who already profess faith in the Lord Jesus to us, "This will be the third service here. Brother Christ and to win others to Him. We aim to Clark slipped in ahead of you, but the place is minister to those who have hitherto been passed yours anyway by squatter's rights." by, and to lift the natives out of their tendency toward an ingrown religion; we want to give A church was organized after a revival which them a consciousness of and a share in, the com- resulted in a most amazing transformation of munion of saints; we would like to make the what was once known as the toughest little spot Church the institution from which radiate whole- in the Ozarks. The work is going forward in some influences on all of life, by cooperating with spite of occasional inroads by various types of "Holiness groups" who like to meet at just the time of Pastor Yount's bi-monthly appointments. When they asked for the use of the building- which is a remodeled store, purchased from funds raised by the sale of used clothing-a real prob- lem arose. Some of the church members were quick to refuse, while others felt that they should be hospitable. Showers of rain one Sunday set- tled the question-nobody had the heart to turn anyone out. Such revivals stir up great enthu- siasm for the time, but after it dies down our work continues as before. At Bixby the Sunday school carries on under native leadership.
*** In Shannon County, south of Salem, Missouri, we discovered a large area in which no church of any kind was functioning. It is one of the most rugged sections of the Ozarks, with narrow val- leys along the many streams. The population is sparse, and there were but few people to count on at the start. The community lacked cohesion, yet
THE WORLD NEEDS THE CHURCH
a united church came as the natural result of one More and more calls are coming in from other of the greatest revivals ever held in the Ozarks, communities for a united church. The Ozarkian, conducted by Pastor Yount. Since we wanted keen and alert student of life, is giving this type to serve an extensive parish, the welding together his approval. We believe that by helping the of a number of rural school districts, we worked towards the purchase of a tract on the main high- GOING TO CHURCH IN THE OZARK MOUNTAINS way running through the center of the county from north to south, and named it Shannondale. Ozarks to make a contribution to the spirituality In 1932 a community house was built of native of the world, the efforts of the Evangelical and stone. The Rev. Vincent W. Bucher, who had en- Reformed Church are bearing rich fruit. deared himself to the people of this region as a teacher in Vacation Church Schools, became resident pastor of Shannondale in 1934. Last year the thank-offering of the women of the Evangelical and Reformed Church was used for the erection of a modern manse for the Bucher family.
A group of natives, under the guidance of Mr. Bucher, formed the Shannondale Cooperative Association and operate a store in a building they erected on the same tract. A Folk School, held for three weeks. each year, seeks to enrich life. Weekly recreation and play nights, with also some opportunity for study, are very popular. Besides holding church school and services at the center, Mr. Bucher preaches at a number of isolated schoolhouses.
The World Needs the Church The Commentator has this to say about the na- no freedom is secure. Close the Bible, and what tions and the Church: becomes of a free press? Silence the pulpit, and what is left of free speech? Many of us have vague ideas of religion. We care little for creeds and ceremonies. We leave The value of a church to society-the sermons, the churches to the clergy and spend our time else- the sacraments, the music, the missions, the hospiwhere. Some of us, however, have been startled talities and the pastoral services of the clergy beout of our indifference. We are not as sure as we hind the scenes-is to be measured by a twofold used to be that a world without churches is the standard. A church does good: a church preworld in which we want to live. We feel a need, vents evil. Churches remind us of the weak who and wonder whether churches might not meet this are apt to be trampled under foot, of the sufferers need. who yearn for sympathy, of the bereaved who cry out for consolation, of strangers against whom What arouses us is a contrast. In some coun- prejudice is apt to be fomented, of failures in life tries churches are respected. In other countries who want to make a fresh start. . . . churches are humiliated. Whatever may be our beliefs or unbeliefs, we know which kind of coun- Children within a church form friendships .with try we prefer. Millions are eager to enter coun- other children, similarly situated, and are less tries where churches are active. Millions· are liable to drift into the no-man's-land where eager to escape from countries where churches juvenile delinquency is a danger. . . . are suppressed. . . . After three centuries of experience, this nation still believes in churches. They who condemn churches as obsolete, con- They may differ widely from one another in faiths demn themselves. For churches are not only diand forms of worship. But, jointly and severally, vine. They are human. They are what men and they justify their existence. women enable them to be.
In the fight for democracy against dictatorship This Year of Grace, 1939, challenges civilization. throughout the world, churches and synagogues To uphold civilization is the urgent task. It is not are in the forefront of the hottest battle. They wholly a matter for surprise that churches should stand for freedom of conscience without which be appraised afresh as an ally of society in its hour of grave uncertainty.
South's Number One
The Tenant Farmer – Whence and Whither?
-~ I By the REV. ARCHIE C. SMITH, De Queen, Arkansas I)ae– I N THE fertile river valleys of the Southland posses,sed little or no capital, no land and no tools is found some of the best alluvial land in the with which to farm. Legal emancipation was not world. The God of nature has there provided enough to enable him to establish himself on a man with the means of producing abundant har- self-supporting basis. With only his bare hands vests. Yet it is here, in this land of plenW, that and a willingness to work at the only trade he we find conditions which challenge the social, edu- knew, the Negro turned to the planter for employ- cational and religious institutions of North Amer- ment.
ica. For it is here that we encounter the South's On the other hand the planter possessed large number one economic problem, the share-cropper, tracts of land the cultivation of which required a or more correctly the tenant farmer. As Chris- . tremendous amount of manuallahor. Out of their tians focus their attention upon this problem it is mutual need was born the sharecropper system important to look at the underlying causes as well in which the planter agreed to rent a certain as at the results,. number of acres of farm land in return for a Too frequently have the efforts of Christian share of the crop at harvest. The planter also forces proven futile because they have approached supplied a house, seed, garden patch, farm ani- a solution without understanding the economic mals, and money for food during the time of grow- and social background. An historical inquiry as ing and harvesting the crop. This money with to the South's "Number One Problem" shows the interest was charged to the tenant's account and condition of the tenant farmer to be largely de- deducted from his share of the proceeds from the termined by social and economic factors as well sale of the year's harvest.
as by the use of unchristian ethics on the part of Under this arrangement the rent usually re- both the tenant farmer and the landlord. quired half the year's crop. This system has re- The history of the tenant farmer reaches back mained virtually unchanged until today. Its into the early history of the South. The great greatest weakness is that at best it furnishes to tlie waves of settlers who came from the eastern sea- average tenant but a mere living. Any emergency board were of two sorts, the wealthy planter who that may arise from sickness or crop failure will settled on large tracts of land in the river valleys, often throw the tenant in debt so deep that he is and the poorer farmer who settled on the less fer- always in arrears to the landlord.
tile farms in the hills. The romantic pictures of In this way the tenant was virtually bound to plantation life in the South before the War are the land. His only escape has been to go to another not a true graph of its social structure. Every planter, with whom he eventually found himself river bottom plantation operated: with slave labor, in the same predicament. The development of the was matched by numerous dirt farmers who lived industries of the North and East brought an ave- and labored in the hills. nue of escape. .Labor agents came South and The Civil War brought about the emancip~tion thousands of N~ro tenants went with them to of the slave but it wrought little change in the the North, thus es~aping from their debt burdened social structure of the South. ThehiU farmer status in the farm tenant system.
continued his way earning a living' from·n.is few acres. He chose one of his sons as his successor The Hill Farmer's Troubles on the farm and equipped the others for the trades Meanwhile things were happening to the hill or professions. The planter and his former slaves farmer. Unscientific farming led to the erosion succeeded in effecting an adjustment that enabled and the depletion of the fertility of his land. Year the fertile river valleys to continue to produce a after year decreases in his crop yields lowered his major portion of the world's supply of cotton. To status in the economic scale of the South's agri- supplant the old system of slavery a new system cultural system. His tribe was increasing with was evoIved which was to become known as the each generation and, with his decreasing income, sharecropper plan. The N e gr 0 "freed-man" he was finding it impossible to maintain his posi- [286] . tion in the social order. He was no longer able by every trait of temperament and personality to to educate his sons for the trades and professions enter into an economy which called for the closest therefore his already overburdened acres were cooperation between planter and tenant. He re- called on to support even greater numbers. Lack- belled against the close supervision exercised by ing capital to move to more fertile land his only the planter and friction was inevitable.
recourse was to remain on and eke out an exist- Owing to the inherent weakness of the farm ence of a sort. With his economic strength van- tenant system (tenant indebtedness) the worker's ishing he naturally began to deteriorate socially. meager capital was soon exhausted and his eco- The triune ravages of the South, hookworm, ma- nomic existence came to depend wholly upon his laria and pellagra, were exacting their toll from employer. Unfortunately for many tenants this his physical body, leaving him without energy. attitude was none too favorable. Frequently the The one-room public school was doing its best tenant was fractious and the planter soon tired to provide an education but it seldom did more of the strife that was continuously creeping into than to teach him to read and write and lead him their relationships. Since many tenants were to feel that he had all the educational world had unreliable the planter learned to regard them as to offer. His reaction to conditions beyond the a bad economic risk. Under such conditions realm of his understanding grew to be one of planters felt justified in getting rid of them as stupid suspicion. His personality, locked in the soon as possible. They passed from plantation to vaults of superstition and. ignorance, became a plantation until finally no one would have them.
dwarfed and distorted image of his forbears. Thus hundreds of white tenant families found Religious Decadence themselves thrown on their own pitifully inade- quate resources. They usually found some aban- In his religious life we find the same pitiful doned house and eked out an existence as best story of decadence. The clergy were recruited they could, doing odd jobs. Other white tenants from his. own ranks and made the transition from however succeeded in making the adjustment to the laity to the ministry by the simple expedient the system, until the depression made their posiof swapping the plow and the furrow for the Bible tion insecure. and the pulpit. About all this type of ministry has had to offerits. parishioners. is a very narrow A new factor, in the way of farm management, and limited conception of the broad principles of entered the field. Insurance companies were Christianity. The tenant farmer's faith came to forced to take over and operate many plantations consist of an extreme denominational conscious- to protect investments in southern farm lands ness; it was decidedly negative in character, pos- and established corporations. for the purpose of sessing little of the vital qualities of true Chris- carrying on farming operations. These business tianity. As a rule the average minister rose or organizations soon realized the economic weakfell in the estimation of his congregation with his ness of the tenant farmer and the mule and supability to vanquish his denominational foes in an planted them with the tractor and wage hand. ecclesiastical debate. Sometimes these theological Thus many more tenants passed out of the farm tenant system.
arguments grew so tempestuous that the police The Negro Tenant had to be called to enforce the peace. The position of the Negro tenant was also threatened. Tmnsition from the "share" method As generations came and went the stronger to a daily wage was disastrous to both the Negro sons succeeded in escaping from the farm, leav- and white tenant. Neither was able, by training ing the weaker to usher in a new generation a or ability, to manage his own economic affairs. little further down on the social scale. Like his They were forced to establish an entirely new impoverished acres the tenant farmer's character basis of economic existence on a low wage scale. has been depleted in moral, spiritual, intellectual The only time the cultivation of cotton demands and physical strength. The chief characteristic a great deal of manual labor is during the hoeing that remains from his pioneering forbears is a and harvest seasons. But these Negroes simply fierce pride; but unlike his forbears he has little do not possess. the economic sagacity to be able justification in his character for such a pride.
With the planters of the South looking for labor to manage a small seasonal income so that it will to replace Negro tenants who had gone North, cover the needs of an entire year. Thus many came an opportunity for the poor white man to more tenant families were added to the homeless escape from his impoverished land. He therefore and unemployed.
sold his holdings. for whatever they would bring With the arrival of the cotton control program and with this limited capital moved to the planta- many more will be forced into this group. The tions to take the place of the departed Negro. planter has been forced to reduce his acreage This was a terrible mistake. He was ill suited planted to cotton. If he is forced to reduce his
acreage one-third it is only a matter of simple a conference on the problem, but little was accomfractions to make him realize that he can get along plished other than the realization of the immensity with two-thirds of his tenants. Thus the farmless of the difficulty. group is threatened with a large increase in its numbers. Once this primary need has been met the next step must be to establish and carry out a South- There is yet another Damoclesian sword hang- wide program of human rehabilitation which will ing over the head of the hapless farm tenant. restore in the individuals of the farm tenant group The rules under which the government subsidizes the material and spiritual ability to fend for themits soil conservation program require that the selves in the rapidly changing economy of the rent paid the planter for acres planted with soil South. No such program has been formulated, conservation crops shall be shared with the tenant. but a hint as to its character may he found in the Here is an opportunity for the planter to profit success of the various social and educational by exchanging the rent system for the daily wage. agencies laboring in areas inhabited by large num- If he is not renting the land to the farm tenant, bers of tenants. In the regular course of their but merely working him by the day, he will receive duties they have touched the life of the individual the entire subsidy check. In the writer's experi- tenant and have brought about some very encourence he has known of no planters. resorting to this aging results. The Agricultural Extension Servunjust means of augmenting their income, but it ice has brought to the mind of the farmer a knowlis a possibility that must be considered by the edge of scientific farming and to his wife the farm tenant. advantages of agood home and home environment. The Public Health Service is teaching them the The Situation Today rudiments of simple hygiene and the value of diet in health. The displacing of the one-room school As the situation is today the Southern tenant by the consolidated school has wrought a wonderfarmer falls into two classes; the farmless tenant, ful change in the social and educational outlook who in reality is no longer a sharecropper but of their children. The children of the average is generally regarded as such; and the tenant tenant farmer today have a much broader and farmer who has succeeded in remaining in the more intelligent view of life than their parents. "system." It is imperative that the former re- If the more promising of these children could seceive attention at once. One cannot but be cure the advantages of a higher education they shocked at the thought of helpless people sitting could extricate themselves from the toils of the beside the road with no place to go. Here are sharecropping system and in a generation or two step-children of an economy which is rapidly would become normal Americans. As it is they changing and, in its change, can find no place for know that college is for them in the realm of the its unwanted wards. Very little is being done to improbable, if not impossible. With this barren meet the needs of this group. A few have found outlook before them they marry at an early age, refuge in the Farm Security Administration, a start to farming on shares, bring a large family federal agency, which is carrying out a national into the world, go in debt and remain so until program of rural rehabilitation. Others have death settles the account with the landlord. been brave enough to endeavor to homestead lands in the poorly drained swamp areas. They cannot While the work of reclamation, wrought by these hope for much success for they are without cap- social agencies, is merely a dent in the surface, "ital to carry them through the lean years before the success of their limited operations shows that their newly acquired acres can be brought to pro- the Southern tenant farmer is able to make a reduction. If their venture is successful this outlet sponse to efforts in his behalf. will serve only a small proportion of those in need. Some are finding a refuge in the homes of rela- The Christian Aspects tives who have succeeded in retaining their position as tenants on the plantations still using the What are the Christian aspects of the situation? share-cropping system. Unfortunately they are few for little Christianity has been exercised by the principals involved. The most immediate and urgent need in the The religious and moral life of the tenant farmer whole Southern tenant farmer problem is to find is only a dim shadow of the Christ-inspired life. a means of economic existence for those who are Gradually through the generations, the farmer in the army of farmless tenants. Other than the has come to look upon the Bible as containing limited amount of work heing done by the Farm proof texts for his denominational position rather Security Administmtion, and a single project be- than as a rule of faith and life. But the planter ing conducted by a group of socially minded has had many of his generous impulses shattered American Christians, there have been no con- by treachery and unreliability on the part of some structive efforts made toward the remedying of of his tenants. The Christian forces working in this situation of homeless people. One state held their midst have failed to realize that the tenant
THE SOUTH'S NUMBER ONE PROBLEM
farmer needs to. have evidences Qf their mission- farmers find that it is virtually impossible to effect ary interest. any radical change in the outlook of the older gen- eration. The young people, however, readily re- None of the Home Mission authorities of the spond to influences which are brQught to bear on more prominent churches of the South have thus their lives. If they can be reached befQre their far come to look upon the farm tenant group as environment has warped their cQnception of life, one which needs a well planned prQgram Qf mis- they will make as much progress as any group of sionary effort in their behalf. Only here and there average young Americans. in an isolated case does one find such a missionary project. The experience gained from these The promotiQn of a missionary project for a activities teach us that the tenant is not only the community of tenant farmers in southeast Ar- South's number one economic and social pro.blem, kansas has shown the writer that the task of but that this group also represents Southern effecting the spiritual rehabilitation of the tenant Christianity's numberQne spiritual problem. Ef- farmer will be a IQng hard struggle, filled with forts are being made by the State to effect the bitter experiences. The work began in an abaneconomic and social rehabilitation Qf the tenant doned one-room school house. The tenants posfarmer, and it is essential that the Church under- sessed no. means with which to erect a church gird this work with a well-planned program of building and refused to believe that funds CQuid Christian activity. It is 'a tremendous task which be secured. During the period of raising funds will require the wholehearted effort of every home from outside sources, the purchas.ing of materials mission agency in the Church. and the erection of the building, every conceivable obstacle was thrown in the way Qf the project by First of all effeotive work in this field will re- the tenants themselves. The pastor's character quire a ministry that is "wise as serpents and was assailed and his motives questioned at every harmless as doves." Men of ability must be will- turn; it was not until after four years of someing to devote their ministry to. sacrifice on the times heart-breaking service that his ministry altar of Christian service. The minister will be was vindicated in their sight. By the exercising called upon to work with people who will questiQn of patience and understanding, refusing to allow his motives. His every move will be subject to himself the luxury Qf righteous indignation, he scrutiny to. see if there is some flaw in his char- finally won their confidence and the tenant farmacter. In his presence the tenant farmers will ers with their families became loyal friends. express appreciation for his services, but to each When the church building was a reality large other they will be apt to speak of him with SCQrn crowds began to attend the services and the light and will ridicule his ministry. The minister to the of the Gospel was shed over the community. A tenant farmer must be a man of preaching ability. sound program Qf religious education was adopted It is no easy task to preach acceptably to thQse and Christian influences began to be revealed in who require the simplest of thoughts cQuched in daily lives. This work was correlated with the the simplest of language. The peQple instinctively program of the social agencies in the community resent anything they do not understand. and the program of rehabilitation there, today, is well balanced and wholesome. If organized Christianity ever recognizes the challenge presented to. it in the Southern tenant Under the inspiration of this church and its farmer and decides on some prQgram of missiQn- activities, several young men and women, who ary activity, there must be adequate financial had dropped out Qf school, have been induced to backing. In Qrder that his work may have an air resume their high school studies and one young of permanence the missionary must have a build- man is in college today, literally lifting himself by ing in which to. carry out a program of Christian his own efforts toward a higher education. The activity. There is little permanence abo.ut a brush social life has undergone a gradual change. The arbor and an abandoned one-room school house, weekly community dance, which generally ended such as are the abode of itinerant preachers who in a drunken brawl, has disappeared and the gento.o often exploit the peQple rather than render a eral moral tone of the community life has taken religious service. Anyone utilizing such places. as on an entirely different hue. Truly the power of houses of worship is classed in the itinerant group this church is being felt in the economic, social for which the tenant farmer has little respect. If and religious life Qf this community and is pointthe missionary's work is to be at all successful ing the way to higher and nobler conceptiQns. We it must be housed in a respectable building; then believe that some day the social agencies of Amerthe tenant farmer, who is naturally a church ica will find a solution to the social and economic goer, will fill it to capacity. problems of the sharecro.Pper. When that day comes the church in a community will be able A good program of religiQus. educatiQn will en- to lend its help toward making that solution efable the tenant farmer to apply mQral and spir- fective. itual truth to the sQcial and economic prQblems of his life. Those who have labored among tenant
Berea's Work for
Some Impressions Gathered from Revisiting the College After Thirty-five Years r~"- -'1l!;;1====;;o;;B;;o;;Y;;o;;D;;o;;E;;o;;L;;o;;A;;o;;V;;o;;A_N=L;;o;;';;o;;PI;;o;;E;;o;;R;;o;;SO;;o;;N====-=l..I, T HE true value of every factory or institution and in other parts of the nation and in foreign is to be judged by its products. In America lands. A new era has been ushered into the moun- the name of Berea has become synonymous tains of the South by what Berea has taught and with effective, practical Christian education. Here done. At comparatively small expense, the colgood raw material is received in the form of boys lege has shown how to accomplish wonders in and girls from the Southern Mountains and is practical education by new methods of farming shaped into strong, intelligent, useful Christian and stock raising, by courses in home-making, citizens. Many' other schools and colleges are en- nursing and child training, by modern business deavoring to do the same kind of work but most methods, by industries such as baking, weaving, of them with much less evidence of success. They printing, and furniture making. Students not only would like to know Berea's secret in order that help to earn their way by these industries but they they too may achieve as satisfactory results; but are taught the dignity of labor and learn to be exthey are, in too many cases, handicapped by tra- perts in one or more of these lines. Their products dition, by too much money, by indulgent parents, are works of art with high commercial value. or perhaps even by a lack of the highest ideals, Each student is required to payor earn $150.00 and true sacrificial service on the part of faculty a year to cover his or her expenses for room and and trustees. board, but most of them are able to earn a large part of these expenses by work in the industries, One reason why Berea is a truly great institu- on the farm or elsewhere. The results are seen tion is because it is not so handicapped. The col- in the wide-awake, industrious, fine spirited stulege is rather enriched by tradition, by its ideals, by the necessity for economy and hard work, by dent body.
the quality of the student body, and by the char- What are some of the secrets of Berea's success acter and spirit of its faculty and trustees. Berea in making strong, self-reliant men and women out has a high aim and a noble history and seeks to of the comparatively raw, untrained and underbe true to them today. This unique college, which privileged boys and girls of the mountains?
has today 1700 students, has grown out of a dis- First. Berea gives hope to the students. Many trict school, with a very few pupils, which was of them come from homes where poverty has opened at Berea, Kentucky, by John G. Fee in brought discouragement, where the "upright" 1855. mountain farms offer little possibility for earning a livelihood to support a growing family of chil- The equipment has grown from a small frame building unm it now.comprises a large and beau- dren; where poor roads and lack of schools give tiful campus and forest of 6,284 acres and little opportunity for economic or intellectual rriany fine buildings with all the necessary equip- progress; where churches cannot support a ment for physical, industrial, intellectual and spir- trained minister. Berea teaches these boys and itual education. In the early days Berea sought girls to look forward not back; to be dissatisfied to promote understanding between the white and with past achievements and with things as they Negro races by co-education, but when the Ken- are; to look ahead hopefully to something better tucky Legislature made this illegal, the college -in education, in the economic situation, in Christurned its attention wholly to the neglected and tian service, and in life as a whole. They learn underprivileged mountaineers of the South. Now to look forward to something better than the old 90 per cent of the students must be from the cabins such as are common in the mountains and mountains; no more than 10 per cent can be re- are inspired and taught to build new homes that ceived from outside this region, although many cost little; they learn how to make these attractive apply. The product of Berea has made the college and clean through the science of home-making. famous., for many of its former students have be- Berea students are given a vision of life that is come honored teachers, lawyers, physicians, truly worth living here and that looks forward to Christian preachers, legislators, business men and the Life beyond. home-makers in their own mountain communities Second. Berea gives its students courage and [290 ] inspires them with ambition and energy to do the strictly "cultural" work, is the labor system, a seemingly impossible. They are taught never to be discouraged by handicaps; not to complain be- dominant emphasis of the institution. Each dorcause of what they lack but to use thankfully and effectively what they have. They are taught never mitory student labors ten hours a week or more to accept defeat in any ambition that is high and useful and to realize that nothing good is impos- and for this he is paid in labor credits which are sible to those who have faith, courage and perseverance. There are multitudes of examples in available toward the payment of college bills. The Berea's history from the days of John G. Fee to those of William J. Hutchins. purpose of the labor system is to make it possible Third. Berea teaches its students the value for a student who otherwise would not be able to and joy of unselfish service. They are not encouraged to come to Berea merely for what they can procure an adequate education to win the special do for themselves but because there they can prepare better to serve their fellow men. This is the advantages of Berea. In no one of our campus spirit of the college from the president down to the first year student-and it makes them unusu- schools do we charge tuition. ally cheerful and attractive. Ability to earn money, or to achieve fame of personal comfort, is A student may labor in the dairy, on the farm, not the goal set before them; it is the ideal of making their homes, their community and the in the garden, in the broom industry, in the bakworld a better place in which to live. It is the same ambition that actuated Sir Wilfred Grenfell ery, in the laundry, in the heat and power plant, of Labrador and Dwight L. Moody of Northfield in their life service. Godlike love is the ideal and in the several weaving industries, in some janitor motive that sets the standard of service. service, in Boone Tavern, in one of the offices of Fourth. Berea teaches its students to look to God their Heavenly Father for power to attain the institution. Work for which a student receives these ideals. Youth must not only look forward hopefully and within courageously as they take educational credit, yields him no money; labor stock of their assets, but they must look around lovingly to meet the needs of others and they must which yields him financial credit, gives him no edlook up to receive the guidance and strength of God. Berea is assured that this higher source of ucational credit. Much of the labor is highly eduhelp is provided in Jesus Christ and the Bible. Students are not expected to fight the battle of life cational. A student janitor in one of our buildalone. Prayer, Bible study, church services and student organizations are used to promote spir- ings, a man recently from the mountains, reitual life. These growing young people learn what many great men and women have learned-that marked the other day, "Me and cobwebs are not true success is attained by putting God first and others second; and that putting self first and God congenial any more." No registrar's card can second courts failure. capture that type of education; but that is edu- *** cation. . As President Hutchins Looks at Berea Some years ago we, at Berea College, sponsored (Excerpts from an address by President William J. Hutchins, given before the Rural Life As- a County Achievement contest. This contest, sociation of Lexington, Kentucky, and printed in their periodical.) originating in the mind of our one time secretary, Berea College is now eighty-four years old. Mr. Marshall Vaughn, which may be tried in vari- Many efforts have been made to label or to classify Berea. It teaches cultural subjects, but ous sections. Judge Bingham offered $5,000 in it is not a "cultural" school; it teaches agriculture, but it is not an "agricultural" school; it prizes, to be divided between the two counties teaches the industries, but it is not an "industrial" school. which should win the largest number of points in Quite separate, whether from the vocational or a County Contest. Nine counties participated. If any man in a county put screens on his house, built a toilet, or painted his house; if any man cooperated in mending the steps of the church house, or in painting a schoolhouse, he did not win a prize himself, but he helped his county win a prize. The friendly emulation of mountain counties in a revamping, redeeming enterprise means a great advance. A man who has once caught a vision of his county with decent roads, and schools, and churches, and toilets, a man who has worked with fellow citizens for a Cause, is not going to be satisfied with shrubbiness and squalor and walrus-like isolation. The County Achievement Contest proved that there are forces in our mountain communities that lead our people toward a high and holy civilization.
A second emphasis of Berea College is the Home. We rest in the belief long ago expressed by Francis Peabody that "the home holds the key to the salvation of the state."
We went into the mountains and found a typical house of the poorer sort; it had no windows in the sides or in the lean-to; it had no foundations.; the hens and hogs of earth, and the winds of heav- en, could find their way beneath it. This house we bought, took down, and moved in sections so
that we could place it in a quiet but central site and women, in a health program, supervised by upon our campus. Next to this house we erected, with the aid of our own construction department, Dr. Joel E. Goldthwait, of Boston. and under the guidance of our Home Economics Department, a "contrast house," the material cost- Each autumn twenty or twenty-five doctors, exing us only $650. The result is a house into which I should be proud to have anyone of our alumni amine our students ; after the examination a sillive with his bride. Within a little mo~e than a year we sold more than eighty-five blueprints of houette is taken of each student. A girl looks at this house. her silhouette and says: "That isn't my picture, Aside from the class and laboratory work done in our Home Economics building, there are five is it ?" "Yes., that's your photograph." As a recountry or "practice homes." In each of these is an expert teacher of Home Economics, who lives sult the girl changes her posture almost as quickly with her girls, eats with them three times a day, guides them as they fashion their menus and their as she changes the way she dresses her hair. Thus meals, as they keep their food expenses within two dollars and sixty-five cents, a week for each a better physical breed of men and women are goperson. In one of these country homes is a baby. ing back into the mountains, whence 90 % of our I had supposed that the girls would kill the baby with love, but I learned better. One day a visitor 2,QOO students come. from Boone Tavern came to see the baby. It was at a time of influenza. A modest mountain girl A fourth emphasis .at Berea is the Ancient came to the door, and asked the visitor, "Have you a cold?" "No." "Then I will see if the baby Simplidties and the Fine Arts. Some students is asleep." In other words, if you haven't had a cold, and if the baby is not as,leep, then you may have not money enough to pay for stamps to send see the baby. That is education. letters home. We are doing our best to inculcate *** a democracy which makes it possible for the boy, There is a new and strange shop on the Berea campus. A man ninety years old, but shrewd and who on Sunday presses his blue jeans, to go to keen, came to tell me of the futility of a college education. He said that college men broke down church and not be embarrassed by the boy next to in the time of depression; that a college man did not know even how to change a fuse in his own him, with white collar and better clothes. At the house if he used electricity. He went on to say that every American ought to be able to till his same time there is emphasis on the Fine Arts. own ground, and to build his own house. Finally he gave us money enough to pay for the part sal- Music and art, we insist, are not the monoply of ary of a high class "Jack of all Trades,," and to build a shop, in which five girls this past year the financially elect. "All of God's, chillen have made their own looms, and in which an average of 150 boys worked each week. Here the boys may wings." Through the window of our "House of study the framing of a house, the wiring of a house, the plumbing of a house, and so on. the People," we seek to prove to our students that The Council on Economic Conditions of the the mountains are beautiful, and that mountain South report that 4,000,000 Southern families should be rehoused. This is one-half of all the life is potentially beautiful. families in the South. And yet, "The home holds the key to the salvation of the state." The fifth emphasis of Berea is religion. While A third emphasis of Berea College is health. we grant that there is no such thing as compUlsory We have a hospital with fifty beds and a contagious ward with 75 beds. Four doctors, two religion, we insist that our students shall be exdentists, four trained nurses, a dietitian and a technician are members of the staff. On the posed to the noblest thoughts which men have ground at one time we have 'approximately fifty student nurses. All join with the Department of cherished, whether they be thoughts concerning Physical Edu~atio;n, with its gymnasia for me)). mathematics, political science or religion.
We do our best to build a golden bridge by which a student may pass. from an impossible theology, and an erroneous Biblical interpretation, to thoughts and convictions about God and Christ which will enable him to fight fearlessly and win in the arena of modern life.
We do not expect our mountain people to be rich, nor shall we lightly endure their hideous destitution. If we Americans have a modicum of communal character and good will, such destitu- tion is absolutely needless.
We who serve the mountains are trying to teach the boys and girls that they can play without per- verting the most sacred instincts of mankind, that they can hear the golden trumpets sound while great sacrifices are being offered; that they may live a life of external hardship, and at the same time find their way, straight and clean, to the per- renial sources of joy which are not destroyed by the ravages of time and circumstance. We are trying to teach the boys and girls how to take their share, their full share, in the economic and spir- itual redemption of the South and in the cosmic redemption of which the great dreamers have dreamed and for which the prophets and apostle.$ .and martyrs h.ave died. . . –
A Challenge for Advance in
–<!III By REV. W. A. ROSS, D.O. Ill>- C APTAIN JIMENEZ, an officer iIi the med- have ministered in the Name of Christ to the sick, ical department of the aviation corps of the has completely changed the attitude of the people Mexican Government, a Protestant and one toward Protestant work. The schools during the of my former students, was remarking on the years they were being carried on, created a friend- tendency in the government toward a more lib- liness and called forth cordial support and elicited eral attitude to religion and a more· spiritual warm praise from all classes of the people.
philosophy. This tendency is more marked in A Nation in the Making some sections than in others. It is a challenge to the evangelical forces to take advantage of the if Mexico prides herself on being one toofbtehgeinfirtsht~ present situation, and at the same time a call from not the first, of the modern States Christ to present His claims upon all. The times and conditions are favorable. struggle for a larger freedom, and that was less We do not mean that all is friendliness toward than thirty years ago. As a nation that is being the Gospel, or that there are no forces of evil, no radical elements opposed to religion, no hearts in made over, she is very young. The people are Mexico that have no room for Christ. We refer to conditions in general. formulating new policies, they are working out At the Congress of the American Republics· in new systems of statecraft, they are facing the Peru, the dominant note was friendliness. The "good neighbor" policy is bearing fruit. It is in edcaownonm. I.CT, hseoyciaarle avnedrycusletnusriatlivecotnoditthioenspoolifticthale' this atmosphere we are working in Mexico but there come at times breaks in the friendly trend. present-day neighborhood world and are receiving Three or four years ago the church in Cuerna- ideas and patterns of behavior which are stirring vaca was closed for some months and the State government was making plans t~ take it as a cul- and moulding the minds and confusing or directtural center. It was saved, and in recent years we have not been in the least molested. Later ing the thoughts of multitudes. These new curthere was a heavy tax put on all ministers of religion. In some cases it amounted to more than rents are uprooting the foundations of their forhalf the salary. That also has been removed, and the ministers go about their duties as freely and mer simpler life, are affecting not only the outer openly and actively as in the United States. In another capital city about four years ago the forms, but also the inner contents and are shaplargest Protestant church was taken over by a semi-official labor group and used as headquarters ing the framework of a new civilization. until recently when it was turned back to the people for religious services. There is a tenacity in the old conditions and The liberal elements have always been favor- conceptions of life which do not yield easily, and able to the Protestant cause. Juarez said eighty years ago: "We need the Protestants in Mexico." there is much that should not yield, but no one And liberal-minded men of affairs in all walks of life have often expressed similar sentiments. can deny that this new structure moves with irre- Their knowledge of history teaches them that in countries where the Protestant faith predominates sistible force. The danger is that the good will there is liberty, progress, and a larger degree of happiness. There is also the missionary work go with the bad, and that sinister elements will that is being done before their own eyes. The work of the hospitals where the doctors and nurses come in. There is danger that, as they are pro- gressing through outer forms and organizations and are mastering the material, they wil not learn self-mastery or will not give a place for God who controls and masters life.
Here is the opportunity for the Evangelicals.
Just at a time when a nation is casting off the old faith there is the opportunity to press· the claims of the new; when hearts are open to the new it is a challenge to present Christ whose coming makes all things new.
A good number of those who have pretended to be the saviors of the people and guardians of their interests during the years of revolution have been selfish and unscrupulous men. This accompanies all revolutionary movements. We must also re- member that the efforts made to uplift the masses of the people take the form of material uplift.
• Reprinted from The Christian Ol1'8erver. This is needed and when rightly and wisely [293 ]
guided has its value; we can rejoice in everything The Religious Qualities of the Mexican People that is done to help in any way. The Mexican people are breaking away from But during the whole of the revolutionary pe- the dominant religion of the country, but this does not mean that they are irreligious or are losing riod there have been men and women who not their inherent religious qualities. Jose Vascononly have given themselves unselfishly for the selos, one-time Secretary of Education, speaking material welfare, but also have sought to bring to for his own people said: "We are Indian blood the masses larger cultural opportunities in the and soul; the language and civilization are Spanthings of the mind and the heart. There have ish"; and the Indian is by nature religious. His been enough of these to give continuity to the religion as a pagan before the conquest with its movement and under their leadership it has gone priesthood, its religious communities, its penances forward. and a host of deities, was the center of his life. His religion as a Roman Catholic, with its very Twenty-five years ago some of the men at the similar priesthood, with its pilgrimages and the head of the then very young revolutionary party attendant community life, its penances, its muloutlined. their plans for making available to titude of images and saints, was until recently, the masses a larger portion of the resources and and still is for many, the center of life. Those products of the country, for the education of all who have come into the Protestant faith with its the people and for the enlargement of their intel- ministry, sacraments and ordinances of New Teslectual and spiritual outlook on life. As we have tament type, with its fellowship with Christ and watched the progress throughout the years, in with those who love Him, with its repentance spite of many things to oppose and many un- from sin and pardon in Christ, with the free acworthy elements which have crept in, we have cess of all believers to God our Father through the observed that they have, generally speaking, held merits of His Son our Saviour, find joy and peace true to these ideals. At the heart of their pro- in this life of faith. grams there has been an earnest desire to help the people and to lift them up. With some, as in the There are many inherent qualities in the Mexcase of President Cardenas, it is a life passion. ican people, brought in through the Indian strain There are now, and have been from the beginning, and fostered by the dominance of the Roman Cathmen of like mind. One young thirty-five-year-old olic faith for centuries, which when captured by governor put on a vigorous anti-alcoholic cam- Christ go to make up well-rounded Christian charpaign, and is giving especial attention to the edu- acters. Their patient and sympathetic natures cation of all children of school age. when touched by Christ become genuine Chris- tian virtues. Their fidelity and endurance, re- This earnest desire on the part of the present vealed in the hundreds who have died rather than rulers to help the submerged of Mexico may help deny their faith, are qualities. which add much to us to understand better some of their acts. In the the building up of stability in the family, church, exchange of notes between our State Department community and national life. Their mysticism at Washington and the Foreign Relations Depart- and contemplativeness have full playas they mediment of Mexico, Secretary Hull called attention to tate on Christ in the night watches. Their social the apparent, if not real, weakening of a sense of nature and spirit of comradeship, when the Spirit moral obligations. One cannot justify a break- of God purifies. and elevates, make the communion down in national honor and a weakening of a of the saints a high privilege. ~ense of national obligations, but one can find perhaps an explanation for some of the things. done Much of the old order is going and the new by the Mexican Government in the passion of the philosophies of life, the economic and social theleaders for the sharing of the masses of the people ories which have all the characteristics of religion in the resources and products of the country. along with nationalism, also elevated to a religious passion, are seeking entrance into Mexico. Many in the Government, from President Cardenas down, have indicated their appreciation of a feeling of obligation to the Protestant cause for what they are doing and have looked upon them Here again lies the peril for Mexico; here again in many cases as allies. We were one day discuss- lies the opportunity for the Evangelical Church.
ing with the Under-Secretary of Education the The Church itself must recapture the vision that rural school system and the plan of the Govern- God in Christ meant the Christian community to ment for the training of rural teachers. Mr. be a fellowship of believers, rooted in God and Saenz said that they could give the intellectual, His divine redemptive order and therefore com- technical and practical training to the teachers, mitted to the service and salvation of the world.
but that when they were sent out to the rural Then going out in His Name the Church must communities to teach, too many of them broke capture for Christ those religious qualities in the morally, adding that here is a great field of serv- Mexican people which make them His joyous and ice for the Protestant Church. consecrated servants.
Frontiers in Home
By the REV. EDWARD DELOR KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia Executive Secretary of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension, Methodist Episcopal Church BASIC backgrounds and ideals are fateful States on April 30, 1789, George Washington was factors in the unfolding life and destiny of visited by a special delegation from the recently men and nations. Material and moral as- organized Methodist Episcopal Church (Baltisets, undergirded by a consciousness of the real- more Christmas Conference, 1784), the first in ity of spiritual values, determine the character the history o.f our country to bestow an official and quality of their economic, civic and social blessing upon the Chief Executive and other adactivities. No nation can hope to endure the tests ministrative officers of America's infant republic. of time without at least three imperatives to per- On October 3, 1789, President George Washingpetuity: an adequate fo.undation of race; a high ton's first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamastandard of private and public morals; and a tion pledged this nation's gratitude and loyalty to spirit of fidelity <to tested and well-established in- God: "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge stitutions. the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to Expanding Frontiers implore His protection and favor." The coin of the realm still bears this suggestive inscription: The geographical growth of the United States 'Tn God we trust." of America constitutes an amazing chapter in the story of nations. Our early American colonies American missionary history stirs the souls of only fringed the Atlantic seaboard. When this those who trace the trails and sense the spirit of New World Republic was launched upon its no- the hardy pioneers. and heroic "circuit riders," table career in 1789, the Mis<sissippi River had patriots and preachers, whose joint services to become its western boundary. Later a sixty-year God and country were so effective during the series of rapidly receding western frontiers es- formative period of our national life. The most tablished the territorial unity o.f the United States substantial achievements which have blessed this between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf world were conceived in the hearts and fostered of Mexico. and Dominion of Canada. The years by the faith of missionary-minded men and 1867 and 1898, respectively, witnessed the pur- women. We are indebted to their initiative, darchase of Alaska and the voluntary annexation of ing and self-sacrifice for humanity's material, Hawaii. Sho.rtly after, acquisitio.n of the Philip- social and spiritual progress. Challenged by the pines, Puerto Rico, a number of other islands that spirit of adventure, stimulated by the desire to dot the seas, and a permanent lease on the serve, and responsive to an inner spiritual urge, Panama Canal Zone completed the composite area they were able, out of a forbidding wilderness which embraces Uncle Sam's present political hitherto untrod by the feet of white men, to wrest domain. a civilization that was dominated by a Christian Our governmental superstructure rests upon purpose. A dynamic conscience characterized the foundations furnished by organized Christianity. colonization of America. The United States is The first representative assembly in this Western "a nation that was born Christian." Hemisphere was housed in a Christian church at old Jamestown, Virginia, where a monument now Is America Becoming Pagan? marks that historic spot. When the Plymouth What has happened during the century and a colonists were threatened with starvation, the . half of our national life, so startling in its impli- day designated for fasting and prayer was sud- cations that a level-headed leader and seasoned denly transformed into a time of feasting and re- Christian statesman like William Adams Brown joicing, hence Governor William Bradford pro- is prompted to voice the fear that "America is acclaimed the observance of America's first general tually in danger of becoming progressively pa- Thanksgiving Day on February 22, 1631. At his gan"? Constantly changing conditions, shifting first inauguration as President of the United economic and social situations; the influx of mil- [295 ]
lions of people from all parts of the world, with prime importance of personal salvation should not their own continental traditions, prejudices and be content with anything short of collective comracial animosities; the propagation of pagan fort as well as individual security. The spectacle philosophies of life; and the development of crime of absurd extremes between plenty and poverty, cultures of appalling proportions – these all surfeit and starvation in the richest country on threaten the foundations of our governmental earth, is an anomaly which has no place in a prosuperstructure and tax the resources of Chris- fessedly Christian commonwealth. This must be tianity. America's slump in ethical ideals is evi- corrected and its recurrence made impossible or denced by: the unsavory -revelations of our the manhood of tomorrow may curse the present United States Senate Committee hearings, in the generation for its stupidity. Significant trends in field of finance; the subtle trickery of dress-suit the current life of our day challenge the Church racketeers as well as the brazen effrontery of of Christ to arouse itself; to enlarge its vision, machine-gun gangsters; the perversion of public expand its horizon, revamp its program, and reoffice to propaganda methods that clash with the fire the zeal of evangelical Christianity so genuine principles of constructive statesmanship; strangely tempted, during these fateful days, to exploitation of the masses, for the sake of a selfish yield to the spirit of smug complacency and a surplus and the satisfaction of corporate greed; false sense of security. As Dr. H. E. Woolever rancor-breeding racial discriminations, that coun- wisely insists, "The Church of Christ must press tenance economic and social inj ustice. These and her spiritual ideals more effectively to the fore in kindred developments. undermine sacred institu- legislative halls and public life, or the increasing tions, hinder human welfare, and challenge the forces of greed and materialism will smother the Christian constituency of this country with a far economic and social rights of the masses." In more intricate and exacting task than that of our this or any other country, human happiness and pioneer fathers. national welfare can become a full reality only when those entrusted with governmental and so- An unwholesome industrial and social system cial responsibilities. are dominated by spiritual that breeds iniquities and haI1dships; ignores ra- incentives; when our national superstructure is cial discriminations and persecutions; tolerates buttressed by the fundamental doctrines of Chrisslum and dumping-ground residence areas; bar- tianity: the Fatherhood of God; the Saviourhood ters with beer barons and liquor lords for the of Christ; the Brotherhood of Man; the infinite privileges of physical and moral debauchery; value of human life, regardless of racial antecedwinks at broadcasts and cinemas that deliberately ents or backgrounds. distort ideals and magnify the worst features of American life, at home and abroad; and cheapens The Social Creed of the Churches, endorsed by itself by acknowledging the validity of alien di- the Home Missions Council and the Federal Counvorce laws that ridicule the sanctity of marriage cil of the Churches of Christ in America (to which and disrupt home life – these conditions deeply nearly all of our major Christian communions susconcern an awakened national conscience. The tain constituent relationships) embraces the follargest military budget in the history of the lowing clearly defined declarations: United States; crime and relief bills that require many billions to finance; fifty per cent of our (1) Equal rights and justice for all men, in population and a minimum of 15,000,000 of our all stations of life. children and young people under twenty-five years of age unrelated to the Church of Christ so that (2) Family protection by the single standard even a United States Senator voices the plea, of purity, regulation of marriage, and proper "Save the youth of the land or America is lost"- housing. all these stir our souls; indifference or silence on the part of Christian leaders would be treason to (3) Adequate physical and moral safeguards both the Cross and the Flag. for women toilers.
Social and Religious Frontiers (4) An unhampered development opportunity for every child, and the abolition of child labor. The totality of human welfare is Christianity's central concern. In the technical sense, geograph- (5) The right of employees and employers ical frontiers gradually fade from the national alike to organize, adequate means of arbitration scene, but modern home missionary agencies. must and conciliation during industdal disputes. reckon with functional frontiers of even greater urgency. In America, as elsewhere, vast areas (6) Application of Christian principles to the of under-privileged rural and urban life demand acquisition and use of property. conscientious com'l,ideration and action on the part of both Church and State. A passion for the Calvin Coolidge well said: "I do not know of any adequate support for our form of government, except that which comes from religion. The mere sharpening of the wits, the bare training of the intellect, the naked acquisition of science, while they greatly increase the power for good, likewise
NEW FRONTIERS IN HOME MISSIONS
increase the power for eviL Intellectual growth, service calls for a sound sociological basis for unaccompanied by moral and spiritual growth, missionary method and procedure, buttressed by will only add to our confusion." a valid humanitarian as well as genuine evange- Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes of the Methodist listic urge. A composite task requires, a composite Church emphasizes individual and social gospel program.
mutualities, as follows: The major task of Home Missions has always Any contest between the two seems to be a quarrel be- been to meet the demands of expanding geographtween the inner and outer life. Despite its individualistic ical and functional frontiers, with their changing emphases, the Wesleyan movement made most efficient economic and social situations; to aid in the esbeginnings in social reforms that later shone so beauti- tablishment of churches and the maintenance of fully in the expressions of Christian life. Wesley met missionaries; to explore and seek the solution of the standards of his own social gospel, did not dwell in community problems. that have been created by elegance, shared all he had, died poor. While the Church exploitation, poverty, ignorance, intolerance, dishas not usually protested where the main question de- manded economic expertness rather than moral judgment, ease and death. Modern Home Missions must she has spoken with boldness on starvation wages, child reckon with the basic needs of human hearts and labor, the liquor problem, the gambling evil, personal minister to those who, menaced by fOI'ces which purity, divorce, etc. Earnest men who plead that Christ are destructive to all that makes life worth while, is the ruler of the market place, that His spirit and prin- ciples should be applied to industrial life, should not be find their unaided strength unequal to the strugclassified as Soviets, Socialists or Communists. This whole gle for moral and spiritual victory. It is not task of creating a redeemed society calls for both regen- enough to tarry at the foot of the precipice, waiteration and education. ing with stretchers to catch the falling victims of sin and selfishness; Home Missions must major The CUn'ent Challenge Modern social situations in the United States in preventive rather than curative policies and of America, neware:as of activity created by programs in order to lift the whole of life to changing conditions and modified modes of living, loftier levels.
must be met and served by Home Missions with America's Salvation an adequate program adapted to the demands of these times. It is 'a far cry from the comparative Freedom of worship, lawful liberty, equality of simplicity of pioneer life to the confusing com- economic and social opportunity, and the sacredplexities of America's twentieth-century commu- ness of personality were the objectives of the Pilnities; from the program of a missionary move- grim Fathers who laid the foundations of this ment across expanding geographical frontiers, to New WorId Republic. Their ideals were crystalthe intricate and intensive task of providing an lized in the Constitution of the United States of adequate Christian ministry to modern communi- America, the separation of Churoh and State, the ties, threatened by destructive forces and fre- Emancipation Proclamation; they developed a quently abetted by "spiritual wickedness in high sturdy type of character which became the pride places." Home Missions must continue an un- of American citizensbi.p, until the finer sensibilifaltering' commitment to the supreme purpose of ties of our people became blunted by sordid sobringing the constructive and Ufe-enriohing serv- cial, commercial and political ambitions, when ices of the Gospel of Christ, not only to the SQ- license and lawlessness began to displace liberty called under-privileged areas of humanity, but and law. America's material, scientific and social also to any and all rural and urban communities achievements have been phenomenal, unsurpassed which, for whatever reason, would not otherwise by other nations, but her current spiritual situabenefit by them. It is the task of the Home Mis- tion is a cause for grave concern on the part of sion enterprise to serve isolated villages of reli- thoughtful Christian statesmen. Dr. Mark A. giously and socially forgotten men, women and Dawber, Secretary of the Home Missions Council children; to spiritualize sparsely settled rural of America, warns us that regions, pocketed mountain communities, and congested city centers; to brother bilingual Es- When wealth becomes an end in itself; when education kimo, Indian, Latin American, Migrant, Negro, leads to a deification of the intellect; when industry de- velops into a selfish struggle between capital and labor; when statesmen degenerate into petty politicians; and Oriental, and polyglot peoples from every part of when social life takes on the characteristics of the jungle, the planet now resident in and potential citizens the soul of the nation is lost. When lawmakers lose their of this country. The Christian attitude toward, spiritual ideals and sense of God; when the Lord's Day interest in, love for and ministry to these national is commercialized and secularized; when moral standards are lowered and a materialistic order becomes the major and family racial groups who have come here from motive of men, the supremacy of God is ignored and gov- ernment, education, industry and society, as well as relieverywhither, to make this their home, their flag, gion itself are in peril. their country, is bound to determine both the char- acter and the quality of future American citizen- The Christian Church and her Home Missions ship. In order to be effective and fruitful such agencies must save the soul and enrich the inner
life of America. A truly Christian democracy, sis, it is the same historic and heroic warfare according to our most seasoned statesmen, is the against the world, the flesh and the devil. Now, only constructive procedure in society, economics, as then, we wrestle not only with flesh and blood, education and government that ultimately can sur- but with principalities and powers. Home Misvive. America's greatest possible contribution sions faces an exceedingly exacting task in the toward world welfare, hence the most urgent re- new frontiers which now tax the mental, material sponsibility of Home Missions, is a reestablish- and spiritual resources of organized Christianity. ment of America's basic ideals of liberty and law, Shall we join Wycoff of Yale '84, in the following prayer: buttressed by a functioning faith in the God of our Fathers. Experience has demonstrated that Fronting my task, these things I ask: this is best for the physical, moral, social and To be tn.e, this whole day through; spiritual good of mankind. Present problems a.p- To be content with honest work, pear to be new and intricate, owing to the complexities of our modern life but, in the last analy- Fearing only, lest I shirk; To see, and know, and do what's right; To come, unsullied, home at night.
A Roman Catholic Challenges Rome By EULA KENNEDY LONG FROM earliest days until now, ignorance of the people to read the Bible. The accusation is not Bible has been widespread and notorious in correct, stated thus bluntly. We do not prohibit Brazil. the reading of the Bible (the Catholic version, be It was only a few months ago that a stu- it understood); but its almost general neglect, dent in Brazil said to a missionary who had given and the little attention given to teaching Catholics him a Bible : "You do not know how grateful I the supreme beauties of Divine Revelation, are am for this. All my life I have wanted a copy of practically equivalent to prohibition. . . . How the Bible; but this is the first time I have seen or can Catholic Action prosper when Catholics do not touched one." Missionaries could tell of having know the soul of the movement; when Jesus consearched the bookstores in some large cities of tinues ignored or unknown-the unknown God of Brazil, without finding one copy of the Bible for whom Paul preached to the Athenians?" sale – unless, perchance, there might be one or two of ancient pulpit Hize, .offered at the prohibi- It is a cause for rejoicing that concern is felt tive price of the salary of a workman for one over such a situation. Then came the good news month. -welcome to all sincere Christians, whether Roman Catholics or Protestants – that Father The Roman Catholic Church, which has been Rohden had completed a remarkably fine transladominant in Brazil for four hundred years, has tion of the New Testament, issued under ecclemade no practical attempt to provide the Scrip- siastical Imprimatur. It is a mere coincidence, tures or any portions for the people and many perhaps, but one is struck by the fact that this priests have forbidden the reading of what it calls new launching of God's Word, under Church the "Protestant" Bible, on the grounds that it is sanction, came in the same year that the Englishheretical. This is in spite of the fact that transla- speaking peoples celebrated the fourth centenary tions have been made by their own priests. of the transJation of the Bible into the language of the English people. Over a year ago, Evangelical (Protestant) church papers reprinted, with unfeigned joy, an The significance of this translation by a Roman editorial by a Roman Catholic priest, in which he Catholic priest cannot be overestimated when one voiced deep concern about this widespread igno- remembers that Brazil is a great Roman Catholic rance of God's Word. After relating experiences country, and the nation of greatest size, populain three hundred cities of BrazH, Father Hum- tion and potentialities in South America. The berto Rohden wrote: value of the achievement will be practically lost, however, if Father Rohden's New Testament is "Everywhere I found a profound and shameful not printed in a popular edition, put on sale at ignorance of the Divine ReveJ.ation. . . . It has secular bookstores, and its careful reading inreached such an extreme among us that Biblical sistently recommended by the priests. and Protestant are considered synonymous. . . . Ignorance of the sacred text is an open door to Will Rome accept the challenge of one of her the most horrible religious fetishism, to the detest- own priests? If so, then Father Rohden's work able superstition that exists among our people. of love and courage will prove to be, as he says, . . . The Protestants. accuse us of forbidding the "the breath of a promising spiritual springtime."
American Indians Are Doing
Evangelize Their Own People By G. E. E. LINDQUIST, Lawrence, Kansas I ~.- I Missionary-at-Large to the North American Indians ~==============================~t "EVERY race in the end must be elevated by These are only a few of th0'se wh0' have labored its own educated leadership," said a wise to bring the Gospel to their own people, either by leader 0'f his people. He would have been means of the translated word or as interpreters of the Message. They have all entered into their wiser had he said "Christian leadership," for in reward but their g00'd deeds follow them. Much the final analysis any elevation worthy of the of the work of Indian evangelization today is carname must be inspired and permeated by the ried on by native leaders. This does not mean Christian motive. The Indian race is no exception to this dictum. Historically, the most successful that the number of Indian pastors. and evangelists missions are those in which Indians have actively exceeds that of white missionaries, but when we participated in the evangelizati0'n of their own include interpreters, catechists, helpers and lay people. This is true in both Americas, north· as Indian leaders, young and old-in Sunday schools, well as south of the Rio Grande. women's societies, young people's organizations, such as Christian Endeav0'r, B. Y. P. U., Epworth As the North American tribes pass in review, League, Y. M. and Y. W. C. A., St. Andrew's certain notable names are associated with them, Brotherhood, Girls' Friendly Society, D. V. B. S., not as warriors and statesmen only but rather as evangels 0'f the Cross of Christ, messengers of the etc.-the total figure is impressive. G00'd News to those "sitting in darkness and the True, there are Indian communities today, an shadow of death." increasing number of them, where English is One calls to mind among the Cherokees, for ex- practically the only language spoken, whether on ample, such a spiritual leader in the person of the street, shop, school or church. Here the na- Elias B0'udinot, associated with Samuel A. Wor- tive tongue is used only 0'n special occasions when cester in translating the Scriptures and numerous old people are present, for example, at a tribal hymns, still used by present-day tribesmen; council or a funeral. On a recent field trip the Frank H. Wright, Choctaw evangelist and singer, writer visited the Yumas where this holds true. whose ministry was by no means limited to his However, among the neighboring Cocopahs, who own people; Joseph Islands, apostle to the Creeks; drifted across the border from Mexico several Frank Mt. Pleasant, for over forty years among decades ago, the white missionary must still use his own Tuscaroras ; James Hayes, a prophetic an interpreter at all services. To the north, voice among the Nez Perces, pr0'bably the first am0'ng the Mojaves, there is a native pastor min- Indian of the N0'rthwest to be hon0'red by the istering to his own people both at Needles, Cali- Doctor of Divinity degree; Artemas Ehnamani, fornia, and at Parker, Arizona. In a maj ority first native pastor to the Sioux, with the third of services English is the accepted medium of generation in his line serving at present; Charles expression although the pastor is a member of the Wright and Mark Hart among the 0hippewas, tribe and uses his mother tongue freely. who received much of their early training under One should not, however, draw the conclusion Bishop Whipple; Philip Deloria among the Da- that the work of Indian evangelization is no longer kotas, a disciple of the beloved Bishop Hare; dependent on the translated Word. Great has Isaac McCoy, a name-sake of the great Baptist been the contribution of those who have devoted missionary; Lucius Aitsan among the Kiowas, years of lab0'r in translating the Christian Scripa c0'nvert under Isabelle Crawford's ministry to tures into Indian languages. The story of the the blanket Indians in western Oklahoma; Horace Cherokee Bible, using Sequoyah's famous alpha- Williams among the Pima, who received his in- bet, reads like a romance; S0' also that of the spiration for evangelizing from Charles H. Cook, Sioux (Dakota) and the Chippewa (Ojibway).
pioneer missionary to the Southwest; Sherman Who can read of Dr. Rudolphe Petter's painstak- Coolidge, an Arapahoe, who also ministered to ing eff0'rts in making the Bible available to the other needy tribes. Cheyennes without unbounded admiration. In [299 ]
addition to these, the Scriptures, either in whole faith. One of the high spots of the church year or in part, may be found in the following: Choc- are the evangelistic services, usually held in J antaw, Muskokee (Creek), Shawnee, Arapahoe, uary and conducted by the deacons, more often Winnebago, Nez Perces, Seneca, Delaware, Tewa than not in the homes, but sometimes in the (Pueblo), and is some of the Canadian Indian church. The neighboring Tuscaroras as well as languages, such as the Cree, Miconac, Tinne and the Tonawandas frequently join in these meet- Maliseet. More recently some books of the Bible ings. It is the testimony of the leaders that the have been put into print in the Navajo tongue, church work receives a spiritual lift from these as well as in the Hopi and Apache. services which is felt throughout the entire year.
The Navajoes Among the Chippewas, especially those in Mich- igan, the annual camp meetings are looked for- Since the Navajoes constitute the largest tribe ward to as the big event of the year. Whether numerically in the United States and since these the camp meeting, as conducted by these people, people have often been referred to as "the last is an outgrowth of the old Indian councils which stronghold of paganism" it is reasonable to sup- were called by the chiefs, or whether they hark pose that the translated Word will have an im- back to early day Methodism, is a mooted question. portant place in their evangelization for years to The point to be noted here is that the Indians feel come. But what is of even g.reater importance instinctively that they are indigenous and belong to the Navajo is the development of an indigenous to them. Ever since the days of Rev. Peter church, under Indian leaders. Twenty years ago, Marksman (the name of Marksman is. writ large following a field survey, the writer urged that "at in the missionary history of the Chippewas), every mission station a small group of promising brought into the Christian life by Rev. John Clark native leaders should be trained for missionary of the Oneida Mission some time about 1840, the service in the future." Wherever these conditions Ojibway Camp Meetings. have been largely conhave been met certain encouraging results in the ducted by native Christians in which their own work of evangelization have followed. But alas, hymns and Scriptures loom large. The writer has after fifty years of missionary effort among these often heard the Indian preachers exhorting their people, one can count on the fingers of one hand people, sometimes far into the night. When the the number of full-time Indian Christian leaders. sinners and backsliders come to the front, the ex- hortation gives way to united prayer on the part The Hopis, a sedentary and agricultural people, of the faithful who are on their knees.. When the who unfortunately are widely advertised because penitent has "come through" there is exuberant of their annual snake dances now rapidly becom- singing as they rise to their feet in glad acclaim. ing commercialized, have had (until the recent One of the exhorters who has recently gone to passing of Pliny Adams) three native workers- his reward, J,ames Keshick, rarely missed a camp at Polacca, Toreva and Moencopi. Only those who meeting; he also served as local preacher at Hanhave first-hand knowledge of how the minds of nahville community for many years. these people "have been shackled by pantheism and idolatry," and how "within our own day men The Oklahoma Indians have lived and died in Hopiland without knowing that there is a redeeming Christ"-only those can Oklahoma Indians, especially the so-called understand what the lone workers must face as blanket tribes, still observe annual camp meetthey seek to bring the Gospel of the Cross to their ings, generally held in August or September, with fellow tribesmen. duly appointed committees in charge and careful preparations. made, sometimes months in advance The Senecas and Cherokees in order that such necessary items as food, equip- ment and shelter may be in readiness. A large On a recent trip to the Tonawanda Senecas in meeting tent, capable of holding hundreds of wor- New York the writer renewed acquaintance with shipers, is provided. Formerly a maj ority of the Peter Doctor, an Indian elder who for nearly attendants sat on the ground or on a piece of cantwenty-five years has kept the fires going in the vas spread for the occasion. Now practically all little Presbyterian Church, situated in the heart prefer camp chairs or benches, some of the nonof the pagan district, in the hope of evangelizing Christians choosing the cushioned seats from that element. During all these years he has near-by automobiles. Often as many as five or preached the Gospel faithfully and has made pro- six tribes gather for this annual event and a colorhibition speeches around the country. He is still ful assembly and picturesque congregation prewaiting for the Presbytery to appoint a successor sents itself. Beginning with a sunrise prayer to the late Mr. Tripp. meeting, called by the camp-crier, these people are rarely satisfied with less than four services a On the near-by Cattaraugus Reservation, Rev. day. They believe in and practice prayer, song David o,wl, a. Cherokee, has for twelve years led the Seneca people into the truths of the Christian
£9391 WHAT AMERICAN INDIANS ARE
and testimony. The climax comes when after the nual camp meetings and evangelistic s'ervices at exhortation by Indian leaders – in the old days Talmaks, Idaho, usually around Independence Nahwats, Poafpybitty, Saneco and Wautan-at Day, under the aegis of such native leaders as present by such younger recruits as George Hunt, Mark Arthurf James Dickson, Joseph Cook and Robert Chaat, White Parker, James Ottipoby and Harry Moffett. Robert Atchavit, when "the net is cast" and the converts and backsliders are brought in. The In the old Indian Territory (now east~rn Okla:.- elos.ing Sunday often witnesses baptisms, restora- homa) where dwell the Five Civilized Tribes, one tions and new members added to the church rolls. naturally expects. to find Indian workers dedi- cated to the cause of evangelization of their own Among the Sioux there are annual convocations people. Notable names are connected with their and mis8ion meetings. The latter, knolWn as past missionary history, but not all are written in l?taya Owohdake, have been held each autumn the past tense. Such institutions as. Bacone Colsince 1874 by the Congregational and Presby- lege, Dwight, Old Goodland, Oklahoma Presbyterian Indian churches of which there are 24 and terian College, Oklahoma Baptist Univ~r:rity a:.nd 30, respectively. They are manned by Indian the American Indian Institute have all had a part pastors, and the states of Nebraska, North and in preparing and sending forth many of the preS'- South Dakota and Montana are represented. ent generation of Christian leaders, lay and cler- While these do not have the distinctive revival ical. Among the Cherokees the list includes such emphasis of the usual camp meeting, they consti- preachers as Richard Glory, John Acorn and Jim tute a very significant link in the work of evan- Pickup, with Aaron Hancock, Johnson Bobb, gelization among the Dakotas. Here,' among Oscar Gardner and Grady James among the other items, may be heard thrilling reports from Choctaws; Sam Hawkins and Mose Wesley with the "Wotanin Waste," the Indian women's mis- the Chickasaws and Ben Haikey, John Smith and sionary societies, recounting their efforts to raise William King among the Creeks and Seminoles. funds to send the Gospel to needy groups. Here The last-mentioned, together with his wife, has such present-day leaders. as Truby Iron Mocassin, carried on work among the Florida Seminoles Thomas Blueyes, Clayton Hold, Philip Frazier, near Lake Okeechobee for a number of years, the Homer Redlightning, George Firecloud and Wal- support of which comes from the Muskogee-Creek lace Runningeagle sound the Gospel trumpet. Baptist Indian Association.
The Dakotas and Chippewas While the primary objective of all Indian mis- sionary work is to make known Christ and His In the Protestant Episcopal groups. the annual Gospel, to do this most effectively the ultimate meetings are called convocations. Last year the 67th annual gathering was held at Pine Ridge aim is to develop alid use Indian leadership. A Agency, South Dakota. A missionary who was trusted missionary of long experience once said, present writes: "The Dakotas crowded the separate meetings for men, women and young people "The constant testimony of the Indian preacher and demonstrated the depth of their religion with to Christian teaching and Christian things, just their interest and seriousness of purpose. Each group, from our grasshopper and drought-stricken because it is from an Indian, is worth more than prairies, came with larger gifts. of money for the any amount of preaching from a white man." promotion of Christ's work than they had brought Other things being equal, the white missionary the year before. Everywhere the keynote of the should work. himself out of a job. He must not convocation 'Forward with Christ and my hesitate to give responsibility to those most im- Brother' was sounded." Here the Indian clergy, mediately concerned, the Indians themselves, derepresented by such trusted leaders as Paul spite possible mistakes and failures. He must be Chekpa, Vine Deloria, Dallas Shaw and the Rouil- willing to trust God with the souls of people, lard brothers, voice the preeminent thoughts and whether they be clothed with red skins or not. aspirations of the assembled hundreds in worship, as expressed in faith in God, love for their fellow :. In the above somewhafcursory review it must men and courage for the future. be kept in mind that Indian participation is still somewhat sporadic and far from. being sufficient The Minnesota Chippewas also stress such an- or satisfactory. Great pressure is being brought nual gatherings as the summer convocation when to bear on Indian youth to enter other secular practically every locality and mission station is callings, especially from Governmental agencies represented, Rev. W. K. Boyle, archdeacon and and notably so in recent years. Progress in raisnative leader, being the forceful present-day ing up qualified Indian Christian leaders will conleader. On the Pacific Coast Region of the North- tinue to be slow unless missionaries with greater west the Nez Perces, Umatillas, Makahs, Spokanes earnestness continue to recruit, train and release and the Shoshones have for years conducted an- an increasingly large number of Indian workers for the evangelization of their own people. (See Frontispiece.)
Days in
By ELLEN H. BERGREN, Kermit Mission, Cassard, Virginia .nA .FTER completing my course in the Moody The meetings were well attended, but the peo- Bible Institute, and spending two years in ple did not seem to feel their need of salvation. Albany as pastor's assistant, I learned of The thought of "furrin" folks coming with new the great need in the mountains of the South and methods was something strange. To the moun- offered myself for service there. My best expecta- taineers preaching consisted in the loud singsong tion for a future home in the Appalachian Moun- exhortation of the so-called "Hard Shell" mountains was possibly a log hut, or a dug-out. I knew tain preacher. And women! They had never that I was apt to find myself in a place where star- heard of such a thing as women taking part in a vation and violence would be my lot. After much meeting. By way of introduction we visited every struggle I finally arrived in Bristol, Tennessee. home and gathered the children for a summer school. Rich indeed were the experiences encoun- I asked for a needy field, no matter how hard. tered. We spoke to the parents about sending In a few days, Rev. J. H. Little of Bristol took their children but one grandmother let us know his daughter, a singer, and myself to Appalachia, in no uncertain terms that she was not going to Virginia. On the way, near Big Stone Gap three let her grandson be injured by "book larnin." miles from Appalachia, the conductor aroused a Her only son was in the penitentiary at Richmond, drunken man whose destination was Big Stone and "If he had never known how to write enough Gap with the words, to forge a check," she said, he would be at home right now helping her. She was going to see that "Wake up! Where are you going?" his son escaped such a calamity.
"I'm going to hell," the man drawled out. Is it any wonder that ignorance prevailed, when "Well," said the conductor, "pay me ten cents ~he "Hard Shell" preachers fight it? One man more and get off at Appalachia." used this argument against learning: Mr. Little turned to me and said, "Is that "We'll say, here are two barrels; one is empty tough enough to suit you?" Such was my first and the other is jammed full of books. When the introduction to my new home! Lord wants to get in one of them barrels, and I axe you which one can He get into." During the following ten days, while Mr. Little held meetings, Miss Little and I did personal work The people will see the impossibility of the Lord in a little church, built by a former Christian getting into a heart that is full of learning. Sunsuperintendent in a near-by mine. After his death day schools seem to them a thing of Satan, and to the services were discontinued and the House of be preached against at every turn. It is a wonder God became a loafing place and gambling joint. that we had as many children in our Sunday The floor was carpeted with torn-up cards and schools those early days, as well as older ones who the windows were broken. flocked to our meetings.
First we gave this place a good scrubbing, many Many of the Primitive Baptists, or "Soft children and young folks helping to carry water, Shells," declare that they are not opposed to Sunsweep down cobwebs, and clean the few panes of day schools, but one of them remarked: "The glass remaining in the windows. Mr. and Miss Little and I had rooms in, the primitive hotel, young uns might just as well be in Sunday school which was kept by my future benefactors, the as in any other deviltry." The difference in Hales. In the lobby was a wooden sink, with a "Hard" and "Soft Shells" (or Primitives) is that bucket and dipper, for drinking and washing pur- the "Hard Shells" believe that only the "elect" are poses. Miss Little and I washed there, and, as saved, and God will see to them without any interthe roller towel had been much used, we used our ference from preachers. The sinner who is not handkerchiefs to wipe our hands. Mr. -Little face- "elect" cannot be saved, so that the preachers tiously remarked, "Well, ladies; hundreds have have no message for them. The Primitives believe wiped their hands on this towel and you are the that salvation is for all who will accept. Many fir,st ones to complain." have real revivals where people are saved. The [302 ]
• PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
"Hard Shells" class believe in dreams and visions, mons arid others who do not believe in the Word as giving their call to the ministry of which many of God. They fear any deviation from the simple ludicrous instances are told. One preacher tells life. In some parts of the mountains are stretches how he heard three distinct "calls from heaven" of country sparsely settled, where there are no when he was going home from a meeting. He churches or schools. In one isolated section located the very place where each call was heard, lived an old woman who had been to church but with the words repeated three times: once as a child, and had not heard-or at least did "Lige, you go and preach the Gospel." not remember that she ever heard the Gospel Three young pranksters still laugh at their story. This woman told the missionary that she climbing up trees and calling out the "heavenly had not seen a preacher for thirty years. She had a Bible once, but lost it when she moved to Trou- blesome Bend. She could not read, but the book had been good to put under the pmow in sickness.
She wi,shed she had another. The missionary told her the story of the Lord Jesus, and when he came to His suffering and death, tears came to her eyes and she s,aid, "I reckon 'tain't true-let's hope it ain't."
When he finished with the resurrection story and the Great Commission to His disciples this darkened soul believed and walked miles to her scattered neighbors to tell them the story. She said: "How could I know all this and keep still?"
MISS BERGREN (at left) AND FELLOW-WORKERS When the missionary returned to Troublesome TWENTY YEARS AGO Bend, she had gone to be with her Lord but her command" to the future prophet as he passed faithful witnessing had turned many to the Lord.
their hiding places. Noone ever informed him Alone in Appalachia as to the truth. After one month of school, Miss Little returned These preachers are not required to know how home. We had about twenty children who wanted the school to continue, but a county school was to to read, or how to preach. Their belief is that the begin August 1st, so I decided to give my time to Lord will tell them what He wants them to speak. One of them remarked to a preacher who p~e pared his sermons, "Now brother, you are wrong preparing your text; the devil will look over your shoulder and read it too, and then go to your con- gregation and lock their hearts agin it; so it does them no good. When I preach, neither me nor the devil knows what I am going to say."
This ignorance still prevails in this class of preachers, who believe that a little whiskey helps them to preach with "spirit" and power, but there are, thank God, many true servants of Christ in the mountains, who are preaching the Word, so that many are saved under their ministry. There are also many true men of prayer among these people. One who prayed that God would remove A MINING CAMP IN THE APPALACHIANS a still from his neighborhood, and that very night a cloudburst drove a mighty wave against it and visiting and meetings. The old church had a bell, tore it down. God has not left the beautiful and I announced a meeting for each afternoon.
Southern mountains without His witness, even Night services were only possible when people though its ministers present the Gospel in ways brought lamps or lanterns. I invited the women peculiar to those who are accustomed to decorum out for afternoons and rang that bell, whose jerky in the House of God. tongue seemed to say, "Come and hear me talk!
The mountain people readily recognize a Come and hear me talk!" The women came, and preacher with wrong doctrine. A "no hell" professed conversion. Alas, they were only my preacher will not be received in any church, if converts, but I did personal work with the zeal of they know him as such; nor will they admit Mor- a Moody Institute student. When the newness of
my meetingS! had WQrn .off, the women lost their the Lord sent tWD yellQw dogs who drDve away the pigs and were fine protectors against other curiosity and the attendance waned. intruders.
One day, I noticed a woman whQ hardly took When my first helper came she remarked, when she was ushered into my first home in the mounher eyes .off me during the meeting. But after- tains: "Oh, how lovely! I thought you lived in a shack, and here is a chapel with four large winwards when I asked if she would accept the LDrd dows and a glass door."
as her Saviour, she shook her head and said, Miss Church was very happy with me, and a truer friend and helper I could nDt ask. This "No, but I want the pattern of that thar dress chapel, seating fifty persons, was often packed to .overflowing. Many ministers came here to preach you got on." . and true conversions were witnessed in this room. I learned a great lesson-not to try to force any- Only the Lord knows the many mistakes I made one to be saved, but to let the Spirit .of God work. Many of the children professed to accept the Lord during thDse early days. As there was nD .organ, as .their persQnal Saviour and even the smaller ones took part in .our early morning devotions by I used a guitar as accompaniment t.o .our singing. praying and testifying. Only the older children could read, and very few had books, so teaching I know now that it was a hindrance, as guitars, was a problem. Our "reader" was the New Tes- tament. It was a time of rich reward to see the banjos and fiddles were considered Satan's tools, development of their minds. Bible stories were part .of their daily lessons. As I told the story, being used by Negroes fQr dances. Never had they were to tell what lesson they could get from it for themselves. One girl, in telling the story of they heard of hymns being played on either. When Jacob and Rachel, said, "This lesson teaches us to always ask the Lord for sweethearts." my organ came, it was a wonder t.o all and the The following story of the loaves and fishes is guitar was not used for years. as it was retold by a boy: After I had been in Appalachia about three ~'One day a little boy went fishing and his mother had put up a little lunch for him. He saw m.onths, Mrs. Charles Hale was sent home from a a big crDwd on the hillside and he heard Jesus speak. After a while, Jesus asked if they had anytuberculosis sanitarium to die, and her husband thing to eat, but they hadn't. So the little boy brought his little lunch to Jesus. Jesus looked at asked me to come and care for her and their little it and said, 'There is mighty little .of it, but I will use it.' He broke the bread and little fishes, and ones. I could not believe that she had tuberculosis there was plenty for all. This lesson teaches that, if we give what we have to Jesus, He will let it but she said, feed many thousand." "Yes, I have it; I am g.oing to die and I want The st.ory of the triumphal entry was quaintly to be with my children to the end." written: "One day Jesus came from heaven to Jerusalem, on a borrowed mule, to be king. The I began to pray that God would reward this people didn't like Him, but the children did for they put flQwers on the rQad for the mule to walk family with the life of the m.other and as I nursed on, and sang a pretty song to Jesus. The other people got mad and said, 'Did yQU hear that?' her and cared for the little girls, I saw strength 'Yes.' 'Well, make them stop that noise.' 'No, I wDn't. If they would hush, the stones would return. God lengthened her life until her children holler.' This teaches us that we .shDuld sing, no matter who gets mad." were grown, when she died .of sunstroke. The story of the flood was told as follows: As I needed all the time for my work, I rented "God made Noah make a big boat to hold all the animals and people, but only eight people were an old storehDuse, and the .owners dug in the saved. The .others drowned because they would nDt listen, as the animals did. This teaches that mountainside eight feet for a living rODm which we should listen to good people always."
he divided intD a tiny kitchen and bedroDm. I fDund a brDken stove with .one leg, and supplied bricks for the others. The bedrDom had a cot, some chairs and a small table. Noone could feel richer than I, and nD one eQuId be happier. Little by little the walls .of my hDme were covered with pretty wallpa.per and the flDor with mDuntain rugs. My tiny kitchen acquired a small sink and table combined. The seats in the chapel were a combinatiDn of benches and school desks, and made so that a bDard at the back .of each seat cDuld be raised, forming a long table fQr school pur- poses. I had tWD large closed-in benches with immense drawers, wherein to bestow my go.ods, clothing and other things which came from friends of the work and which were sent fDr the pODrer people and the children, as well as for myself- things both to eat and to wear.
As the public school .only lasted three months, the need .of schooling was ,sad. This little chapel stood upon a hillside, the front being high above the road, while my floor in the dUgDut was on the ground. As cold weather came .on, the pigs came from the village and slept under the chapel.
Their noise and stench could nDt be endured, so
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
At the end of the six months, I offered a reward mmmg companies had built churches. In one for the most Bible stories they could repeat. One camp, one mile from Appalachia, we started a girl handed in forty from the Old and New Tes- Sunday school in an unfinished house and the first taments. year I had services in three places – Imboden, Preacher Creek, and Appalachia, making a walk Reciting verses was first on the program every of six miles every Sunday. morning. In six months the older children memorized fourteen chapters of the Bible and fifteen After two years, I thought that some people in Psalms, beside a verse each morning' at roll-call. Appalachia could carryon the Sunday school with I have the privilege now of teaching their children the help of preachers, so I decided to move to a in the Appalachia Daily Vacation Bible School; near-by community within walking distance, and in some cases, I have their grandchildren. open a school. I moved to what is now Andover, During the first year I was entirely alone and MY FIRST EASTER IN APPALACHIA it was a year rich in experiences. The customs were new and strange, but when one becomes rented a house and taught classes that met in the used to them, they no longer seem so quaint. In largest room. It was rather crowded, with thirty calling one day on an old lady, she asked first of children, but with the help of Miss Church, we all where I was from. got along by letting the children recite in the din- ing room. These dear children were religiously "Albany, N. Y.," I answered. inclined, and it was not long till all with two ex- "That's a right smart piece, ain't it? Come by ceptions, accepted the Lord. One morning, after train ?" our usual song and Bible period, I asked (feeling "Yes." a strong working of the Spirit) : "How old are you?" I gave some answer. "Children, shall we take up our arithmetic?" "Well, have you store teeth?" "No ma'am," all answered. "No." "Well, what shall we do then?" "Make your own dress?" "Let us pray," was the almost unanimous re- "No." sponse. "How much did it cost. Are you married?" Then those dear children began to pray for a "No." revival, which shortly came. God sent His true "Never been married?" servant, a rather unique old man, Mr. Bassett, "No." "Got any children?" "N0, I am not married." "Well, too bad, but you can be yet, I reckon. You are not so old looking." I asked if she was a Christian. "Law yes, honey, I was baptized a right smart while ago."
Then she asked me about my religious faith, and said she heard someone say I belonged to the Roman Catholics. When I denied this, she seemed to draw the conclusion that I belonged to some other strange cult. But when I told her that I believed the Bible from cover to cover, this seemed to satisfy her. Later, we became fast friendsa friendship which lasted until her death.
The first weeks in Appalachia will never be forgotten. Every Saturday night there were shootings or stabbings, and for several Saturday nights in succession someone was killed. A man was shot one Sunday morning while we were having Sunday school, and someone called out, "Silas is killed." Everyone in the church ran out, leaving me entirely alone.
The surrounding mining camps were much upon my heart as few had any Sunday school or religious service of any kind. Within a radius of ten miles there were only three camps in which the
who went wherever God sent him. During that with me. Her mother gave me daily the choicest milk, called "strippings," and when I told her not meeting, every home was touched, and I have yet to, she said, "The children like the plain milk without the cream, and since I give you milk and to see a place so stirred, in answer to the chil- butter, we never have to hunt our cow-she al- ways comes home." Cow-hunting was the most dren's prayers. . hopeless task we could imagine. All the mountains around us were pastures, and no one knew which From Andover, I moved to Blackwood, a mining way a cow would roam. I don't wonder that the Holy Spirit recorded Saul's mules lost and found, camp six miles away. By this time, three other as it was really a daily miracle to me that the children found the cows. Some cows would reworkers had come and they stayed at Andover spond to the call, "Sook, heifer," but many would not stir. until I could leave Blackwood in the hands of Miss In those early days, an amusing incident oc- Jennie Henry. Workers were also located at other curred in the mining camp where Miss McPhee- ters worked. She was a teacher who assisted mining camps-Stonega, Osaka, Roda, West Nor- (unremunerated) the public school teacher. While I was visiting her one day, a young minister asked ton, Sutherhind, Roaring Fork, Pardee, Inman, us to be witnesses to a marriage ceremony. The young man came in with a red bandana tied Imboden and Upper Imboden. As the camps around his neck, and on his head a hat which did not fit. The bride, who had not thought much opened for us, we had students come from Nyack about a wedding outfit, was a shy girl about eight- een or twenty. The minister plaeed a chair in Institute and Moody Bible Institute, until we have front of him in place of a marriage stool, and the groom thought this an invitation to sit down. had over one hundred workers at different times. When asked if he wanted a ring ceremony, the young man was at a loss and, turning to a boy Some were there only during vacation but others with him who wore a large gaudy ring, said, "Here, Sam, loan me your ring for a minute. I'll remained longer, and some are still in Virginia, give it right back."
though not in the camps. Miss Collins has lived When the minister asked: "John, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" he answered in one camp, Roda, for more than thirty years. lustily, "You bet." The minister turned to the After Miss Henry came to Blackwood I returned bride with a similar question but she could not speak, and said, "Uh huh." to Appalachia, where a new mission was being After the ceremony was over, the groom caught built. We moved into the unfinished rooms and hold of his wife's hand and started for the door when the boy with the ring said, "pay the different preachers came to hold services in the preacher." The groom turned and asked, "How much do you charge?" When told that he could chapel, part of which was completed. give what he wished, according to how much he thought of his wife, the groom smiled and said, It would read like a fairy tale, should I tell of "I sure do think a heap of her. Here is a quarter" -with the air of a millionaire. the many evidences of the Lord's care. Friends As time passed, our number of workers grew sent things to us, so that we never really lacked, until several camps were occupied and this work was called "The Appalachia Mining Camp Misthough at times our faith was tested. sion." We had no demands for reports which, personally, I had found superficial in my former While living in Preacher Creek, Miss Church work. But at our monthly workers' meetings, a secretary wrote down testimonies as to how the had typhoid fever, and the friends there were un- Lord had led and blessed – each one – also the trials and failures. These records are kept as retiring in their assistance. We seldom had to cook minders of God's faithfulness.
a meal, as everything was sent in already cooked. An Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in Big Stone Gap, Dr. Lloyd, a fine Christian and a Our workers took turns in helping to nurse her, and it taxed everyone's strength, as she was bed- fast seventy-two days. It proved to us the un- tiring devotion of workers and people.
Preacher Creek was, in someways, different from the other places where I have lived. The revival there touched every home and made us all seem like a large loving family. All came to church and there seemed to be no division among the peo- pIe-all lived in harmony and love. Three orphan children came to live in my home. One little darling girl, Milford, would often beg me to adopt her, though she scarcely knew the meaning of the word.
"Why Milford," I would say, "your father and mother could not do without you."
"Oh, yes," she said, "they have Gertrude, and Maggie, and Edith, and two dead. They have enough."
"Well," I replied, "you have two dead you say, so you can't be ,spared."
"Oh," she said, "they were little boys. Mama never had much luck with boys."
She lived with me a long while and the dear memory lingers. She is now mother of a large family, to whom she tells about the time she lived
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
true missionary, invited our band of workers to monthly for conference and prayer so that we his home. He had a wonderful ancestry of for- often had thirty at our table for two days as they eign missionaries, and his son was a missionary could not return the same day on our little interin Japan. He assisted us in every way that he state train. These were times of rich blessings could. He had· already begun to place Episcopal and refreshment. deaconesses in a few needy places, but when he saw that the church dress was a hindrance, he The reports, which are very rich in experiences, show how wonderfully the Lord fulfils His prom- THE ~'IRST SUNDAY SCHOOL AT KERMIT ises. Some testimonies were quaint and mirthful, showing the crude initiation into the strange ways urged them to use ordinary clothing, which he did of camp life. Some workers learned quickly the also, except in his own church. .In this way he ways of our people but even at that there were won the love and esteem of all. some misunderstandings and mistakes.
Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd gave us a delightful time of Once I was asked to take a little girl eight years fellowship. When he asked me how we were sup- old. I went up to Roda Camp to see her and deported, I told him that I asked of each mine su- cided to adopt this little darling and gave her my perintendent for a rent-free house, electric lights mother's name, Elsa. After six months another and coal, but for salary the workers trusted the little g~rl was added to our family. She was one Lord, who always supplied our needs in wonder- of our Sunday school scholars, and after the ful ways. "How can you maintain love and har- funeral of her step-mother, the motherless little mony among them all on this basis?" he asked. one, Olive, ran up to the Mission and her father It never had occurred to me to look for trouble finally gave her to me. Two years later, I also ,along this line and I said, "Why, the ones who adopted her little sister so that my home was come here are willing to put up with some diffi- blessed with three little girls. They were dearly culties as their invitation to the work includes loved by all our workers. All three grew to sweet hardships, poverty, dirt, misunderstandings, and womanhood, and married.. It pays to invest in the winning of souls. In not one case has the chidren, and if my health ,allowed, I would gladly applicant been discouraged." open my home for more of God's little ones.
In all the years the Mining Camp Mission One day in school, the children were told to existed, there was little trouble among the work- write the full names of their parents. Little Olive ers. Of course, at times there were disagree- wrote, "My mama's name is Miss Ellen Bergren, ments, but our workers were most untiring and and my papa's name is Mr. James Skidmore." It never once was a reprimand necessary for neglect never occurred to her that anything could be of duty; instead, necessary lines were drawn to wrong with it. The teacher, who was also one of prevent their overdoing. our Sunday school teachers, handed me the slip laughing. Nursing was necessary and many nights were spent by sick beds. There is a mountain custom, Another time, during presidential election, all whenever anyone dies, for neighbors to sit up the children were having a mock election. When with the dead all night; in some cases they sing Olive's name was not among them, she was asked hymns. One of the few laws enforced was that, when tired out with the living, the workers must THE KERMIT CHURCH AND "PARSONAGE" let the people of the place "wake" with the dead. why she did not vote. "Well," she said, "I am As new mining camps opened for workers, our what mama is." family increased until fourteen camps were manned. From these our workers gathered "Well, what is that?" "I can't spell it but she is a perditionist (mean- ing prohibitionist)." The other children thought that must be all right if Olive's mother was that. A child asked Elsa one day where her father
was. She answered that she did not need any A little later a little boy was brought to the father. Mission. Next day he came down with the measles, and Nancy caught them too. Everything in the "Well," insisted the child, "who gets the 'vittles' Mission was new and strange to' Louis. He had for you?" never heard the name of Jesus except in swearing, and our Mission was like a new world to him. The "Oh," said Elsa, "we just pray and God sends little girls were his teachers, and we could often us all we need. We don't need any daddy." hear them say, "Louis, you must not say that, it isn't nice," or "Louis, Mama don't let anybody As this was a new way of support to this child, talk like that here." He learned the stO'ries in the she wanted to know more about it. So Elsa, hav- children's Bible and the little missionaries truly ing witnessed the almost numberless answers to began in virgin soil. Louis loved to sing and prayers both for food and clothing, spread the learned quickly. Like Faith, he used his own truth among her schoolmates about a life of de- words and tunes, and as he sat in a swing on the pendence on God. porch he would sing with all his might: There was nothing too hard for these children, Jesus is good, He wants all the people to come to Him and I often feared that their faith would have a and be good. severe test. But today, I cannot remember more than once when the waiting for an answer seemed The people don't want to come; no they want to be bad, to be so long that they would ask, "Why don't God poor little Jesus. answer? We have asked Him." They were told that God sometimes answers in the negative.
Out of their small weekly allowance the chil- The children often played Sunday school, and dren tithed faithfully. It was made a rule that Louis liked to be preacher. each unkind word was to cost the speaker a penny. This started a turn for the better as it put an end Other children were brought to the Mission, but to petty quarreling. with the work of the mining camps and incoming workers to place, we could not keep them all. For One day Olive came to me very much wrought a time we had seven and a worker volunteered to up, and 'said, "Mama, I've got to lose some money. be their teacher. I have to tell Elsa a few things." She told me the trouble and that was the last I heard of it. Per- In my earliest years in Appalachia, I had many haps she did not feel that the few words she would opportunities to visit other oommunities and assay would be worth the loss of her pennies. sist in meetings. With a little baby organ (a great wonder to many) I led the singing, and When little Faith was five years old, she began many were helped to trust in GO'd for their salto go to the chapel part of the Mission, and con- vation, rather than trust in good deeds, good feelduct services alone. It was touching to listen as ings, in something imaginary, such as a vision of she prayed, gave out hymns, and sang lustily to light or hearing some voke, or in emotion created an improvised accompaniment of her own. Her by a song. These are often accepted as tokens of keen musical ear would not allow any discord, and the New Birth, without the person knowing anyat six she had made up several compositions en- thing of God's promises and the way of life in tirely herself. The older girls taught her some Christ. The greater number of backslidings can easy tunes and to these she put her own words. be traced to the lack of knowledge of the Bible. One, which she was always asked to play for visitor,s, ran like this: The first mission building soon became too small for our large family, so, little by little, the Jesus comes; Jesus goes. addition of rooms began. The last was built when When He comes He stays a little while; it seemed best to put the growing work in the caore When He comes, He goes. of stronger hands.
One day a little girl of six was left on,our front Everything was clear to both parties. The understanding was that these four rooms were to porch aWndhewnasw, etolfdoutnod stay there until someone be built for me, as the first money of $500 was came. her there, she said that given for a rent-free home, so the givers would still wish to have it so. They would not hear to she had come to Istay with Miss Bergren." She was any other arrangement, and the gentleman with whom I dealt said that there would be no trouble. a robust little one and said that she could work So we began building the rooms, but, alas, when we were half finished a letter came from his well, and that at Elly's she did "every lick of headquarters that I must sign over the whole without any clause as to my reservation of rooms. work." I asked why Elly did not work and she The readjustments came asa remarkable answer to prayer s.o that the work then continued until answered, "Oh, she was sick and lazy till she died." regular minis,ters and nurses were stationed in We tried to find out who Elly was, but no one knew; we only learned that Jim brought the child to us and told her to stay. We could not find out who either Jim or Elly were. So the child re- mained. All she knew was that her own name was Nancy.
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
the mining camps. The spiritual workers left the lamps were ruined, chairs were broken, and all field and so-clalled trained social workers replaced was in a pitiable condition. It seemed impossible the Gospel with classes for domestic science, to bring back the former life. nursing, and other good projects that are still not up to the highest standard of a missionary who One day, in late summer, I stood on our front seeks to lead souls to God. porch. I was tired and worried, and my heart cried out: "0 God, take me away from here. I When it se~med wise to leave the Mining Camp can't do any more here, my people love excitement work we moved to Kermit, Virginia, where we more than reality, and some other place needs us built a house and chapel used for school and more." An answer came so real as to be nearly church work. Since a county s,chool has been audible: "Child, do you want to leave now? I built here, the chapel is used for church services have none to stand in The Gap for me. They have only. It was a needy place, seven miles from any not gone back on you but on Me. Will you still other chur·ches and schools to which no one could go away?" walk on the impossible clay roads in the winter. It was sad to leave so many wonderful friends I fell down on my knees, crying out, "0 my behind in Appalachia but as churches of three Lord, if you wish me to stay here, I will never denominations were there it seemed right to go again ask to be moved. I am ready to stand in where there were none. The Gap if it is Thy will, as long as I live."
The first years· here were constructive in the As a shower refreshes the parched earth, so like beginnings of many kinds of classes for grown- a miracle God began to move. The preacher got ups as well as children. A tabernacle was built In trouble with a member of his former followers, in a shady place where services were held in sum- and the church in an adjoining community asked mer, and little rustic cabins were built for classes. him to resign. A shame-faced people came back In all the schools conducted by our workets the to Kermit church, and in a most miraculous way, Bible has a large place, and hundreds of verses things began to be normal again. have been committed to memory by the children. There were very few Sundays. when we did not About two years after this experience, when have from one to three preaching services-morn- some had forgotten that this preacher was still ing, after Sunday school, afternoon and at night. abroad, reports came that he was in jail. One day there was a knock on the door and there stood An unknown preacher, who had had a marvel- the same man. I cried to God for wisdom to ous success in his last revival in a neighboring handle the situation. Then I told him plainly community, came to hold revival services in Ker- that he had stirred up confusion, and scattered mit and filled the church to overflowing every our people to such an extent that some were night. He swayed the people with a hypnotic worse than ever before. He wanted to gather the power, and all our folks were converted over people in Kermit, so as to draw the members from again. Then he wanted to build a church, but as Cowan's Branch (the church in the next commulong as he could have the church free, the people nity where they asked him to resign). But since decided not to build. For six months or more, his motives were wrong I could not allow him to they followed him wherever he preached, going preach anymore. in trucks to distant places. Religiously, Kermit was ruined. Noone knows the anguish we en- I have only touched the borders of the years. dured during this time. It seemed that everybody A veil has been drawn over many sad experiences, was running after the man except a few who did and I have touched only a few of the many which not believe in him or his ways. have been true miracles. May the work go on and on in different ways and places, doing the The large crowds had caused much damage to true s'ervice through many of our missionaries the church building which had settled over six who are claiming the promise that they will bring inches so that every window was tilting. Our forth fruit even in old age. May the Lord who pipeless furnace had to be cut off several inches has done so much for this work in these thirty-six as the register projected above the floor. The years still carry on the work after He has called us. Home.
A Christian Philasapy far Rural Wark*
By FRANK w. PRICE, Nanking, China Head of Department of the Rural Church, Nanking Theological Seminary A PHILOSOPHY of Christian rural work is villages in the rural community. Governments now needed. Interest in rural reconstruc- are meeting some of these needs; non-Christian tion and the betterment of rural life is ris- agencies are meeting others. But unmet needs ing like a. mighty tide all over the world. The are legion. The Christian group should study its Christian Church is aware of its opportunity and community, select the greatest needs, and do what responsibility in meeting the needs of the "rural it can to meet them through promotion of good billion," especially in less privileged lands. Gov- causes, pioneering in new fields, holding up Chris- ernment and social agencies are promoting large': tian aims and ideals in social change, or through scale programs. What should the Church do that the leadership which the church contributes. It will be unique and fruitful? should seek, above all, to meet the deeper moral Many Christian missionary institutions are add- and spiritual needs of individuals and in society.
ing departments of rural service and are begin- 3. We must see the rural man or woman as a ning new rural experiments. Small groups of complete personality; we must see village life as Christians are answering calls of need from rural a whole. In the words of the Jerusalem declara- areas. Special types of training are given to those tion: "Man is a unity, and his spiritual life is preparing for rural service. In some countries indivisibly rooted in all his conditions, physical, governments are looking to Christian organiza- mental and social." The Christian Church should tions for special assistance. Agricultural missions reach men, women and children and seek to in- and the rural church are an essential part of the fluence them in all their family and social rela- world Christian movement. Christian individuals ti.ons. We want to make better citizens, citizens and groups must have a clear vision of aims, defi- of the community and of the nation, Christian nite guiding principles, a firm underlying phi- citizens. The various aspects of rural service losophy of Christian rural service, and a faith in must be integrated so that the whole life of the their cause, if the Christian Church is to make community is improved. Rural Christian leaders any distinctive contribution to the remaking of should see more clearly the relation between the village life in harmony with Christ's ideals in the many factors in rural betterment – health im- twentieth century. provement, higher standards of living, richer in- Ten guiding principles must be vital elements tellectual life, better community organization, the of this philosophy. These may stimulate thought development of stronger character and more un- among Christian rural workers, especially in the selfish leadership, and more vital Christian ex- lands of the younger churches. perience, because they see each person as a whole 1. We should be openly Christian. Christians and rural life as a whole. Our task is to arouse or groups of Christians engaging in rural service the desire and the will for a better life, and to should be openly and fearlessly Christian. As show the way to wholeness of life-in the Chris- Christians we have a distinctive faith and mission tian sense, salvation.
and our work should reveal a distinctive spirit of 4. We should attempt a limited program of high a fellowship and a unique power because of their quality. The program which a Christian group allegiance to Christ and His cause. We should not or a church in a rural community should attempt hesitate to express our Christian purpos.e, to seek will be determined by the leadership and member- opportunities for witnessing to our faith and ex- ship available; by the method of organization and perience, and to work unreservedly for the build- financial resources, by the opportunities presented ing up of a Christian fellowship in the community. for service, and by the faith and spirit of the 2. We should help to rr/,eet rural needs. The group. The aim should be to work intensively Christian gIloup should be seriously concerned rather than extensively. It is better to become with the needs of individuals, of families, and of intimately acquainted with one small rural com- • From a paper Issued by the Agricultural Missions Foundation, munity of fifty to a hundred villages and to do a Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. fruitful and lasting work than to spread in a [310 ] superficial way over many hundreds or thousands 7. We should make large use of local resources. of villages. Good, intensive work, done intelli- The ordinary Christian institution or group cangently and effectively, will be in the eD.d the best not command the financial resources which govkind of extensive work. We should aim at quality ernments and some non-official .agencies can comrather than quantity of service. We must resist mand. The Christian group must make large use the temptation to promote the kind of work that of local resources and develop local initiative and can be "shown off" to visitors.. We must see the leadership as much as possible. The village peovalue of little things well done and of unpreten- ple themselves must have a large and growing tious service with results that may not be imme- part in the working out of local programs. Any diately apparent but that are of lasting value. No help from outside should be used to stimulate and matter how limited the area of work or how simple encourage local planning and effort. Only thus the program, we should combine scientific knowl- can the rural church hope to become rooted in the edge, the best educational methods, and Christian rural community. devotion and sacrifice in realizing our aim of essentially good and permanent work. 8. We should cooperate as much as possible with other agencies and groups. Churches and all 5. We should go into the villages and live among Christian groups should cooperate in every way the people. Christian rural workers should con- possible with government and other agencies tinually go among the people and not wait for working for rural welfare, but must not sacrifice them to come to the workers and their institutions. or compromise their Christian faith and prin- Christian work in a rural community must be ciples. Following the inspiring example of Bishop deeply rooted in homes and village groups. The Grundtwig of Denmark, the Church should help central institution, service center or church build- the government to "revive the national spirit" by ing may be a me"eting place, training school or teaching Christian ideals of patriotism and by house of worship, but it should draw p€ople out building up the morale of the people. Where other of their homes and villages only to send them back organizations in the community are meeting a to serve and to transform their homes and their need, we may cooperate or support their work; communities. We must go "deep into the villages" where a vital need is not being met, we may help (to use the Chinese phrase); spend days and to arouse government attention or community innights in the villages, live among the rural people, terest and to organize the people to help themshare their joys and their sorrows, sacrifice and selves; frequently we may introduce outside agenendure with them. The ordinary rural worker cies and institutions for rural betterment to the will not do this, or he will attempt it for a short local community or bring groups in the commuperiod and then want to return to the more com- nity in touch with outside agencies which might fortable life of the market-town, the county seat assist them. We should do all in our power to deor the metropolitan center. The constant tempta- velop a community spirit, and community cooperation is to do rural work from an office or by occa- tion. At the same time, we must stand upon sional trips into the villages. Followers of Christ, Christian ground and never deny our Christian our Master, should be willing not only to go among purpose and principles. the rural people but to stay among them. If we can do this, we shall have an assured place in the 9. We should constantly stress the moral basis remaking of rural life. of rural reconstruction which is hindered by powerful forces of selfishness and greed. The 6. We should stress personal relationships and Christian group should be united and daring in small group organizations. What is the Chris- its opposition to all evils which it sees in individtian approach to the villages? First of all, through ual and community life. It should openly proclaim genuine friendship; then through unselfish forms Christian teachings in the face of any wrong and of service, and finally but exceedingly important, injustice even though such a stand may cost perthrough the organization of small, voluntary, co- secution and suffering. It should strive continoperating groups. These groups should aim to ually to strengthen and to organize effectively pubmeet some definite need of the group itself or of lic opinion and common effort against community community life. They should be self-helping and evils and against all forces in and out of the comself-directing from the beginning with such inti- munity which are hindering the fullest developmate and expert counsel and training from the ment of community life. It should preserve and outside as may be available. They' should not be strengthen the best traditions and customs in the mere formal organizations but should be warm villages and build upon the worthy spiritual elewith the spirit of friendship and should give a ments in the cultural inheritance of .the people. broader and deeper meaning to those p€rsonal re- It should call the rural communities to moral and lationships in family and social life which are spiritual life and ideals as well as to material adessential to the preservation of rural society. vance and, through the teaching and the power of
Christ, seek to regenerate as well as to recon- tribute something vital and unique to all the rural struct the lives of rural peoples. reconstruction in the community.
10. We should build up the church, which is the We look forward to the day when there will be permanent ex;pression of the Christian faith and in every rural community throughout the world a spirit in rural rebuilding. Hence we seek to bring strong rural Christian Church, deeply rooted in together in group worship, group study, group rural culture, serving community needs and transfellowship and group service, all Christians and forming community life, united in prayer and in all seekers. for Christian truth in the rural com- fellowsMp, teaching a real love of country and munity. The guiding, teaching and building up releasing the spiritual possibilities of the villages, of such a group becomes an essential task in Chris- indigenous but also vitally connected with the tian rural work. It is not enough to live and to Church of Christ-historic and universal. In a serve as Christians in rural communities; we fellowship of rural churches around the world, a must also find and win comrades in the Christian fellowship of Christian farmers and their famfaith and life and bind these together into a strong ilies, a brotherhood of men and women who are brotherhood. Ministers and lay workers must be helping to feed and to clothe the world and who found and trained to serve in such a church. A worship God and serve His Son, the Galilean Carchurch-centered program; broadly conceived and penter-Farmer, lies one of the greatest hopes of wisely carried out, will not divide the rural neigh- world peace. We must build up the rural church borhood but will help to unite it, and will con- in all lands, among ,all peoples.
The New Urgency in the Congo* -'I~I========~B~Y~R~E~V~.~M~O~TT==E==M~A~R~T~IN========~II~ DR. JOHN R. MOTT, after personal investi- ance of those thus studying our Bible is about gation, has declared that a dollar goes fur- 40,00.0 pupils! Hundreds and hundreds of our ther and accomplishes more in Africa than converts are coming out of these schools yearly, in any other field which he has visited-and he and as we wish to have a "self-supporting, selfhas visited them all! Of all the fields I know, governing, and self-propagating Church," this is. there is none more seriously menaced and which our hope for deacons and elders and pastors, for so urgently demands your sacrificial interest and all such must be intelligent and have clerical abilprayers as the Congo! ity to qualify.
The Southern Presbyterian mission during the The theological seminary at Mutoto is the first five years of this last decade (1928-1932) largest in the Southern Presbyterian Church, with received into the communion 9,455 carefully in- the snudents all married, thus giving the wives an structed and probation-tested converts-but dur- opportunity for special training, and through reing the last five years (1933-1937) received 19,205 quired plantations and gardens able to be largely communicants! Note the astounding rate of in- self-supporting. All must teach the village (or crease-and know that we have over 35,000 now "bush") schools; they must speak some French under preparation, already enrolled in the cate- to pass government inspection; they must know chumen clas·ses, also being tested. Open doors how to lead and instruct their congregations in wide open-thronged with needy supplicants beg- singing; they must be adepts as soul-winners; as ging to be taught! Over 2,000 preaching points well as able expositors of God's Holy Word. All daily trying to tell of the Way, the Truth and the applicants must have had their station (high Life – with yet hundreds of other villages and school) diploma of nine years schooling as a pregroups still on our waiting list begging and plead- requisite for entrance! ing for teachers. The mission:s medical work is also indispen- In addition to direct evangelistic work, we are sable, in that it breaks up inherited superstitions cooperating with the Colonial Government in their of the Voodoo and of animism; it continually wins nine-year educational program which permits us the loyalty of entire villages; and affords countto use. the Bible throughout. The average attend- less opportunities for personal soul-winning. The five hospitals have over 300,000 native visits • Reprinted from Th,e Chffi8tian 01/8eTWr.
THE NEW URGENCY IN THE CONGO
yearly; they perform hundreds of operations; if you had to care for large expansion and incare for all epidemics and scourges; besides car- creased needs? ing for over 2,000 lepers. The health of the missionaries and of our thousands of workers is de- Belgium has, launched a new educational propendent upon them and answered prayers; and gram for the Congo, which provides for nine years neither priest nor pauper ever calls upon them in of education, but sub.divided into three-year perivain. ods. For the first three-year period, the law looks forward to the establishing of little chapel-schools The mission is now attempting to minister to in every small community or tribal group, and the over 45,000 communicants, all of whom were not law further provides that any cult or confession, only received into the church after long instruc- whose teachers are qualified to teach the first tion and probation, but are statedly tested and three-year part of their curriculum, shall have the approved at each communion season, as to whether full protection of their laws; and furthermore, they are "doers of the doctrine." Using the old that the people of that group or village shall be Scotch "token" system, we give a ticket only to protected in their choice of such religious teacher. those whose lives are dedicated and obedient to Even previous to the promulgation of this law, Him. every station had scores and hundreds of such vil- lages on their "waiting lists," for whom we had "How then," you may ask with others, "can it no money in our budget nor prepared "preacherbe true that our mission is seriously menaced, as teachers" well enough trained for such positions. was stated in the opening paragraph of this letter?" The answer is that the mission is both The priests and nuns, who are now encountered under-staffed and under-financed! The average everywhere, have made the situation far more age of the present missionary group is past fifty, acute still, for on arriving in a village where no without any younger men being trained to take Protestant work is manifest, they call the village our places, and with an actual decrease in num- head men, demanding in the name of the law that bers. More pertinently, the mission has succeeded all the children be turned over to them for inand expanded, so that at least twenty more work- struction. The people, loyal to us whom they have ers are needed to maintain the previous degree of learned to love, protest that they are Protestants, efficiency. Among other extensions the mission and that they are looking to us 'and our Church has been forced to open up two more stations for instruction. So the priest departs, threaten- (there are seven now), thus withdrawing mis- ing that when he returns some weeks hence to find sionaries from already over-worked stations to that no Protestant teacher has been installed, he man the new ones. The scattered 'Tillage groups will establish his own school and chapel, or else which we control have increased from 1,100 indict the chief for lying and obstructing the (1928) to over 2,000 now, and we must visit and colonial Program by leaving his children uneducare for these regularly. Every department of cated. Alarmed, distressed, the chief and his peoour work has been enlarged, improved, extended, ple, scorning inconvenience or season, rush into increased in our attempt to hold our own; so that the mission station demanding the teacher for each missionary has far more tasks than either whom they have, awaited so long. Alas, and alas! his health, or the good of the work, can justify. Our little remnant of a budget has already been stretched beyond the breaking point, we can do As to financial support-the peril is even more nothing. So the priest enters, propaganda begins grave, but I trust not more hopeless! The facts against the heretic foreigners, gifts and school speak for themselves, for we have less than one- supplies are lavishly given, and even threats and half of our previous budget, and just a little more blows and unbelievable ruthlessness are employed than one-third. The actual figures in Belgian to prevent the people from visiting us or hearing francs, the currency of Congo, are as follows: the Gospel message. Before the depression the American Church gave us $65,212 which dropped to $25,000 during the Nevertheles,s, the people are remaining loyal to depression. Simultaneously, the exchange rate the Evangelical mission, and many are enduring fell from thirty-five and one-half francs per dollar great sacrifice and poverty and suffering in those to twenty and one-half francs, so that the actual places where we do not desert them. But in the amount in francs dropped from 2,315,026 francs rapidly growing number of those villages which before the depression to 512,500 francs-less than we cannot "occupy," the priests are locking and one-fourth of what we needed! This lowest figure barring the doors, against us and religious freehas been raised little by little until, with the ad- dom, so that in areas dominated by the priests for dition of two new stations, we now receive francs ten years, the children have even hooted the pass- 861,097 ($29,693 at 29 francs to the dollar). If ing missionary, an almost unheard of rudeness for your church budget, or your business, or house- the native Congolese. My conviction is that if keeping budget, were suddenly to be cut down to our Church does not awaken and soon, God will one-third, how would you get along, especially not hold open the doors another ten years.
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I Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE•• INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Do Personal Work with Christian teaching and fel- magazine is not suitable for a lowship those people have. With boy in reform school, is it suit- A state Communist leader once able on your own library table? came to talk to a group who at the pastor and his wife, go sevthe time included members of eral other members of a town *** the national staff of a Missions congregation to "help with the and Christian Education Board. singing," to give an increased In one of our smaller cities sense of fellowship, to make a lives a young woman with a love I remember clearly his state- hard trip easier. of music and ability as a direcment that a member of the party tor of singing. The paid music in good standing, working full There are services within leadership of her own church time at a job, was required to reach of most of us, where our leaves no room for her to use give four full evenings a week lJresence might mean the differ- that ability, but she does not find to Communist activities, meet- ence between success and failure. that any excuse for leaving her ings., propaganda, or other work Search out one such piece of talent unused. She found that for the party. Christian work and give an eve- a group of children in a mission ning a week to it. It will in- church in the same city were At the time it struck me that crease your worth to your own eager for a children's choir and if Christian church membershilp church. It will encourage your one evening a week finds her involved that, our active mem- worker-in-charge. It will carry busy training her sweet-voiced bership would hardly be worth forward the missionary task of group. Sunday evenings they counting. And yet-would it not your church. form the choir for the service of be a minority as effective in the church. Anyone who has its contagion as Communism? *** had much to do with a choir More so, because of its s.piritual knows the number of hours she life, light and reality! Over in Boston lives a mis- must put in outside of timesl of sionary woman, retired from In- actual contact with the children; There are people who are giv- dia.. She is hard of hearing and planning their work, choosing ing such service for Christ's music suitable for various occacause. If we note some of them, the possibilities of active service sions, solving problems. She is it may help suggest some ave- semed at an end. Yet she pluck- doing far more than training a nues of personal service for our- children's choir. She is leading selves – personal missionary ily undertook to learn to write a group of underprivileged chilservice. dren along a path of beauty; she Braille. With painstaking care is enlisting and developing their North of Sault Ste. Marie, On- she has worked at translating abilities fOir Christian service, tario, Canada, runs a gravelled she is giving them a warm, vital road due north. Twenty-five into the familiar Hindi of the contact with her own Christian miles out it ends. From there to field of her labors, stories being personali ty. Hudson Bay there is nothing. It used in Christian education. is still pioneer country up there. Then with meticulous care she There are children from coast The "bush," which has grown has pricked into the raised dots up after logging, is forest again the story or the Bible pass1age or to coast, from northern border and here and there iSi a little log to south, who are crying out for cabin. Small farms are being mess·age for the blind to read. cleared. Russian, Finn, French, Hindi Braille! Her days of serv- Christian leadership. Children English stnck-they are pushing ice over? Retired? She is open- in city, in village, in country and the wilderness back. Along that ing the eyes of the blind as mountains, needing a contact, if road every Thursday evening, only once a week, to guide their while the road is not blocked surely as she did in the days of activities along worthwhile lines with snow, there goes the cir- her medical service in India. and to give them definite contact cuit pasitor and his wife, to hold with Christian personality. You a service for all who will come There are services you can can render vital service if you to the tiny chapel in a little set- render in preparing materials are willing to give an evening or tlement. It is the only contact for use in mission fields at home two a week to it. and abroad. There is that ever- present implement-the needle. There is the hammer and the paint brush and the saw. There are books to be collected, maga- zines to be gathered for use in prisons. And by the way, if a [ 314 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
What, you say, has local To feed these children at the move out. The woman telling about it, said that she and her church work to do with mis- Center one nourishing lunch a family were utterly ashamed of belonging to a community which sions? Who said local church day, the churches of the county could do such a thing. She spoke very feelingly about the sense work? Whenever you step out -one church each week-under- of contrition which comes to one in the face of circumstances like of your own local church en- took to collect what was needed. that.
vironment, to go to the aid of a But at this point came a fail- First, let us rej oice in the growing number of people who group not able to provide its , ure which, to the visitor, seemed have a deep sense of shame and contrition at the possibility of own leadership, you are in a rather embittering. In spite of such action.
sense engaging in missionary ac- all the wealth and all the power- Second, let us see what we can do about it. There is a tivity. We have left too much ful modern automobiles owned deeper problem than that of bringing 'Public opinion to bear home missions work to the over- in those churches, not one per- upon the agent and the dwellers in that apartment house. The worked members of our home son could be found willing to de- editor of these pages was aching to ask in that conference, how missions s,taffs. Too many of liver thoee supplies to the Cen- many persons there pres,ent had ever entertained a Negro person us fail to see, that beyond our ter. After a week of exhausting as a guest in their homes.
financial support of home and work, heartbreaking in some of For after all, there lies the root of that particular trouble. foreign missions which provides its revelations, those three girls To entertain a Negro guest wa's such an unusual thing in that the continuity of work and had to collect and carry to the community that when an apart- ment house dweller attempted it, workers, we s,till owe the gift Center, unload and store away, she had to give up her apart- ment. The next step for all that is more difficult to make— all the food supplies for the fol- those who feel contrition, is to make the entertaining of Negro the gift of our own time and lowing week. guests such a common observ- ance in their neighborhood that talents in direct personal serv- Can you not imagine the it will cease to draw attention ice. When we render such serv- women of those churches saying and to cause unfavorable comice, we grow in understanding as too many of us say on similar ment. and in power. We speak with occasions, "We've collected the authority as we seek to enlist the things needed. It seems that There are few of us who can members of our local church in the least they can do is to come make our voices heard in breaka deep concern for the work of after them!" It would have been ing down racial prejudice. But the church at home and abroad. a little thing to those church peo- as has been the case since time began, What you do speaks Our cause is not to be com- ple, taking long drives to cool louder than what you say.
pared with the Communist cause. off in the hot summer evenings, Why not plan during this next year to take a person of an un- Shall we, then, give it a lesser to load the car and drive in the accepted racial minority in your community to at least one of devotion? direction of the Center. A heavy your miss,ionary meetings as a guest. That is one of the easiest Give Full Measure – burden they put upon those tired steps, for there at least you find workers by their failure to do so. some persons theoretically if Running Over! not in actual practice believing Many of us will be involved in in racial equality.
A visitor to a Christian Cen- projects of one sort and another, Why not have as a dinner ter' in Ohio, where children of collecting that which we would guest at least once, the most inmigrant onion – field workers share, and getting it to those teresting person of another race were being kept and cared for with whom it is to be shared. whom you can secure. Make it during the day, found three In planning such enterprises, a real occasion. Invite your let us remember that full meas- guest because of a common inyoung .women doing a tremen- ure – running over – involves terest, or because of some dous piece of work. Faced with finishing u~ the project our- accomplishment along lines inappalling need on every side they were reaching out to the selves" not leaving part of it to full limit of their time and weary workers who are glad to strength to bring health and have our gifts to distribute but Christian teaching – the touch whose joy would be the greater of it that was possible – to as to have full measure of help.
many children as they could in Creating Public Opinion the weeks during which the Cen- ter was maintained. At a recent conference on Children, utterly worn out missionary education in Chi- with the attempt to sleep on cago, one woman got up and told hard boards in bare shacks with about an experience a friend of no netting to keep out the hordes hers had. The friend, a lover of of mosquitoes, were put to bed music, had invited one of the under mosquito-netting on a mat most famous, singers of today, a in the grass, and were allowed Negro woman, to be her guest at to sleep as long as they would. dinner in her apartment in a Children suffering from the ail- northern city. The other occu- ments that come from lack of pants of the apartment house food, no milk, and few of the had combined to force the agent nutritive elements needed, were to refuse to re-lease her the served a hot lunch at noon. apartment. The friend had to
teresting to some member of for following an address. Can during the address, questions, your family, or because the one we do anything about it? small or great which occurred invited is a stranger in this We certainly can. In the first to them. These were collected country, or because you are' place we can recognize the fact at the close and given to the working together on a commit- that most subjects presented by speaker. As they were answered tee and want to spend the eve- most speakers do not stimulate by her, other questions began to ning working together. The discussion. Unless we are sure be hastily written and passed invitation must rise out of a real that discussion will be stimu- forward. The question period desire to have that person in the lated, we should not plan for it had to be brought forcibly to a midst of your family and must or announce it. It is often a lazy close. Another method is pribe a happy experience for all in- idea on our part, for by it we vately to ask several clear-thinkvolved. have avoided having to build up ers among the listeners to jot Why not have as your house the program in line with the down questions during the adguest at summer camp someone speaker's theme. First then, do dress or presentation, and to be of another race? Students in not plan for discussion unless ready to ask them. It stimulates this country might find that a you are sure it will be spon- attentive listening to do this and real experience. A boy inter- taneous and valuable. if the group is merely shy about ested in the same hobby as your In the second place, there is starting questions a number of son's might bring more than questions like this to begin with pleasure in doing things to- the subject or address or speaker often sets things off to a good gether. which should stimulate discus- start. Still another and very sion under ordinary circum- good way is to have, either in Why not help your young peo- stances. Plan for discussion in the preceding open meeting or in the officer's meeting a preple to take with them to summer that case and announce it. But discussion of the speaker's be alert. If the speaker fails to theme. Some definite things the conference as a member of their group would like to find out may own group, some young person stimulate discussion, if the ad- be determined and thus quesof another race or nation whose dress has a tone such that its tions prepared. Or for those own church will not be sending message will be lost if followed who read a great deal, stimua group and who would be lonely by discussion, if circumstances lating questions regarding the going just as an individual? prove such that the audience point of view of some author cannot enjoy spontaneous dis- who writes on the subject may It is through the doing of cussion, if the majority will not be proposed. Avoid like poison these things that you are really want discuss,ion although a few the trite and banal question. creating public opinion. To are eager for it, rise gracefully There is nothing sends a speaker make the desirable so common into a fatal "spin" more easny in actual experience that it will to the occasion with a statement than a question like, "Do they be "the thing to do," will be which reverses the proposed pro- eat with their fingers?" after more effective in creating a gram arrangement. For in- she has p,resented a picture of friendly world than any amount stance, "We had planned for dis- the terrific problems faced by of mere talking about it. cussion, but I think we all agree the women of India in emerging that we s,hould prefer to close on from centuries of ignorance, Best Use of Question Periods superstition and binding custom. the note Miss Jones has sounded. Third then, where discussion is Who has not been at some Some of us will want to talk to legitimately planned, decide defimeeting or other upon whose her further,' quite informally nitely on the way in which quesprogram appears "Address, by tions are to rise and make some So-and-So" followed immediately after our meeting." Or, "Miss suggestion as to the type of below by that fatal line, "Discus- Jones has answered in a remark- questions which will be helpful. sion." The pres,iding officer able way the questions we had Bring questions or discussions rises, bright-faced, and turning thought of asking. Suppose we to a prompt close when time is on her charm like a lamp, pro- just omit the discussion period up or when desire for further poses, "Now I am sure we all questioning seems about to lag. have many questions we want to and have an informal chat with It is a good principle in question ask Miss Jones." Dead silence. her after we close." Second, "I have one myself," seys the then, be alert to eliminate a dis- periods, as in recreation, to stop officer smiling. One wonders cussion or question period you how much of the period of the short just before people are address she spent in trying to had planned but which you come formulate it! Miss Jones an- to feel will not be wise or effec- ready to quit. swers it with enthusiasm. Dead silence again. tive. Question and discussion peri- The "Discussion" on this pro- In the third place, develop a ods rightly used are excellent. gram was a flat failure. It technique for drawing questions. An interdenominational confer- ence of children's w 0 r k e rs, where each was a stranger to the other, had a most lively question couldn't have been worse. Yet period. At the outset of the You can become more expert in that is exactly what happens presentation the group listening using them helpfully if you study ninety-nine times out of a hun- was asked to keep paper and the reasons for your success or dred when questions are called pencil in hand and to jot down failure and try again. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ TAMBARAM SPEAKS FOR for action to an ecumenical con- that the pulse of the Christian ference, those delegates hold in Church is to be found in the HOME MISSIONS their hands the deciding votes throbbing life of its evangelistic By REV. HILDA L. IVES that can establish their inter- fervor. Here is the test of the The third International Mis- pretations of spiritual truth and reality of the Christian religion. sionary Council which met at that can express their spiritual Any church or any individual Tambaram, India, in December, ideals in Christ. I do not know Christian who lacks missionary 1938, made history. For the that there was any time at Tam- zeal is as a burnt-out coal on the first time in the record of ecu- baram when the colored dele- altar of the Living God, for a menical religious councils the gates as a whole were in opposi- transforming religious experimajority of the appointed dele- tion to the white delegates or ence brings the propulsive love gates were representatives of when the representatives of the and power of the Living Christ the colored races. To be exact, younger churches were in dis- and with this inflow of the Holy there were eight more colored agreement with the delegates of Spirit comes a sense of Divine delegates than there were white the older churches. But if acute Mission. In the words of the delegates. This fact has far- differences had existed, victory Tambaram findings, "There is a reaching implications for the was always possible for the sure indication that evangelism missionary cause. In the first younger churches. Such decid- is not due merely to the zeal of place, it means that the Chris- ing power will be increasingly Christian people, but rather is tian Church is now so deeply in the hands of the colored races the outcome of a Divine initiarooted throughout the world in the years to come. tive. The task can never be that it has taken on the sem- In the third place, this world- achieved wit h 0 u t :sacrifice. blance in color and in dignity of wide establishment of the Chris- Churches as well as individuals the family of nations as God tian Church means that the term are summoned to die unto themcreated them. God is an artist. "home missions" has new conno- selves and unto their own par- With the dawning of a new morn tations for all Christians. The ticular interests that the world He paints His skies with irrides- work of the Christian Church may be saved. Worship must cent hues. With the flaming can no longer be divided into lead to witness and spiritual rays of His dying sun, He sets "foreign missions" and "home growth to self-giving." These His heavens aglow with glorious missions," with the meaning words can well be a stimulus to color. Such a God would nat- that has existed in the past. the work of home missions.
urally create His children, His Every country now has its Tambaram laid an emphasis, family of nations, a colorful peo- strong indigenous C h r i s t ian as did the ecumenical conference ple. His Church is a colorful Church. Every country now has at Jerusalem, upon the strategic church, beautiful in the warm its home missions, consisting of importance of the Rural Church shades of brown, yellow, black all areas where Jesus Christ is in the stabilization of a chaotic an"d red, with enough white to not known. From the discus- world. This means, of course, make a perfect harmonious sions at Tambaram, it was the strategic importance of whole. This was shown to all brought out that all churches home missions in every nation.
Christian leaders who saw the are now considering the sending Tambaram emphasized the need Universal Church assembled in of Christian leaders to other of experts and specialists for all the beautiful new auditorium of lands as foreign missionaries. It the different phases of village the Madras Christian College at was suggested that India might life where human needs are the Tambaram. The Ecumenical well send from her Indian Chris- most pressing. This need was Church which represents Chris- tian Church foreign missionaries expressed in the findings in the tendom fairly in the future will to Africa, even as it was sug- following words, "Increasing the consist of inspired harmonious gested that America might con- fruitfulness of the land, raising leaders blended into a colorful sider the appointment of a fine the level of literacy and intelli- Negro Christian missionary to gence, providing wholesome unity of faith. In the second place, the pre- India. Such suggestions have recreation, turning slums to dominance of colored Christians tremendous import in the re- homes, rescuing people from meaus that at any time there is va1uation of the whole mission- financial exploitation or trying unanimity of opinion upon the ary cause. Tambaram asserted to prevent such sin, directing the r~solutions of findings presented again and again in its findings energies and the social instincts [317 J of youth into channels of whole- is right, who still feel the clasping sage of the mystic, Kahlil Gibsomeness and service-all these hands of love even when they go ran, but the period of directed are the blessed touch of the hand through pain and trial and loss, this prayer which followed its readof Christ when done by men and seed-spirit will spread, this nucleus ing was one of the high moments women filled with the love of will enlarge and create a society. of the conference. Christ and equipped with special knowledge for the task. . . . This excerpt from "Inner The commission group meet- Wherever possible the Church Life" by Rufus M. Jones ap- ings were held at Riverside should cooperate with govern- peared on the cover of the pro- Church, and in Hamilton and mental agencies contributing gram of the Metropolitan Chris- Business Halls at Columbia Uniher Christian spirit, her trained tian youth Conference held in versity. The unique feature of workers, her volunteer assist- New York City on March 3, 4, these commission groups was the ance and her deep interest to and 5, 1939. setting up of booths to resemble lift the level of the community's the World's Fair, called "The way of life." The committee of ten young World's Fair of Social Chal- people headed by the general lenges." In these booths were In conclusion, I would say that chairman, Mr. Oliver Powell of displayed the contributions of the message from Tambaram to the Metropolitan C h r i s t ian various racial groups and rehome missions is that home mis- Youth Council sought in their source materials on outstanding sions are thrilling opportunities arduous planning for this con- social questions. for service and for evangeliza- ference to spread this "seedtion within national boundaries. spirit" among the youth of the The subjects covered were: Foreign missions are the thrill- Metropolitan area. Their months Peace, Economic Problems, Race ing opportunities for service and of thoughtful, prayerful en- Relations, Jewish-Christian Refor evangelization within inter- deavor resulted in a well-bal- lations, Housing, Unemployment, national boundaries. Interest in anced program. both home and foreign missions Home and Marriage, Leisure will exist in the same person if The conference speakers were Time, Labor Problems and he is a true follower of the Mas- Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, World Christianity. ter. Home missions gives a minister host to the delegates, Christian an opportunity for Rev. Abraham J. Muste of the Some dealt with personal relimore direct practical concern Labor Temple, Dr. John Suther- gion, as, for instance questions and service to needy parts of his land Bonnell, pastor of the Fifth such as these: own nation, for a more intimate Avenue Presbyterian Church, knowledge· of many groups of and Mr. Oliver Powell. Anyone Is religion personal or social, or is underprivileged people and for doubting that youth is inter- religion personal and social? a definite part in the develop- ested in a pulpit message need ment of a constructive, vital pro- only to have witnessed the rapt Can I save myself without saving gram for the building of the attention given these conference others? Kingdom of God. The needs of speakers to be convinced that the home mission fields, close at youth will give ear to a message Can I be religious and not go to hand and sacrificially met, can of worth. church? open the heart to the needs of far-distant lands. Home mis- One of the outstanding mo- What would happen if young peosions is a spiritual and necessary ments in the services of worship ple really believed in Jesus? preparation for foreign mis- was that in which the words of sions. "Such movements are "The Prophet" were read. Does God have a purpose for every the urge of the Spirit to the life? If so, does the individual have Church to fulfil its great com- And an old priest said, "Speak to a definite part to play in carrying out mission, relying not merely upon us of religion." And he said: "Have that purpose or does he just find for human resources, but upon the I spoken this day of aught else?" himself something to do in advancing power of God. . . . The Church's the purpose? message to the world is the Lord Is not religion all deeds and all re- Jesus Christ Himself in all His flections, and that which is neither These young people faced honmanifold grace and power." deed nor reflection, but a wonder and estly and frankly these and many surprise ever springing in the soul, other problems. that confront YOUTHFUL BUILDERS even while the hands hew the stone youth today. or tend the loom? OF THE KINGDOM Naturally there was a diver- Who can separate his faith from sity of opinion, and both con- The Seed his actions, or his belief from his oc- servative and progressive poi~ts cupation? of view were presented. Our It was Jesus' faith that, if you get young people live in a world in into the world a seed of the Kingdom, Who can spread his hours before which they themselves must a nucleus of persons who exhibit the him, saying, "This for God and this choose what they shall believe blessed life, who are dedicated to ex- for myself; this for my soul, and this concerning the essential facts of panding goodness, who rely implicitly for my body? . . ." life and only as they think for on love and sympathy, who try in themselves can they grow into meek patience the slow method that He to whom worshipping is a win- men and women of principle and dow to open but also to shut, has not stable Christian character. yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn. Earnestness of purpose and youthful enthusiasms character- Your daily life is your temple and ized all sessions of this gather- your religion. ing of youth and one could not but feel that these youthful Whenever you enter into it take builders of God's Kingdom had with you your all. come a little nearer Christ's dream for the world Space does not permit a full quotation of this beautiful mes-
A Story for the
KEEP OFF THE GRASS Norman and the policeman the boys all laughed and told him turned round to look ata young to forget it. They said that all By VIOLET WOOD man who had come over to them. reporters were crazy. As the long summer days passed, Nor- Norman was burning up. His "And who may you be?" bel- man still dreamed of sailing in a clothes stuck to him. It was the lowed the policeman. boat up and down the Hudson hottest day of 1875. None of River. the gang were around for they "George H. Williams of the had all gone s.wimming in the New York Times." One afternoon he was sitting East River where his mother on the curbstone outside of his wouldn't let him go. "A smart alec reporter, huh?" tenement under the shade of the "Look here, officer, I don't in- elevated trains when he noticed All along the road, carts and tend to get into a brawl. I'd a man evidently looking for horses were tied to hitching just like to ask you a civil ques- someone as he consulted the posts or were moving fretfully tion. How many times a day do house numbers. The boy's heart through the narrow city streets. you kick little boys like this one skipped a beat. It was Mr. Wil- Up on the fire escapes of out of the city parks?" liams. Norman rushed over to crowded tenement blocks babies The policeman pushed back greet the reporter. He was so lay in cradles made out of old his hat, the better to see the re- excited he scarcely heard right. orange boxes. Many of them porter. What he saw evidently He was to have a gang of boys cried incessantly. pleased him for he changed his at Battery Marsh on Sat.urday. surly tone. "More than I care Norman felt like crying, too. to think of, young fellow. I Saturday came too slowly, but He had never disobeyed his know that there's no place for then Norman, his friends and mother, but the impulse to go these kids in New York City to hundreds of newspaper boys with the gang was strong. He play but in the gutters. But from all over New York City had only a vague idea where the what can I do? If I let this kid went sailing on the ferry boat. East River was. Street after stay here, tomorrow there'd be Best of all, was the news that street he crossed in the blazing hundreds tramping around here for the rest of the summer they sun, with the horses and car- and what would become of the could spend the long, hot days riages ambling in every direc- park?" on the boat. tion. After much walking he came to a park. The cool, green Mr. Williams turned to Nor- Mr. Williams had told Norgrass stretched all around. The man who had been crouched man's story in the newspaper, as sight of it thrilled him. Al- down between the. two men, well as that of other little boys though it was carefully foot wondering whether he should whom he had seen compelled to wired and bore signs warning, run or stay. "How would you "Keep off the grass." People "Keep off the grass," Norman like to spend some of your sum- had sent in money to hire a ferry jumped the small fence, picked boat to take the children sailing out a choice spot beneath a mer days on a ferry boat, sailing every morning and bring them shady maple tree and lay down. up and down the H u d son back at night. The idea seemed River?" so wonderful that one of the big The lovely tree swayed, caus- New York churches took it up ing a slight breeze and making Norman looked at the re- and for many years made this the sunlight fall in patterns porter. "You're making fun of one of their home missionary upon him. He lay thinking, "I'm me, mister. I ain't never been tasks. going to bring mama and papa on a boat in my life." and the baby here." Reverently Making Use of This Story he felt the grass. Although "No," said the reporter, "I'm parched and dry, it was delight- not kidding you." He whipped "Keep off the grass" is the fully cool to the hands of this out a notebook. "What's your true story of the beginning of little boy who knew the feel of name? Where do you live?" He The Floating Hospital of St. cement sidewalks better. John's Guild that still carries on wrote down what Norman halt- the work. "Come on, get up out of ingly told him. there!" Many children have no idea as "Who do you think you are, a to what "home missions" are. Norman started up, his heart See how many aspects of work beating wildly as he looked at a millionaire? Getting ferry boats among underprivileged children policeman towering above him. for kids-don't make me laugh!" in metropolitan and rural sec- tions the child knows. Tell of "Get a move on, you !" The policeman swung his stick. your denomination's work in Norman was too frightened to "Just watch the pages of the various fields. move. "Why don't you pick on some- New York Times, brother," anbody your size, brother?" Both swered the reporter. To Nor- man he s.aid, "And you, sonny, I'll be round to see you real soon."
When Norman got home, and told his adventure to the gang, [319 ]
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~~~~=====================================================================~ NORTH AMERICA life; the Church and marriage. five cents each for bricks in the Family participation in commu- edifice. The upper part was paid One Hundred Year Split Ended nity activities. Education for for by royalties on the Moody- world citizenship. Old age and Sankey song books sold in Great The three great divisions of its place in family life. Britain-money which the evan- Methodism are closing the books gelists would not accept for their on more than a century of schism It is a common mistake to as- personal use. The ministry of to form the largest Protestant sume that Christian education is this good-will gift has extended group in the United States. The for children only. The whole over more than seventy years. union will give the Methodist work cannot be done by the When the Chicago Avenue Church nearly 8,000,000 mem- Church School, so that a pro- Church organization moved one bers, 50,0'0'0 churches and $800,- gram must be developed which mile to the north, the Moody 0'0'0,0'0'0 worth of property. The will include men and women, as Bible Institute purchased the old Articles of Religion will be those well as the youth. An adequate building and has since used it historically held in common by program is necessary in order for classes and conferences. the three uniting bodies. Two to make the Church ineffective. differences had led to the split: Another Survey on Beliefs theNegro question divided North -The Church in Action. and South in 1844, and lay rep- The ·Survey Gra.phic for April resentation in church affairs in Bibles from the Dumps published the results of a study 1828. made by Prof. James H. Leuba Not all hotel managers like to of Bryn Mawr, in which he The publishing interests of the have Bibles in their rooms. For sought to find out the proportion unified Methodist Church are to example, when a hotel in western of Americans who believe in God be under a Board of Publication, Canada changed ownership the and a future life. Sixty-four per which replaces the book commit- new proprietor had all the Gid- cent of the prominent bankers tee of the Southern church and eon Bibles thrown out on the believe in God, but only half the board of the Northern. dump. Later, a poor girl went that many writers do. Figures to the dump hoping to find SOme- for a belief in immortality were One weekly paper, with re- thing of value that she could sell. somewhat higher than for a begional editions, to be called The Noticing the books, she picked lief in God. About 25 per cent Methodist, will serve the entire up one and took it home. had not made up their minds Church. Editors will be drawn Through reading it she found about immortality while only 7 from the staffs of papers which Christ, and this led to the forma- per cent were undecided about the new publication displaces. tion of a Sunday school class, the existence of God. Among whose members also went to the men of science the proportions Church Education dump and provided themselves of doubters in immortality was with Bibles, so that not one copy also much greater than that of The 19th Social Work Confer- was left unappropriated. doubters in the existence of God. ence of the Episcopal Church, which meets in Buffalo, June 16 -So S. Times. -The Churchman. and 17, will have a wider appeal than in the past. It is to be a Moody Auditorium Replaced Home Missions' Outreach conference for all who are interested in education, as is evident The historic Moody Bible In- Dr. Antonio Mangano, an from the list of topics to be dis- stitute Church in Chicago was Italian Baptist min i s t e r in cussed: Family life and its ma- closed on May 6 on account of Brooklyn, makes this comment terial foundations; its legal and the widening of the street on on home missions: "Soon after social status; its spiritual pat- which it opens. This landmark, evangelical churches commenced terns. Youth problems; youth scarred by use and age, has been work among Italians in Amerconsultation service; youth's in- replaced by its successor one ica, the effects were seen in Italy. terest in social education and block to the north, called the The first missionary pastors social action. Preparation for "Torrey-Gray Auditorium." Fol- were converts who came from family life; mental hygiene of lowing the great fire of 1871 the Italy, but by their labors Amerinfancy and childhood; adoles- first story of the old structure ica soon began to repay Italy. cence and education for family was erected, thousands of Sun- day school children contributing [320 ] Here and there an Italian con- mountains supplied the idea for posed for the year 1939-40 in the verted in America returned to an experiment, and in 1934 an booklet "A Venture of Faith," Italy and did not hide his light Emergency Relief Administrator recently published by the Naunder a bushel, but faithfully with a vision collected a stack of tional Committee for Religion proclaimed his new-found faith old, nondescript books, maga- and Welfare Recovery. Among zines, and pamphlets, the latter the objectives are: in Jesus as his Saviour. Some- dealing mostly with religious times these humble messengers topics, hired an enthusiastic To educate the American public in were ostracized and persecuted young mountain woman, who the underlying principles of stewarduntil they returned to America. owned a white mule of dubious ship through conventions, regional In other places their townspeople age and a pair of saddlebags. conferences, national magazines, the listened, first with curiosity to With these bags crammed with daily press, motion pictures, radio and the American religion, and later miscellaneous literature, through other educational media. with such interest. that many creek bottoms, cane patches, and were converted. A peasant of over abandoned trails she rode, To broaden the base of giving by Calitri was converted anhe Bap- stopping at every mountain enlisting as nearly as practicable, tist mission in Hartford, Con- home to urge all who could read "every citizen as a steward of life and necticut, and became an earnest to read what she was giving property for the welfare of mankind." Christian. When he returned to them. Often she read aloud to his family in the little hilltown whole families, most of whom To develop more business-like methof southern Italy, he labored were illiterate. ods of systematic giving, proportiontirelessly to bring his townsmen ate to incomes. to Christ, with the result that a The Kentucky mountaineers grasped and clung to this pack To lift the present level of giving church was formed with a mem- horse service, which grew at from 2.033 per cent to the unprecebership of 50 which has since such a rate that today it is en- dented figure of 3 per cent of income, grown to several hundred." tirely out of hand-through lack and as far as practicable toward the of books. One by one, pack- biblical tithe and the 15 per cent -Watchman-Examiner. horse library carriers were which the government exempts from added, until, at the present time, income tax if given privately for pub- First Spanish Baptist Church, women ride horseback and walk lic welfare. New York City an average of 26,182 miles monthly to deliver 39,293 books To educate the public on the im- There were about twenty chil- to 36,293 Kentucky mountain portance of "Mbre and Better Wills," families anxious to learn, and to including annual review of wills with dren present, most of whom had know the doings. of the world due consideration of our personal in- outside. These libraries extend debtedness to religious, educational, never prayed in public before. over certain backwoods regions character-building and welfare insti- of thirty-one counties. tutions. We had a worship service, and The Federal Government pays To seek the religious, social and then I told them why we were the carriers – all from relief moral welfare of the donor as more rolls – a small wage. .once a important than the material value of assembled and asked all who week they hold conferences at the dollar. their centers, clip continued wished to lead in prayer to do so. stories from old magazines and In the Indian Field bind them into a unit; and fas- The children ranged in age from ten Sunday school lesson papers A glance at the year's work in cardboard covers, with a reli- among the Indians indicates 5-14 years. All those present led gious picture on the outside. progress both in extending evangelization and in strengthin prayer, and for so many it The "bookwomen," however, ening the groups of converts in are not without rebuff. One was forty-seven different t rib e s. was the first time in their lives, met on a mountain side by an There has been an increase in irate father who said he "wanted the number of accessions on proand so I was immensely proud no more sech goin's on." Said fession of faith. However, there he: "I cain't get my gal to do have been obstacles to Christianof them. There was no waiting nothin' but read. My cornfield izing efforts, such as violations needs hoein'''; and he declared of the law against the sale and because one little boy led in angrily, "sittin' in a corner with use of liquor; converts who have her nose in a book h'aint gonna earnestly tried to withstand prayer every time no one else get them weeds out!" temptation have been enticed by unscrupulous white men engaged spoke up. He is seven years of -Bible Society Record. in the traffic. Among the Sioux Indians, sales of peyote, unreage, and I was surprised at his Stewardship Promotion Plan stricted by the government, have been promoted. A bill introreligious experience. He came A nation-wide program of duced in Congress to prohibit stewardship education is pro- the traffic of this drug among very near crying many times the Indians was not reported out of the committee because of the while he led in the five prayers influences which were mar- shalled against it. he offered that day, one of them In certain reservations, Inbeing of about twenty minutes' dians have been encouraged to revive their ancient culturesduration. He wanted to pray so-called – which involve pagan for everyone he knew, because it was the Day of Prayer. He prayed for grandmothers and asked a blessing on all the bad people and the gang of boys who beat him up. -Selected.
Pack Horse Library Just what is a pack horse library? An expressed wish for reading material in the Kentucky
practices. The encouraging fact farmers; but Palmer Church says Dr. Johnson, are not antiis that many of the Indians are also serves the coal miners to Semitic. opposed to the return of these the north, the many gold miners primitive rites. It should be high in the mountains and iso- Palestine at the "Golden Gate" recorded that recently the gov- lated communities along the railernment has issued an order road, including the Eklutna Vo- An interesting exhibit at the prohibiting Indian dances for cational School to the south and San Francisco World's Fair is a commercial ends. All the Chris- fishing stations on Cook Inlet. "Holy Land Garden," containing tian, and most of the progressive more than a hundred trees, Indians are in hearty accord "The Vanishing Indian" shrubs and plants mentioned in with this order. the Bible: olives from Mount This common phrase does not Olivet, Lebanon and Galilee; -Presbyterian Board of hold up under scrutiny. When date palms, acacias, plane trees National Missions. the Pima Indians held their an- and pomegranates-the Eastern nual camp meeting in Arizona, symbol of life and fertility. Mexicans in Texas fifteen acres of desert were cov- There will be almonds, fig trees ered with wagons, horses, tents, and "bitter herbs," the latter Evangelization of the Mexi- and hundreds of children, young mentioned to Moses (Exodus cans in Texas is important be- people and white-haired Indians, 12: 8) in connection with the cause there are almost a million assembled for one of the largest Passover. Fragrant, pungent, of them who are ignorant of the evangelistic meetings ever held spicy plants with Biblical back- Gospel. Southern Baptists are by Indians. There was contin- ground will be here – hys,sop, grappling with the problem, and uous activity from sunrise until thy m e, rosemary, lavender, have marked out two lines of ten at night. Choirs from a anise, cummin, rue, cassia, musapproach, the first being evange- dozen villages, in training for tard, leeks, onions, garlic. The lism. To this end, six evangelis- months, took part in services carob, which is identified as "the tic conferences were held in Jan- conducted by Indian ministers. husks that the swine did eat," uary and February in various will also find place in the Garden. parts of the state. The second -Monday Morning. will he emphasis on stewardship Barley, wheat, flax and riceand tithing; teaching the funda- Anti-Semitism in U. S. the papyrus antiquorum, or bulmentals on which any Christian rush, that sheltered Moses in his forward movement must be built. Dr. Alvin Johnson, director of watery cradle, the arundo donax, the New School for Social Re- "the measuring reed" of Holy Efforts will be made also to search, New York City, confirms Writ, camphire, coriander, lilies, have an every-member canvass the estimate that there are 800 myrtle, and finally Christ's in every Mexican church early distinctly anti-Jewish organiza- Thorn (Paliurus aculeatus), and in the year. Goals will be sug- tions in the United States, claim- many another growing thing gested as a minimum for each ing 6,000,000 adherents. Some with definite line of identificachurch. The First Mexican Bap- of these organizations are na- tion back to Biblical times and tist Church of San Antonio has tionwide in their operation, some scenes, will be installed on voted a 33113% increase in their are regional; a few require pay- Treasure Island. budget for the present year, and ment of dues, and sell antiplans to make missions a definite Semitic literature. The most im- Interpretations will be given part of its program. portant are: the Silver Shirts, of the ancient uses of the plants Defenders of the Christian in the Garden. -SouthernBaptist Home Faith, Industrial Defense Asso- Missions. ciation, American Nationalist -Sunday School Times. Confederation, James True As- A Growing Parish sociates, Knights of the White The Gospel at Golden Gate Camellia, and the German- Exposition Not much has been heard re- American Bund. cently of the government's Ma- The Christian Business Men's tanuska Valley proj ect, but Dr. Johnson classifies their Committee of San Francisco has Monday Morning reports that propaganda appeal something planned an aggressive soul-savthe federated church at Palmer like this: for the average tim- ing program for the World's (in this valley) now has its own orous person, identification of Fair. Eight thousand square building, a membership of nearly Jews with "Reds"; for the so- feet of outside space in a choice, 75 and an average Sunday school ciety dame, the fake letter of central location has been purattendance of 112. This church, Franklin; for the anti-New chased, and an auditorium seatunder Rev. Bert Bingle, has Dealer, list of government jobs ing 250 people has been erected. withstood a number of reverses held by Jews; and for the small In addition to services in the in its three years of existence. business man, assertion that cor- auditorium, thousands of Bible porations are controlled by portions and tracts are being dis- Since the construction men Jews; nothing for the parlor tributed. and clerical forces required in anti-Semitic who hates the Jew the beginning have now with- on his own. Women, as a rule, Tom M. Olson, a well-known drawn, the church membership Bible teacher and personal is made up almost entirely of worker with wide exposition ex- perience, has been procured as
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the manager of the project. request of the wife of an un- converts in the ocean at Port-de- "Sermons from Science" will be faithful drifter; another woman Paix. A member of the Mission presented by Irwin A. Moon, who had lost her son asked for a writes that it was necessary to who has had an unusual minis- sermon on death. The church is call three meetings in one week try for Christ during the past always filled to capacity. recently, to examine individually few years. His messages and fifty candidates for baptism. Not equipment will captivate and Mr. Pagan takes great pleas- only the testimony of the conarouse the curiosity of the un- verts was heard, but that of saved. Three messages daily He ure in the church organ, which their neighbors who knew at present the first century Gospel first hand about· their changed to this twentieth century. he practically built himself. life. Twenty-two of these con- would appreciate having victrola verts came from a distant part Tithe Reindeer and Walrus? records of religious music. of the Island. They traveled all night, some on donkeys and some Rev. Fred Klerekoper, a Pres- Unappropriated Ouba on foot. One was a well-known byterian missionary to the Eski- witch doctor, who, soon after his mos at Point Barrow, Alaska, In northeast Cuba is a tract of conversion, presented the Mishas not as yet reached a solution sion with a piece of ground in of this problem, but the church some 13,000 acres, known as his village on which to build a members of that community chapel. His wife and daughter (which includes almost all the Realengo 18, meaning "unap- were baptized with him. natives) have all agreed to tithe for the support of their church. propriated." This area which Women's Service League- There is almost no cash at all in Ohile the community. When an Es- includes both mountains and valkimo wants a sack of flour or a Manana (tomorrow will do) pound of coffee, he takes a fox leys is inhabited by 2,500 fam- may be the motto of some Latin or a polar bear skin from his re- Americans, but this does not go serve and makes for the trading ilies, very industrious folk in for the evangelical women of post. He does not receive cash. Valparaiso, Chile, who have or- When there is a surplus after he spite of their uncertainty of ganized a "League for Service." has completed his purchases, he Not only do they work in groups, is given credit on paper. tenure. In 1934, the Gospel knitting or sewing for the poor; they visit jails, orphanages, So, if an Eskimo has a walrus reached the southern part of asylums, hospitals and homesand ten seals, what will be his Realengo 18 through Senora del in fact few chances are lost to gift? What could the church do be of service somewhere. One with the meat? The community Valle; and another sec t ion member took into her own home reindeer herd contains some the small child of a woman who 12,000 of the animals, and how heard the Good News through must go to the hospital; another could one manage to use 1,200 prevented the marriage of a girl reindeer? some Haitian Christians harvest- of 14 to an old man; others clear up homes too filthy to live in, -Presbyterian News. ing coffee there. One of the first take sick children to the public health clinic, and teach mothers LATIN AMERIOA converts was a peddler of pins, the rudiments of health and sanitation. Radio Sermons in Puerto Rico who goes about and at each Good News from Brazil Radio station WPRA in Maya- house leaves a copy of one of the guez, P. R., has granted its fa- An interesting and heartening cilities for one hour every Sun- Gospels. This man has held piece of news, coming through day to Rev. Antonio Pagan, pas- the evangelical papers of Brazil, tor of one of the Presbyterian preaching services in many of says that in Ceara, the leading churches in the city. Results state in the north of Brazil, have been far-reaching. The the homes of the district. Few reading of the Gospels has been Sunday sermon is heard in Cen- adopted for public schools. tral, South and North America, families of Realengo 18 are with- Christians everywhere, knowing as well as in the Island. Mr. what ignorance of the Bible has Pagan does not claim to be a out at least a portion of the prevailed in Brazil, will share good preacher, "but," says he, the joy felt in evangelical circles "I receive many letters every Bible and many have accepted of that country. The editor of week thanking me for the ser- the Expositor Cristiio, official mon." Many of these sermons Christ. There are now three Methodist organ, writes: "This are prepared especially for those marks a gigantic stride in the who write of their spiritual regular preaching places and needs. A sermon on "Put· Your House in Order" answered the one Sunday school. In March last year, the believers started a fund for a church, school and parsonage. The first offering amounted to more than $60. A friend of the work in Homer, New York, added $60 and a house was, purchased.
The peddler preacher made his rounds on a horse, and when it died the group of Christians raised a fund to buy another.
They have a vision of one day being. able to support their preacher, so that he can devote all his time to the work of the church. They also have another idea; Friday has been selected as "missionary day," when every Christian is expected to call on some one not yet a be- liever. -Missions.
Oonverts in Haiti The Haitian Gospel Mission reports the baptism of forty-six
path of the re-Christianization standing in a new and rapidly Conference of Evangelical developing central business secof Brazil." Students tion of Rio de Janeiro. Cambridge University, more Bible Sunday in Brazil The Church in Colombia than any other in England, has been associated with evangelical Half a century ago Bible Sun- . day, as it is known today, had The establishment of a "self- movements and tradition. It is not been instituted. H. C. supporting, self-governing, self- therefore appropriate that the Tucker, writing in the World propagating" church in Colom- International Conference of Outlook, traces the development bia is a slow process, for poverty Evangelical Students should be of Bible distribution in Brazil and ignorance abound and con- held there (June 2:7 to July 3). during the past fifty years. The verts often face bitter persecu- It was there that Erasmus inpopulation in 1888 was approxi- tion. However, the beginnings troduced the study of the Greek mately 15,000,000, of which 85 oE an indigenous church are evi- Testament to those who became per cent were illiterate. There dent. leaders and'martyrs in the Engwere only a few miles of rail- Some years ago a land owner lish Revr:>lution, Latimer, Ridley road, travel and communication in the interior heard the Gospel and Cranmer. It includes among being by mule, oxcart, canoe and and accepted Christ. Through its alumni Oliver Cromwell and on foot. Brazilians not only had his testimony, and faithful ef- John Milton. no Bibles, but were told that the forts of missionaries, not to say Speakers at this conference Bible was not a book for the hardship and sacrifice, a group will come from several parts of common people. Many priests of beUevers was organized in Europe. The general theme will did not possess copies in Portu- 1935 and a board of five men be "Christ, Our Freedom." It is guese, some not even in Latin. placed in charge. A recent visi- open to undergraduate and post- But on Bible Sunday, 1938, tor to the district was impressed graduate students, and univerthe population of Brazil stood at by what he saw. Alone, or two- sity faculty members. 47,000,000 and illiteracy had by-two, these Christians go out been reduced by one – third. to preach Christ, while those at One Thousandth Anniversary home look after their small Means of communication had farms. The church has twice The Mis s ion Field, the been greatly extended; even air been enlarged, but even so there monthly magazine of the Society lines connect centers in many is not room for all who wish to directions. Educational facili- attend. Another group has been for the Propagation of the Gosties, cultural influences and organized a day's journey away, pel in Foreign Parts issued in measures of health and hygiene and nine have been baptized. April, 1939, its 1,000th number are spreading out into rural Schools have been opened in of this excellent magazine. The areas. During the half century, both places, with native teachers' first number was issued eighty- and young men and women are two years ago and it has since the American Bible Society re- being prepared for the Bible Inports the annual distribution of stitute, and later for service. been making known the needs of Bibles, Testaments and Scrip- people of non-Christian lands for ture portions has increased from EUROPE 7,286 to 221,034 copies, while the Gospel and the progress the British and Foreign Bible Youth Movement in England made especially through the Society report a similar increase. work of the S. P. G. The peri- Probably not less than 8,000,000 Young people and their inter- odical was begun by Earnest ests are coming to the front in copies of the Bible have been Great Britain. This was mani- Hawkins in 1856 but the Society placed in the hands of Brazilians fest in the Youth Assembly in was organized in 1701 and the in the half century. This would London early in the year. The 239th anniversary was celebe about one copy to every six Methodist Youth Service Council brated in Londo'n this year. Its people. is not only taking part in the work is being carried on in public inquiry as to youth condi- Japan, Korea, China, British It is significant that Bible tions, but has had a special in- Malaya, Siam, India, Burma, Sunday, 1938, records a marked Australasia, Africa, Central and change in the Roman Catholic attitude toward the popular use South America, the West Indies, Canada and Europe.
of the Bible, particularly the terest in the First National Par- England Bans Stage Profanity New Testament. At least four liament of Youth, held March attempts with ecclesiastical ap- 24-27, a parliament composed of A play that was shown 168 proval have been made in recent fourteen national youth or- times in New York was not alyears by priests of this church ganizations. lowed to finish the first perform- to translate, popularize and stim- Among the supporters of the ance in Chester, England, on ulate interest in the reading of Youth M 0 v e men t in Great account of its profanity. The the Gospels. and the entire New Britain are the Archbishop of theater manager rang the cur- Testament. An increasing vol- Canterbury, the Archbishop of tain down in the middle of the ume of the Scriptures and Bib- York, the President of the Meth- first act, and the orchestra lical literature is going out from odist Conference and other struck up "God Save the King."
the nine-story Bible H 0 use, leaders. Actors and producers were
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
called before the constable to an- tains that he is bound to preach ers, in very simple words, try swer the charge of allowing such and declare that a man is saved to persuade the reader to buy, profanity on the stage. by the blood of Jesus Christ and and read aNew Testament or not by Aryan blood, that the ex- Bible. Posters were also sold for On the same day on which this clusion of converted Jews from distribution in Tunisia, Belgium, incident occurred a court in the full privileges of Christian Switzerland, Great Britain and Montreal, Canada, sentenced the life is unchristian, that the Canada. author of a play called "The Church of Christ must be ruled Deluge" to two months' im- by God's Word alone, and not by In answer to prayer, permisprisonment and a fine of $250 the government, that the denial sion was given to open a stall at on a charge of blasphemous libel, of justice is the mark of an un- a market for second-hand things, because the play "offended God christian state, that political realistically called "The Flea and religion." One actor was movements cannot be regarded Market." Astonishment was also sentenced to serve time in as Divine revelations nor their plain on the faces of passers-by, jail, while six others received leaders be venerated as mes- one of whom exclaimed: "What! suspended sentences. sengers of God. Such books at the Flea Market!" Two young business men devote -World Outlook. Jews in Warsaw their only leisure half day on Saturday to sell the books. On Scandinavian Teachers For several years the Church one Saturday they sold 44 Tes- Abjure War Mission to the Jews in Warsaw taments in eleven languages. has held evening classes in the More than 130 representatives English language, which brings No More Jewish Converts of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian numbers of the younger element and Finnish teachers' organiza- of Polish Jewry to the Mission The Evangelical Church of tions, assembled for a conference House. Thuringia is one of those most in Finland, have adapted a state- completely under Nazi domment on war which makes scant Attendance during the past inance. This church has recently compromise with the trend to- winter has greatly increased, issued an order by which bapward increased armaments for and if premises and staff could tized Jews can no longer be defense. These teachers say: be enlarged would be still members of the regional church; "In line with the growing war greater. These classes serve as and by which the ministrations psychosis there is observable a means of breaking down the of the church can no longer be also in Scandinavian countries age-long prejudice of Jew s rendered to them. Since this an effort to adapt the schools to against Christianity in general order was issued, the example of the system of military defense. and missionaries in particular. the Church of Thuringia is be- We consider all such actions, The classes are uncompromis- ing followed by the regional whether involving outright mili- ingly evangelistic, yet this fact churches of Saxony, Mecklentary training, or education and does not diminish the attend- burg and Anhalt. In complying preparation for the defense of ance. Once a week the gather- with these new laws, the the population, as tending to be- ing combines evangelistic and churches mentioned have given cloud the spiritual life of the social activities; and while per- up the right to make converts, to child, and to counteract the spirit haps forty will occupy them- Christianity. -Kulturkampf. of confidence in the love of hu- selves with the games and manity that the school endeavors reading matter, a hundred or so Russian Bible Fund to inculcate in the young. We will listen to the Christian adare obliged, therefore, to regis- dress, lasting about an hour. About ten years ago, the Soter our determined opposition to Willingness to listen does not viet Government gave permissuch a violation of the school's imply acceptance of the Gospel, sion to a group of Russian Chrisrights – irrespective of the ex- but does indicate open-minded- tians to publish 50,000 Bibles ceptional difficulties of the times ness. About twenty young Jews and 50,000 New Testaments. An -to carryon its educational ac- are sufficiently interested in the appeal was sent out for funds, a tivity in accordance with its own Bible to meet every week to committee of Christian leaders aims, which are to develop hu- study it, both the Old and New was organized and contributions man beings sensitive to life's Testament. began to come in. Soon 5,000 highest values and prepared to New Testaments were published promote the development of con- The P. T. L. in Paris and distributed; the printing of cord and good-will in the world." 25,000 complete Bibles got under French workers of the Pocket way. Then the Soviet authori- Pastor Niemoller Testament League, not sure how ties discovered what those 5,000 long they may be free to spread Testaments were doing. Imme- Revelation claims to be the the Word of God, have placed diately they stopped the printing first to publish the real reason more than 1,200 posters. on Paris of the 25,000 Bibles and canfor the imprisonment of Pastor walls, near everyone of the 38 celled the permission previously Niemoller, despite the fact that Parisian cemeteries, and in 72' granted. the court declared him innocent. villages and towns. These post- NiemOller still steadfastly main- Although the collection of
funds had to cease, there was, found a job as sweeper and were busy far into. the night exhowever, a balance of $7,000 in cleaner, and after a few months the bank. The Committee then was employed as a nurse in the amining those who sought bapdecided, since there are millions men's ward. -Life of Faith. of Russians outside of Russia tism. -Life of Faith. and they, too, are hungry for D. V. B. S. in Egypt the Gospel, to distribute these African "Keswick" copies along the borders of The W 0 in en's Missionary Russia. With the cooperation of Magazine reports an increase in A convention for A f ric an Christians in seven countries, the number of Daily Vacation Christians has for some years 4,000 Bibles, 45,000 New Testa- Bible Schools in E.gypt. Also, been held in Kenya. It was orments and 7,000 Bible portions 500 more children were reached. ganized by missionaries for the have thus been distributed. Re- Out of the total number of 2,839 spiritual renewal o.f African cently, the $7,000 was reduced to pupils, 760 were Moslems. Mr. teachers and pastors. There has $17.71, and this was handed over Aig3iban, director of this work, been rapid growth in interest to the "Russian Missionary visited all of the 43 such schools until in 1938 some 200 Africans Service" which will add the dis- conducted by students of Assiut and a dozen Europeans gathered tribution of Bibles to its other College, and a number of other from all parts of the Colony, large activities. -So S. Times. schools as well. Some could only some also from Ruanda, Uganda be reached on donkeys. He says: and Tanganyika. As a direct re- AFRICA "It was very wonderful to hear sult o.f that. convention there boys giving Bible stories and have been many cases of a break- Potential Leader in Egypt Golden Texts. Not only this, but ing of the power of sin. to hear Moslem boys and girls Two or three years ago a giving Bible stories." The most During the 1938 Convention young Mohammedan was attend- popular hand work was crayon the question arose as to whether ing an Islamic school in prepara- coloring of Bible verses. Many the time was not now ripe for tion to become a sheikh. Instead, times children hid the bell, so the formation of a Convention, he is today a baptized Christian, that lessons would last longer. not only for pastors and teachand gives promise of becoming a One of the best schools in Upper ers, but also African Christians leader among Egyptian Chris- Egypt was conducted by a Mos- generally. The matter was tians. While this young Mad- lem boy named Yusef Moham- brought before the committee of booli was at the Islamic school, a med Suliman. It is the third Kenya "Keswick," and as a refriend asked him to join in a year that he has had a school. sult a committee was appointed study of the New Testament, This volunteer in Kom Ghareb to arrange, together with Afriwhich he did, and was so inter- worked all summer both morn- can leaders of the Church, for ested he went to a neighboring ing and afternoon. He declared the organization of the African village to ask some missionaries that he himself got most benefit Convention, under the title for other parts of the Bible. Not from the school. "Kenya Keswick." only was his request granted, he was introduced to the local evan- Revival Comes to Mompono -Life of Faith. gelist, with whom he spent many subsequent hours discussing the The "Regions Beyond Mission- Christian Center in Bible and having his difficulties ary Union" was discouraged Tanganyika explained. He also gathered up when one African teacher after a group of young men from his another proved unfaithful to his It is obviously difficult for a own village to join in this stUdy. trust; but continuance in prayer Christian African boy who goes resulted in enlisting forty keen- to work away from home to keep Of course, his interest did not minded boys in a training class, his balance and resist temptaescape the notice of his Moham- to go out later to the surround- tion. Realizing this, some years medan associates, and he had to ing villages. The number grew ago a number of African Chrisput up with the usual annoy- to sixty, and when all these go tians from different parts of ances. His father thought to out there will be a Christian Tanganyika launched a scheme, end the matter by bringing a evangelist for every village of under the leadership of Eurosheikh to "talk Madbooli out of importance in this dis t ric t. peans, to provide a home and this nonsense." But Madbooli About this time, the missionaries Christian fellowship for such was not to be moved, whereup felt an awakening around them. boys. As if in answer to prayer, his father refused to support Open-air workers reported a a well-to-do African business him, so he set out for Cairo to new interest; natives employed man who had been interested in earn his living. He secured a by traders at the State Po.st were the project willed his home, the job as a basket maker, but when asking for their own evangelist, newest and best house in the his employer found he was a and this spirit was not limited to community, to be used for this Christian he promptly dis- the vicinity of Mompono. Five purpose. The house provides accharged him, and refused to pay witch doctors yielded their commodation for a large recreahim what was due. This time hearts to Christ, and misionaries tion room, a reading and waithe went to Shebeen Hospital, ing room, and one for meetings, as well as a small chapel which gives opportunity for quiet and prayer. In connection with the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
club is a hostel where rooms are tory church collections and, after pay- til they found a friendly chief at ing the allowances of over a hundred let to African Christians. village pastors and teachers, main- Bonginda. Here they settled, -Life of Faith. tained wholly by the indigenous 1,200 miles from the coast, and church, the church sent a gift of five established the Congo Balolo A Great Conference thousand francs toward the deficit of Mission. Eventually, the Re- gions Beyond Missionary Union The largest missionary confer- the Baptist Missionary Society and grew out of this work, and ence South Africa has ever two thousand francs to its largest today it controls work in two substation for church building.
known brought together this The Bible for Cape Verdians fields; in the Congo and in the year at Bloemfontein over 1,000 Bihar province of North India, ministers and laymen of Dutch On the Cape Verde Islands, off where there are seven stations. Reformed churches. The 150 the west coast of Africa, at least In the Congo, there are 20,000 mission congregations were each eighty out of every hundred per- church members, and at least represented by a European mis- sons can read and write; and 20,000 more have been won and sionary, and 400 European con- faith runs high among the mis- are now in "the Church Triumgregations were also repre- sionaries there that Scripture phant." -The Christian. sented. Since 1877 the church's distribution will have far-reachmissionaries h a v e increased from twenty-two to over three ing results. Their plan, they tell Fetish Bonfires Multiply hundred. During the South us, is to place a portion of the African war, 85 young men from Bible in every home. These peo- Public burnings of fetishes the military camps decided to ple are poor, but they have a real are becoming more common in hunger for the Gospel, and will the Belgian Congo; accomgive their lives to mission work. make almost any sacrifice to se- panied by public profession of It was 47 years ago that Rev. A. cure a copy. Proof of this faith in Christ. At Rethi more Louw trekked by ox-wagon to hunger is seen in the following than fifty families have given up Mashonaland, and in that center literal translation of a letter re- their spirit paraphernalia. A today his church numbers 5,000 ceived from one of the islanders: blind evangelist, Paulo, preaches members, with 22,00.0 young with power and he can quote people under instruction. The "I come very respectfully to many passages from the Bible Dutch Reformed Church has ask you this special favor about from memory. To the African, missions in all parts of the your religion. For a long time I the amazing thing is that one so Union of South Africa, in Rho- have lived without belief or fear despised as a blind man should desia, in Nyasaland, and in the of God. Since the first time I go a-bout helping others.-Life heard your words concerning the of Faith. Sudan. It is expected that, as a Gospel I have felt a strange fear result of this conference, every of God and a grand pleasure has WESTERN ASIA congregation will be directed to been in me as I come to this true carryon missionary work in its pathway which I do not know Ten Years to Graduate own area. -So S. Times. profoundly. Therefore I come Draw your own inference by this letter to ask you to loan from the fact that when nurses' Congoland After Fifty Years to me a copy of that book which training was undertaken at Ken- Dr. Holman Bentley, English I have heard you speak about, nedy Memorial Hospital in Trip- Baptist, was the pioneer of Prot- the book which is to guide me oli, Syria, ten years ago, the only estant missions in the Congo. A into 0 Caminho da Salvacao, promising students were girls native boy, Niemvo, helped him (The Way of Salvation}." who had been cared for in Near reduce the Congo language to -The Word of Life. East Relief Orphanages, and had writing, to make a grammar and had a measure of training in dictionary and translate the Regions Beyond Missionary orderliness and regard for the Scriptures. Fifty years ago in Union welfare of others – qualities February, Niemvo was baptized the first native Christian in It is 60 years since the first lacking in most of the others. It Congo; today, there are 250,000 missionary went from the East has taken ten years for the first Protestant church members and London Training Institute to group of girls to carry their a constituency of a million. Central Africa, in territory now training through to successful known as the Belgian Congo. completion. There were four The International Review of girls in this first class to be Missions makes this comment: The Mission at that time was graduated. called the Livingstone Inland Righteousness is beginning to flow Mission. In 1884, it was decided -Monday Morning.
as a mighty stream through the life to hand over the direction of this Long Range Christian Service of the community. Formerly no one Mission, with its seven welldared begin to protest against abuses equipped stations to the Ameri- The American Mission in but, with the revival, fear of man was can Baptists. They, however, Syria has set a goal for a new subdued. A new breath has blown through village life, clearing away the were not able to penetrate as type of missionary work; e.g., old, polluted air. Never has the liberality of our people been so mani- far inland as had been hoped, to reconstruct village life on the fested. Large sums of money have and an expeditionary force principles of the Kingdom of been raised over and above the statu- God as taught in the New Tes- pushed up the Congo River, un-
tament. Briefly, the following a filthy priest leading a tiny bull and so eager to assist their factors enter into the problem: with a crooked mouth and neighbor in her suffering that To follow the example of Christ women stroking its ears in wor- they responded heartily to the with a correlated program to re- ship; women picking up dust Bishop's suggestion that two deem both individual and group tha.t feet of naked priests had representatives of the Methodist life; by living the Gospel before trodden, and putting it on their Episcopal Church in India and preaching it, and by cooperative faces-some of it tied up to take Burma be sent with him to self-help as proclaimed by Jesus. home. However, many were en- China on a mission of fellowship No program is to be "put over," lightened enough to refrain from and help. As soon as arrangebut built around the needs recog- these things. Some were seen to ments could be made, the two nized by the villagers themselves. dip their hands in the river, let men appointed left by motor bus Full cooperation is sought with the water trickle through their over the newly opened road from every department of the Amer- fingers, while their faces were Burma into Yunnan and further ican Mission, with other mis- upturned toward the sky. Be- north in West China. At Runsions and with all national and hind all this, unquestionably, is ning they boarded a plane for government agencies. the search for God. Chengtu. These representatives from India have addressed many It is recognized that changing Caste and Christianity audiences, chiefly students, seekthe lives, thinking, attitudes and ing to aid by evangelistic mescustoms of a conservative vil- H. C. Mookerjie, Ph.D., writ- sages and Christian sympathy. lage community is a long and ing in The Indian Witness, has difficult task, that immediate re- this to say about the bearing of -The Indian Witness. sults must not be expooted. Christianity upon the caste system: A Burmese Woman Leader -Agricultural Mission Notes. Weare all aware that the Indian Dr. Daw Saw Sa, F.R.C.S., Christian community contains within D.P.H., of Rangoon, who ha.s the INDIA AND SIAM itself men and women coming from distinction of being the first nearly all the Indian races, tribes, Burmese woman physician, is The Great Mela castes and strata of society. Blue the first and only woman sena- blooded Brahmins and Syads, high tor under the new constitution, Once in twelve years the castes and scheduled castes, land- which on April 1, 1937, made greatest of all religious festivals owners and tenants, capitalists and Burma a Crown Colony in the is held at Hardwar, in April, laborers, farmers and landless culti- British Commonwealt<h of nawhere the sacred river Ganges vators, rich and poor jostle one an- tions. In 1932 the Rangoon emerges from the mountains. other within the Christian fold. Government conferred unique At that time the population honors upon her by making her swells from a few thousand to All over India, Christianity has sup- a member of the Rangoon Corabout a million, most of whom plied leadership in the revolt against poration, the first time in the are illiterate. For this reason, the rigors of the caste system, and political history of Burma that an announcer told people who specially against untouchability which a Burmese woman was admitted wanted tickets to this or that is a manifestation of the caste feeling as a member of either Corporaplace to go to a spot where they in its most objectionable form. The tion or the Legislative Council. saw a picture of an elephant, a acceptance of our faith has enabled Dr. Daw Saw Sa has long been snake, scissors, a wheel and so thousands of untouchables to shake off interested in politics, particuon. for all time to come the disgrace larly the section relating to wrongly attached to their birth, and physical, moral and mental de- Priests prepare for the wor- to rise in the social scale. The differ- velopment of women and chilship of the river by lighting ence between their position before and dren; and is a member of variwicks in little cups of oil. Wor- after conversion must have made ous societies and institutions, beshippers pass their han d s these men realize very keenly the dis- sides having her own nursing through the flame, then draw abilities under which they had been home and clinic modeled on the their hands across their faces, laboring in their pre-conversion days. most scientific ones in America. perhaps touching lips, eyes and The improvement in their social ears in order to be cleansed from status, always reflected in their be- -Missions. evil they have spoken, seen or havior, has tended to encourage furheard. It is at such times that ther conversions among non-Christian Building the Church in Siam evangelists. are busy with tracts members of the group to which they and Gospel portions, and it is had belonged. In the past, Hindu so- The Church of Christ in Siam not difficult to dispose of them. ciety had refused them all chances of is urging a Five-Year Plan of education, and all prospect of social Evangelism, and is asking each A writer in the Woman's Mis- advancement. Christian missionaries congregation to form a prayer siona1"Y Friend describes some offered both, group for special intercess,ion. of the sights that make one sad A committee was appointed at -make one long to have them India's Mission to China the last meeting of the General know Him who said: "Come Council to consider the possibilunto me." One was a man who At a meeting of the Central ity of a Bible Correspondence had held his arm upraised so Methodist Conference in J anlong he could not take it down; uary, Bishop Ralph A. Ward, of Chengtu, West China, was pres- ent and addressed the audience on conditions in China. Mem- bers of the Conference were so deeply stirred by the situation,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Course being worked out that the Japanese sentries, helping finished just in time to aecommodate could be used throughout the the government care for its all these poor bombed and bayoneted wounded, and conveying money victims; that our staff was spunky whole Church, especially which to stranded communities where they serve. enough to stay; and just now-that furlough is coming in five months.
A Bureau of Evangelistic and the local mission staff is cut off Church Work has been formed from outside contacts. It's a World Movement to encourage all Christians to -The Church in Action. take responsibility for this plan. Japan's military campaign in It is hoped that eight Siamese Statement from Chiang China is destroying Ghina's inwill enter the Union Theological Kai-shek stitutions of higher education, School in Manila; ,two men have because they do not produce already taken this course. The following formal state- citizens that are friendly to ment was issued by Chiang Kai- Japan's imperial ambitions. In Another need is for an or- shek a few weeks ago, and is of the midst of Japan's bombing of dained man and his wife for special s,ignificance: Hunan University that institurural work, since the majority tion organized a Student Chrisof the Siamese are rural folk. At this hour of our national crisis, tian Association, and one of There is also need for'more work we, the Chinese people, are profoundly their first acts was to write the among the Chinese in Siam, be- moved by the earnest increase in the Christian students of Japan saycause of their numbers, and the many concrete expressions of sym- ing that they of Hunan Univerinfluential place they hold in the pathy which have been continuously sity were deeply aware of their business life of the country. coming to us for over 19 months from membership, through theWorld's our friends in other parts of the world. Student Christian Federation, in a world-wide fellowship of Chris- Chinese Evangelists in Siam Christians have left no stone un- tian students, and especially con- scious of their common partici- Some of the evangelists who turned to show their growing interest pation in that fellowship with have been driven out of China in the material as well as the spirhave gone to Siam, and are put- itual welfare of our suffering people. Missionaries, in particular, have never ting new life into Christians hesitated to make even the greatest there. They have conducted meetings through interpreters, personal sacrifices to heal the wounded Christian students of Japan. which have led to the formation and succor the distressed. They called Christian students of Japan, China and other counof bands for Bible study and I welcome this opportunity, there- tries to go in united prayer to a prayer. Dr. Song, an evangelist. fore, to reiterate the previously ex- pressed appreciation of myself and my educated in the United States, has succeeded in arousing many countrymen for the unqualified en- common Father with the plea of the Siamese to a realization of dorsement of the righteousness of our that His and not their will be their need and responsibility. resistance that has come to us so done-that peace based on jus- spontaneously, and in such unstinted tice come to their nations. In spite of the fact that the measure from the Christian world. Siamese have their own national -Intercollegian and Far church, there has been a tend- I believe that those of our people Horizons. who will survive the terrible holo- causts which have involved us all in Universities on the March so much loss of life. and human suf- fering will emerge victorious in spirit, ana more confirmed than ever in the ency to lean too much on the faith that right will always triumph Chinese educators have coined over might, whether in personal, na- the phrase "Universities on the missionary for the initiative. tional or international relations. March," to describe the condi- CHINA "Count Your Blessings" tion of China's higher institu- Redeeming the Time tions of learning after fighting Mrs. T. D. Stevenson, daugh- changed the educational map of Evangelism, tea chi n g and ter of Charles Ernest Scott, and China. Fifty-four of China's healing – the ministry of the Presbyterian missionary in Can- 114 colleges and universities ton, rut Hackett Medical Center, have been destroyed by bombs Christian Church-never more is able to find cause for thank- or incendiarism; and 82 have needed in China, was never more fulness. Writing home in Feb- been compelled to move just one active than now, in spite of ruary, she says: jump ahead of oncoming Japaterror, bloodshed, destitution nese invaders. To move some of and destruction. Whole popula- There are really so many things to these involved treks of from 500 be thankful for that I do not know to 1,000 miles, most of the jourtions often flee from cities and where to begin. The biggest item, of ney in small boats and on foot. with them the Church, to find course, is that we're reunited as a As much as possible of equipthemselves in some remote area family, and that we're all safe and ment was carried along. where, perhaps, their presence well; that we have so many children brings the first Christian mes- on the compound this year so that our An educational map of China sage. "New circumstances teach small son isn't lonely; that we hap- today would show a number of us new duties," say the mission- pened to have our car (which has been new universities and colleges in aries, who find themselves guard- Hackett's only link with the rest of the city, and has been invaluable for ing the gates of mission com- bringing patients who could not get Kwangsi, Kweichow, Yunnan, pounds, taking in foundling here otherwise, taking the servants to Szechuan and Shensi-provinces babies, preventing cholera, es- market, fetching coal or wood, fetchcorting coolies to market past ing our milk or letters or almost any- which before the war had no thing); that our new hospital was governmental supported univer-
sities – all established by stu- regions. However, there has to drop bombs near Christian dents and faculties. been a measure of success, even churches?" though workers are somewhat -Dayton News. apathetic toward these sparsely Japanese officer: "Certainly. populated areas. Finally, there Glad to cooperate. Let me see In the New Capital are the tent missions, chiefly in your mission maps and I will market towns. have our maps marked accord- To most people, Chungking, ingly. (Moment of silence while if it means anything, means a The South Shensi Mission officer studies map.) Why, you small town in a backward part seeks to create in the Chinese a have churches everywhere. We of China. As a matter of fact, sense of responsibility toward all could not bomb anything withit is a city whose population be- unevangelized districts. To this out hitting one. How many have fore the war was 400,000; since end, a prayer cycle suggests you, anyway?" the transfer of the capital, the items for special intercession. population has j u m p e d to Priest: "Thirteen hundred, 800,000, and is steadily mount- -China's Millions. and Protestants have 300 in the ing. It is far up the Yangtse same area." River, beyond the reach of Jap- How Shall We Pray? anese armies and battleships.; Officer: "I wish I knew what however, it expects bombing Dr. and Mrs. John R. Mott it is that keeps you Christians planes any day. It is a commen- formulated a statement for the working in such places as this." tary on modern civilization that guidance of their own prayer practically every house has its life, early in the conflict between The power of the Gospel is dug out, as much a necessity as China and Japan. Here it is: well illustrated by the following a kitchen. Three anti-aircraft story from Nanking. Bibles and guns are placed within a hun- 1. We should pray for both China Testaments were being distribdred yards of the home of the and Japan-for their rulers, their peo- uted among Japanese soldiers Methodist High School principal, ples, and, very especially, for all their who had a habit of looking in on a school with an enrolment of Christians; for the ending of the war, church services. For the most about 1,'000 boys. Sometimes and for a just and enduring peace. part, these soldiers accepted the the buildings are used by the Not to pray indicates that we believe copies readily. Later, a Japanese Government for official confer- that human wisdom, devisings, com- officer came to a member of the ences, and at such times the binations and power alone will suffice Church Council and urged that school is more like a military to effect these things; whereas, to no Bibles be given to his soldiers. camp, every entrance guarded pray indicates that we believe that No regard was paid to the reby riflemen with fingers on gun superhuman wisdom, love and power quest, and the officer came again triggers. are absolutely essential to the achieve- and again, ordering finally that ment of this wonder work. We should distribution of Bibles must be In South Shensi become alarmed if we find that in our stopped at once for said he, "the secret prayer life this tragic need New Testament talks of peace, The task of evangelizing does not have a large place; because and the chief business of our South Shensi is divided among we are what we are in the dark where soldiers is war." The Bibles had the Norwegian Alliance Mission, God only sees us, and by which He been passed around in the barthe Lutheran Free Church of judges us. racks, read by many, with the Norway and the China Inland result that they did not wish to Mission, the latter having fifteen 2. We should do all in our power to fight. counties under its supervision. relieve human suffering. The volume Five methods of reaching the of unrelieved suffering in areas af- Shanghai's 5,000 Jews people are employed, and of fected by this war in the Far East is these s t r e e t preaching has even greater than at anyone time in If Shanghai is the world's proved the most fruitful. Prob- the World War. Notwithstanding this most cosmopolitan city, this can ably fifty per cent of the con- alarming fact, it is tragic that, as indeed be said of its Jewish verts have been won by this yet, the efforts put forth by the Chris- community of 5,000. Here Jews means. tians and others in America to meet from every country of the world, this overwhelming and indescribable speaking a score of languages, Village evangelism is another need are relatively negligible. Our live, do business, and thrive in method. It is found that one sympathy and sacrificial action in general, despite the frightfulfaithful Christian family can be such a situation are a true test of ness of the Sino-Japanese war. most effective in winning others. our Christ-likeness. Perhaps nowhere else have they City witnescSing includes prison contributed so much to the visitation, distribution of tracts 3. We should, with true penitence, growth of a great city, and perand open air preaching. Evan- acknowledge the sins of our own coun- haps nowhere else is this service gelistic bands have been organ- try against both China and Japan, so little recognized, the reason ized to visit unoccupied towns. and bring forth fruits meet for re- being that emphasis there has This presents difficulties, inas- pentance. This will be difficult. It been laid on nationality, not race much as roads and communica- will involve real self-denying effort or religion; that is, the British tion facilities are poor in the and, it may be, very prolonged effort. Jew is considered a Briton, the mountainous, brigand – infested Russian Jew a Russian, and so 4. Let our Government know unmis- on. takably that the Christian forces will be solidly behind them as they put forth their full influence to secure a just settlement.
Conversation from the Front French priest to Japanese aviation officer: "When you en- ter new territory, would you be willing to instruct your men not
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
An interesting aspect of J ew- their future program; and that in Mongolia. One young man ish life in Shanghai is the new- furthermore, if they want the said to a missionary, "I can tell ness of the Jewish community support of the better class of a Christian now when I meet in contrast with the antiquity of Chinese the first step toward him on the street. I asked one China. Only for little more than securing it would be the instant man whom I met yesterday if a century have the Western na- stopping of this flood of nar- he wasn't a Christian; he smiled tions carried on organized trade cotics. and said, 'Yes, but how did you with China, and for decades the know?' I told him that I could trade was restricted to Canton. Importance of Hongkong see the evidence in his face." The opening of the treaty ports, of which Shanghai was one, the The British colony in Hong- The writer is at work in building up of foreign communi- kong holds a strategic position Hailar, a city 550 miles from ties, and the arrival of Jewish not only politically, but spir- Harbin, where few have learned traders with their non-Jewish itually. The city is at the thresh- of salvation through Christ. colleagues, have occurred during old of the greatest mission field Next door to the little chapel is the lifetime of many now living. on earth; a land of 450,000,000 a tin shop where a young Chris- Shanghai's senior Jewish resi- people of whom very few have tian makes kettles and stove dent has lived in the city sixty- understood, or even heard the pipes. The partition is of paper, nine years; her sister, born Gospel; among the Europeans, and the young tinner became a sixty-six years ago, was the first only a few acknowledge Christ Christian by what he heard Jewish native of the port. as Master. In view of this spir- through the partition. He ham- itual need, the coming of the mers away loudly most of the -International Committee evangelist, Mr. Edwin Orr, last day and night, but never while on Christian Approach October was prayerfully antici- services are in progress. He has to the Jews. pated. learned several Gospel hymns, and sings these lustily as he The Opium Campaign Two of the largest churches in works. Hongkong were. secured for the Much has been written about English services, and there were Hailar is notorious for gam- Japan's campaign to subdue the 250 to 300 people present at bling, opium dens, and other Chinese through opium, and the every meeting – which is to be wickedness, having, most likely, truth of the matter has been both regarded as wonderful, as co- the lowest percentage of Chrisaffirmed and denied. Dr. M. S. lonials are notoriously "tough." tians of any other provincial city Bates, an American missionary Mr. Orr began with the Chris- in Manchukuo. But many of the educator, has written "An Open tians, devoting the first four people are responsive to the Letter on the Narcotic Problem" nights to the need, the method Gospel. which has appeared in two lead- and the conditions for revival. ing Chinese papers. Dr. Bates The succeeding nights were Work in Tribal District says: "Fifty thousand people- given to the proclaiming of the one eighth of the population of Good News of God's grace to The China Inland Mission Nanking-are being slowly poi- sinners. In the first part of each finds a broad field for its minissoned today by heroin, supplied address Mr. Orr told of his ex- try in Yunnan. The capital of by Japanese – controlled d rug periences in different lands in the province, Kumming, is at an rings. Every month a minimum proving the faithfulness of God, altitude of 6,000 feet. Wuting, of $5,000,000 are being squeezed and how He answers prayer. fifty miles northwest, is in a from the impoverished Chinese The evangelistic appeals re- small plain. These two towns in the region by dope traffickers, sulted in conversions – some of are inhabited mostly by Chinese, belonging to or allied with, the them in the King's uniform. but in the surrounding hills are Japanese Army." Four groups thousands of Miao, Nosu, Lisu, are named as closely connected During the past two years, and other tribes. Several miswith this traffic: Hongkong has become a place of sionaries devote their whole time refuge for thousands of people, to these tribes with encouraging 1. The Special Service Section among them many Christians. results.. A little village 7,000 of the Japanese Army. feet high is the center of work -:-Life of Faith. among the Miao, and the average 2. The puppet administration attendance at Sunday service is of Nanking., Working on the Frontier from two to three hundred. Next to the chapel is a little room 3. "Independent" Japanese A missionary remarked that about eight by ten feet, which and Korean drug run- he never saw a smile or heard has been opened as a reading ners. joyful song in his field in India room and "place for discussing until people began to find Christ; the doctrine." Bibles and Tes- 4. Japanese business firms. now many both smile and sing. taments are on display and many At first, the minor key in every copies have been sold. Dr. Bates points out that a phase of life was almost more shorter-sighted greed cannot be than he could stand. In the A new avenue of service has imagined than that of destroy- Evangelical Christian is the tes- been opened among school boys ing a people on whom they must timony that the condition is true in the city of Wuting. In redepend for building up the kind of nation they expect to use in
sponse to a request, the mission 8.4 per cent. Eight years ago, volumes, besides tracts in great offers instruction in English on licensed prostitutes numbered number, of which more than condition that the Scriptures be 52,000; today, there are 45,000. 4,000,000 copies have been sold. used as a textbook. The class His most famous work is "The has an average attendance of Again, there is respect for Common People's Gospel," a twenty, and meets twice a week. labor. Manual labor was once simple but comprehensive man- for the outcast, but the position ual of the Christian faith. More -China's Millions. of laborers has been elevated. than 400,000 copies have been Another advance is a spirit of issued, and the annual sale stilI JAPAN-CHOSEN peace. The Japanese havanever averages 10,000. A Braille edi- been averse to war, but the pres- tion and a Korean translation "Business As Usual" ent war, they say, is a war for have also appeared. peace! It is at least a step in T. T. Brumbaugh has recently advance that they must find an Hundreds of Japanese owe returned to Japan after an ab- excuse for war. Finally, there is their conversion to the reading sence of nearly two years, and the spirit of service, introduced of this book-students, business reports in the Christian Century, by Protestant missionaries. Even men, and men of all classes. that an observer would see noth- the "Tendai Shu," a Buddhist Gamblers, drunkards, liquoring out of the ordinary. Jap- sect, has ordered every temple to dealers, criminals of all sorts anese passengers, bound for carryon art least one piece of so- owe to it their new life in Christ. home, had little to say about the cial service. A restaurant keeper of loose conflict in China. In religious morals studies it for a week and circles little difference was Control of Religious Bodies then in prayer receives forgivenoted. Ostensibly, Christians ness of sins. Such was the are loyal to their government, A bill to control religious or- change in his life that when he regardless of its leadership; ganizations is awaiting final ac- was later elected mayor of his prayers are offered for the tion, and seems likely to be town, no one called him by his preservation of the empire and passed. The bill provides that own name, but "Christ's mayor." the success of the army. They no religious body can be estab- To many of the dying this book urge that evangelization follow lished without the approva1 of has brought hope in last hours. the wake of the imperial army, the Minister of Education. In apparently not considering applying for approval, the doc- -Sunday School Times. whether conquest and mission- trine of the group must be subary endeavor are compatible. mitted, as well as a statement Missionary's Life Has Variety But with all this, the Christian covering its entire set-up, range groups are oases of brotherly of activities, etc. Any later al- Miss Virginia Mackenzie, of love. teration must have the govern- the Presbyterian Mission in ment's approval. Churches and Japan, has a new undertaking- There has been a falling off in pastors who violate the law are all in the day's work-teaching baptisms and even in Sunday subject to fine or imprisonment. English manners to a group of school enrolments during the eleven policemen, plain clothes past few years, but attendance The present bill does not pro- men in charge of investigating at divine services seem'l not to pose to deal with religion, per se, the foreigners that pass through have been affected except, pos- but with religious organizations. the city. They are a kindly sibly, for the better. Christian- in this it differs from previous group, anxious to do things i,ty is fundamentally contrary to efforts to regulate religion which pleasantly and correctly. On an the spirit of the age in this and were open to the charge of vio- average day they examine 160 other lands. Yet, deep down, lating the constitutional pro- non-Japanese travelers, most of most Japanese rejoice that "the vision, guaranteeing religious them either English – speaking, love of God is broader than the freedom. or able to use English. It is measure of man's mind." readily seen how mistakes, or Inasmuch as Christianity lack of politeness, even though Christian Achievements hitherto has had no legal status, unintentional, "can make for all all Christian communions and sorts of misunderstandings; and In his Fellowship Bulletin, local churches must take steps how important to have mis- Toyohiko Kagawa says that, to conform with the provisions understandings as few as poswhereas he was discouraged two of this law within two years sible, so that this effort becomes years ago, he now sees a brighter after its passage. Japanese a v e n t u rein international side and points to the following Christians feel that, on the friendship. achievements Cif the Christian whole, the bill is an advance for movement in Japan. He gives Christianity. Japanese-Korean Church first place to personal piety. Re- Union Discussed ligion was not taken seriously -The Living Church. until the missionaries came. The One of the mottoes of the day second is purity in home and so- Salvation Army Literature is "Japan-Chosen: one body," ciety, taught by the Christians. and its use is having the effect Forty years. ago the divorce rate Commissioner Yamamuro, Sal- of creating a willingness of the was 32 per cent i iu"1936, it was vation Army publicist and au- two Christian groups to unite. thor, has published over sixtY"
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The Japanese and Korean Y. M. thought to this question. "All ture book. In the manger a black C. A.'s have already united. At that Buddha offered," said he, Papuan baby gurgled.
least the Korean churches in "I found in greater measure in -So S. Times.
Japan proper are likely to unite Christ." Admitting that some with the Japanese Church; in of Korea's best national traits Natives As Museum Exhibits the Methodist Church commit- were the outgrowth of Budtees have been appointed to draw dhism, he summed up his double The Netherlands Committee up plans and union evangelistic experience in two religions with for International Nature Protecservices are being held. The gap a series of contrasts: tion at its annual meeting in of racial feeling will be hard to Amsterdam, Holland, considered bridge, and it is yet to be seen "Buddha is a lover of solitude; the problem of protecting the how much actual union will re- Christ seeks us in life's thorough- primitive people in New Guinea. suIt from the tendency to coop- fares." The recent opening up of Dutch erate; yet the tide seems to be toward a coalition. "Buddha sits imperturbably as New Guinea has proceeded so races go by; Christ agonized on the rapidly that it was felt that Koreans in Tokyo Cross that new life might be open to ne~essary measures must be men." taken without delay for the pro- "Buddha offers release from life and tection of the inhabitants. With its ills; Christ offers more abundant life, in spite of its ills."
The past year has seen the "Buddha calls to meditation; Christ no advance preparation, ideas calls to the service of God and fellow most modern are suddenly thrust withdrawal of Chosen from all men." upon people most primitive. international organizations.
Every effort is being made to ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Two opposing opinions were preserve the evangelical Chris- disclosed at this meeting of the tian character of the Y. M. and Igorots Ordained Committee: one in favor of pre- Y. W. C. A., W. C. T. U., and The Igorot tribe in the Philip- serving a group of primitive peoother groups under Japanese di- pine mountains is barely two ple in their "stone age" culture, rection. generations removed from head- . shutting them off in a large re- hunting, and to large extent the serve from all foreign influences, Some 500 buildings prepared most primitive superstitions still including missions. In the interfor the Olympic Games that dominate their lives. It is neceswere to have been held in Tokyo sary to remember this in order est of science, a strictly limited have been bought by Koreans, to properly evaluate a recent contact would be allowed. On and ttre now filled mostly by low- event. After several years of the other hand, a group held that wage factory workers. A young training and experience in evan- the authorities had no right to Christian graduate was so ap- gelism, three young Igorots have deny to any people the right of palled by the neglected children been ordained to the ministry in making progress, and to conthat he started on Sundays to the cathedral at Manila. Hopes demn them to remain savages tell them stories of Jesus. At for a native-born ministry for and "museum-objects" for ever. first the parents objected, but these people have long been cher- The danger, it was argued, is soon appreciated the lessons in ished, but the mission staff has cleanliness and truth, so that been inadequate in numbers to not so much in civilization itself some 120 gathered in a vacant train the younger generation. as in abruptness of contact with lot each Sunday until snow and it. As for missions, it was cold made it impossible. Then agreed that their tribal religion six student helpers were en- should not be taken away from listed; paper, pencils and lesson helps were secured and classes Papuan Christmas these people without offering were started in both Korean and them a better one in its place.
An unusual celebration of -Aboriginees' Friend.
Christmas took place in Papua, Japanese. when five hundred Papuan men MISCELLANEOUS –Mrs. H. H. Underwood. and women gathered on the very American Tract Society hill where James Chalmers was Buddha or Christ? martyred half a century ago to Since 1825, the American sing Christmas carols and put Tract Society has been issuing Mr. Kim is a Korean who had on a pageant. The first time tracts, pamphlets, periodicals spent long years in patient pur- they came to a Christmas cele- and hymn books in many lan- suit of the Buddhist goal; then bration at this hill they were guages, and has been sending at last he found Jesus Christ, armed to the teeth; but now colporteurs to distribute them and put the same devotion into some of the world's most back- wmong neglected peoples of all his new faith as he had applied ward people, who could neither lands since 1840. Neglected to the old. A writer in Korean read nor write, were able to re- areas of our own country are de- Echoes tells of a conversation cite long passages of Scripture pendent upon this Society for lit- with Mr. Kim, when he asked and sing Christmas hymns. erature and colporteur service.
him what, in his experience, was Children on hands and knees Its Spanish periodical has a the difference between Buddhism represented a flock of sheep and weekly circulation of 19,000; its and Christianity. His answer a shepherd whose only idea of Polish periodical reaches 4,000 .~howed that he had given much his occupation came from a pic- hOmes.
~- '~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The History of Christianity in Amer- own denomination as he sees it and church people or for any ica. ' By Frank Grenville Beardsley, who are honest and desire the Ph.D. 8vo. American Tract So- cast against the background of best for America – the best is ciety, New York. 1939. Christ and all for which He all the other denominations, as stands. The stories of many who Here is a great book. To call have been led into larger life and it history is hardly to do it jus- they have struggled together or service add to the interest and effectiveness of the volume. The tice. It is that, but it is no mere with each other to establish reli- book is a challenge to the dry factual statement of events Church. It is also a kaleidowith dates and places and gious opportunity in the life of scopic view of home missions, showing its beauties, but it deals names; rather it is an interest- America. MARK A. DAWBER. with so many phases, personaliing narrative, told in lucid and ties and elements that the piccharming style, of the develop- Homeland Harvest. By Arthur H. tures of various types of work Limouze. 211 pp. Index and bib- are not clear. The bibliography ment of religion and the Chris- liography. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents contains some books of doubtful tian church in America. paper. Friendship Press. New value from a Christian viewpoint York. 1939. and omits some of real value- Beginning with the Puritans particularly biographies and and the Pilgrims, the author Some pioneers went West for stories of pioneering. weaves his way through the the purpose of establishing thrilling experiences. that were homes for themselves; others Evangelism for the World Today. were drawn by a lust for gold; As Interpreted by Christian Leadso characteristic of men and re- others went in the spirit of ad- ers Throughout the World. Edited ligious movements in the settle- venture or to establish the by John R. Mott. 8vo. 295 pp. ment of the new world. The United States control over new Harper & Brothers, New York. founding of New England, the territory. But the greatest con- 1939. chartering of the colonies and tribution to the progress of the instigation of citizenship Christian civilization in Amer- The primary aim and the cenwere all an integral part of the ica was doubtless made by the tral task of the Christian Church religious enterprise. No one can missionaries who went with the is to "preach the Gospel to every distinct purpose to make friends creature" and to persuade all understand America, democracy, with the Indians and settlers and men to receive and obey Jesus or the American way of life who to win them to Christ and His Christ as their Saviour and is not familiar with the story of Way of Life. Without their Lord. the struggle to establish Chris- prayers, their faith, courage, tianity and freedom of religion vision and labors of love new Partly in preparation for the territory might have been con- recent Ecumenical Missionary on this continent. quered economically but the peo- Conference at Madras, Dr. John The rise and growth of the ple would have been generally R. Mott invited some 1~5 reli- lawless and godless. gious leaders throughout the Protestant denominations is world to answer three questions carefully but interestingly por- Dr. Limouze has written the on the meaning of evangelism. trayed. The development of the interesting and inspiring story Their replies, or the most relesects, the history of the great re- of what home missions have vant portions, have been made done for America-in establish- available in this attractive volvivals and their influence upon ing churches and schools, in giv- ume. American life, as also the vari- ing examples of Christian homes, ous allied movements and or- in helping to promote social wel- In his foreword, Dr. Mott arganizations-such as Boy Scouts, fare, and good government. He rests attention immediately by Lay men's Missionary Move- draws his illustrations from declaring that "nothing in the work with Indians and Orientals, religious realm is more evident ments, the Gideons, Y. M. C. A. the Negroes, mountaineers, and than the world-wide interest in and Y. W. C. A., Knights of others. He reports. results and evangelism, the world-wide con- shows the cost; he pictures pres- cern .regarding the need that Columbus, Jewish Associations, ent-day problems, difficulties, the the Salvation Army, to say noth- trends and the need for contining of the Ku Klux Klan – all uing and strengthening home have their niche in this religious mission work, all forces coopergallery of fame. ating. It is a book for pastors It is a great book that should [334 ] be read by every preacher. He will come from the reading of it with a better appreciation of his
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF SS5
only evangelism can meet, and the message. Some also seemed will shall be done in every area the world-wide manifestations to confuse the spirit of evan- of life. of evangelistic action." gelism with its essential content. Every missionary should be The attempt to define evan- In the section dealing with the equipped in life and message to gelism brought forth a variety "relevance of evangelism," the win men to a saving knowledge of conviction and expression. views of contributors were nat- of Jesus Christ. To win con- Many emphasize the presenta- urally colored by the environ- verts, however, is not enough; tion of the Gospel, the Word or ment in which they lived and the they must be gathered into a felthe Christ to individual man to characteristics of race, custom lowship, a Christian brotherhood the end that he may respond in or religion of the people whom and there learn how to be wittrust and obedience to Him as a they sought to evangelize or nesses and winners of souls. As Saviour and in the commitment Christianize. one said: "The most abiding of his whole life to doing God's evangelism is that which is the will. Others emphasize the Dr. Charles R. Erdman, Presi- expression of the life of the local presentation of the Go s pel dent of the Board of Foreign church." through example and deed, and Missions of the Presbyterian would include in evangelism any Church, U. S. A., declared: "In It is pointed out that some service that interpreted God's these days the aspects of the mission schools report few stumercy and love to man. Dr. Christian Gospel which are most dents won to Christ; other meth- Johannes Warneck of the Rhein- needed (and most neglected) are ods are ineffective; even direct isch Missionary Society, frankly those which are regarded as methods of evangelistic work declares that "evangelism is not supernatural and which have are ineffective unless the mesmerely an enlightenment. One been communicated by definite senger is on fire with love for cannot send away darkness first revelation. The great truths of souls, has a saving and positive and then bring light. . . . And the Incarnation and the Deity of message, gives it in the power it does not promise cultural Christ, of His atoning work, of of the Holy Spirit, and with tact, blessings. It is not our task to His regenerating power and of love and patience. Christ must make earthly living conditions His infallible teaching are of the be given His opportunity to win more favorable. . . . The mis- very essence of the Gospel." each person to Himself.
sion has no social mission. So- On the other hand, Dr. Doug- This volume may be used of cial uplift is according to our las Horton, General Secretary of God to put evangelism in its experience not a good prepara- the Congregational and Chris- place of primacy in the missiontion for the Gospel." tian churches said: "It seems to ary enterprise, and to inspire me that the psychological and Christian workers everywhere, On the other extreme we find sociological aspects of the Gos- through the faithful presenta- Dr. J. Leighton Stuart, Presi- pel are the most relevant in our tion of Him who is the only Redent of Yenching University, time." deemer of mankind, to seek and Peiping, calling attention to one to save those that are lost. aspect of evangelism out of his Others, while pointing out that own experience. "This," says the basic needs of men do not FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. he, "is the witness of institu- change, say that present world tions, educational, medical and conditions call for stressing the Christian Home Making. Edited by otherwise, in their corporate Christian message of hope, the Mrs. Robert E. Speer and Miss Concapacity. . . . The right attitude giving of Christian guidance to stance Hallock. A joint statement to current social, economical and intellectuals and business and prepared for the Madras Conferpolitical issues, and with the professional men, and for the ence of the International Missionquality of life which wins the ad- presentation of Christ as the ary Council. 141pp. $1.50. miration of the Chinese public, Prince of Peace. . . . is a form of evangelism." This small but important book In the section on the "Fruit- amplifies somewhat the report Probably the definition that fulness of Evangelism," empha- of the Committee on the Chrisgathers up the essentials of sis is laid on sending forth men tian Home which was prepared evangelism on the part of most and women who are "truly con- for presentation at the recent is expressed in the words of Dr. verted and deeply Spirit-filled," meeting of the International William Temple, Archbishop of on the "preaching of the Gospel Missionary Council at Madras. York: "To evangelize is to pre- in the power of the Holy Ghost," The central theme of the book sent Jesus Christ in the power a clear and intelligent grasp of of the Holy Spirit, that men the great essentials of evangeli- is~ shall come to put their trast in cal Christianity, a life that hides God through Him, to accept Him behind Christ when He is pre- To see the human home in the light as their Saviour, and serve Him sented as Saviour and Lord and of this fierce flame of perfection, to as their King in the fellowship yet which is so Christian and see where and how the leaven of of His Church." vital and genuine that it cannot Christ, working in our common life, be hidden; a presentation that has lifted us from one level to an- In some instances, the mean- not only secures a decision, but other, and to face these infinite reing of evangelism was confused an honest and intelligent desire sources of power that can enable us with the various methods em- to obey Christ, and that God's to go on steadfastly to higher and ployed in the interpretation of higher levels.
Written in careful collabora- tion by outstanding missionary workers at horne and abroad, the book presents the Essence of the
Christian Home, the RequisIte more consistently the colorful F. Ernest Johnson, L. Foster Training for Christian Home days when Dr. Coan resided in Wood, A. J. Muste, Benson Y. Making, and studies of homes the Near East. There might Landis, Allan Knight Chalin America, Africa, India, have been added a more com- mers, and Luman J. Shafer. The China, Japan, Brazil and Mos- plete and accurate statement of chapters are too short for adelem lands. In many instances the present situation. In his quate t rea t men t s of their and with vivid illustrations, non- excellent foreword Dr. Speer weighty themes, each one of Christian homes are des.cribed very properly calls attention to which might well require a sepand contrasted with "the new the fact that modern Iran is very arate volume. But the high things of today" which are different from Persia forty or competence of the writers and brought by the knowledge of fifty years ago. their skill in the condensed pres- Christ. The changing status of entation of their subjects have women, the influence of mission- The reader must be cautioned giV'en us a readable and very ary homes, the effect of Chris- not to accept this as a report of important contribution to the littian education and many other present-day missionary activity erature of one of the great probinfluences are carefully consid- in Iran and Kurdistan. The last lems of the modern Church. ered. Individuals and groups chapter unfortunately gives the will find this book offers an un- impression that the closing of ARTHUR J. BROWN. usual basis for the study of that the Urumia Station was an immost important subject-Chris- mediate result of the World War. Art of Conducting Public Worship. tian Home Making. No mention is made of the post- By Albert W. Palmer, D.D., LL.D. war reconstruction of Urumia 207 pp. $2.50. Macmillan, New MARY SCHAUFFLER PLATT. Station. We should remember York. 1939. that the Imperial Government Yesterdays in Persia and Kurdistan. of Iran paid the Presbyterian This is a book of deep interest By Frederick G. Coan. 284 pp. Board of Foreign Missions its to all ministers of non-Liturgi- $2.50. Saunders Studio Press, asking price for the property in cal churches, as well as to lay- Claremont, California. Urumia and has allowed the men who have the resiponsibility mission to continue employing of conducting devotional meet- In the preface Dr. Coan ex- native evangelists all through ings and public services of worplains that his object is "to give the Urumia plain since that date. ship. As President of Chicago an account of the human and ro- Theological S e min a r y after mantic aspects of the mission- Dr. Coan's stories of hair- years of experience as a pastor ary's life, to outline the experi- raising adventures of early mis- in Oakland California, Central ence of a life of service and a sionaries make exciting reading Union Church, Honolulu, and kind that, with a change of time, and give further evidence of the First Congregational Church of has become almost unique, and, courage and abiding faith of Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Palmer can above all, to present that side of these pioneers. The maps in the speak with authority and he the missionary's life that will end papers and the illustrations writes with enthusiasm and in a especially interest the young." are helpful but there is need for very practical way. He deals This purpose the author has ful- an index and a glossary explain- with the weaknesses and failfilled with a great degree of suc- ing the Near Eastern terms and ures in much public worship and cess. Certainly few modern phrases used throughout. clearly points out the causes. He volumes of fiction or travel de- treats the historical background scribe such rough and ready HERRICK B. YOUNG. of Christian worship and the existence and such hairbreadth primary significance of it, showescapes. The Church Faces the World. Edited ing what must happen if it is to by Samuel McCrea Cavert. 133 pp. remain worthy of the name. The early chapters are espe- $1.50. Round Table Press. New There is a chapter on the archicially valuable to the student of York. 1939. tectural setting. for worship, missionary activity in the Near which alone is worth the price East. Here Dr. Coan tells of the This small but important book of the book to any who are renotwenty-five years of pioneer was prepared for the Interna- vating, remodeling or building Rervice begun by his parents· in tional Missionary Council in new church edifices. There are 1851. The succeeding chapters Madras, India, last December. suggested patterns of worship deal chronologically with Dr. A commission of American services, and for special occa- Co-an's own colorful forty years Christians had been appointed sions. The two parts. 0'£ the among the Assyrians and min- to study the relation of the appendix are most helpful. "A" gling with the Kurds between Church to the changing social has a check list by which one Mosul, Tabriz, and the Turkish and economic order, and the re- may grade his own efforts. in frontier. Those who have had sults of the study are sum- conducting public worship, and the pleasure of knowing this vet- marized in the present volume. another check list for rating the eran missionary campaigner will The varied phases of the subject use of music in such services. read of his experiences with in- are discussed in ten chapters, "B" is an annotated book lis,t, terest. One could wish, however, by. John C. Bennett, H. Richthat the occasional references to ard Niebuhr, Samuel McCrea for those who wish to enhance modern Iran had been omitted Cavert (who, in addition, edited their skill in this art. so that the story would depict the volume and contributed the Introduction), John H. Reisner, R. C. WILLIAMSON.
List on Home Missions American Youth Commission of the The Red Man in the United
American Council on Education. By G. E. E. Lindquist. $3.50. GENERAL AND HISTORICAL $1.50. D. Appleton-Century Co. Doubleday, Doran. New York. New York. 1937. 1923. Christian Youth in Action. Frank W. Herriott. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents They Starve That We May Eat. MEXICANS AND ORIENTALS paper. Friendship Press. New Edith E. Lowry. 35 cents. Friend- IN AMERICA York. 1935. ship Press. New York. 1937. Mexican in the United States, The. God and the Census. Robert N. Mc- Races and Ethnic Groups in Amer- E. S. Bogardus. $1.60 cloth; $1.25 Lean. 50 cents cloth; 25 cents ican Life. T. J. Woofter. McGraw- paper. University of Southern Cali- paper. Friendship Press. New Hill Book Co. New York. 1932. fornia Press. Berkeley. 1934. York. 1931. THE CITY Orientals in American Life. Albert Homeland Harvest. Arthur H. W. Palmer. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents Limouze. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents City and Church in Transition. Mur- paper. Friendship Press. 1934. paper. Friendship Press. New ray H. Leiffer. $2.50. Willett, York. 1939. Clark & Co. Chicago. 1938. ALASKA AND THE WEST They Came Seeking. Coe S. Hayne. Urban Scene. Margueritte Harmon The Story of Alaska. Clarence L. $1.00. Judson Press. Philadelphia. Bro. 25 cents paper. Illustrated. Andrews. Enlarged edition, $4.00. 1935. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Caxton Printers. Caldwell, Idaho. 1938. Toward a Christian America. Her- City Man. Charles Hatch Sears. mann N. Morse. $1.00. Friendship Special paper edition, 75 cents. Sheldon Jackson. Robert Laird Press. New York. 1935. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Stewart. Revell. New York. 1908.
American Saga: The History of Lit- City Shadows. Robert W. Searle. Alaskan Adventures. L. Wirt. $1.50. erature of the American Dream of $1.00 cloth; 60 cents paper. Friend- Revell. New York. 1937. a Better Life. Marjorie Barstow ship Press. New York. 1938. Greenbie. $4.00. Whittlesey House. Henry Harmon Spalding: Pioneer of New York. 1939. RURAL LIFE Old Oregon. Clifford Merrill Drury. $3.00. Caxton Printers. Caldwell, Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Christ of the Countryside. Malcolm Idaho. 1936. Road. H. A. B. Bruce. $1.75. Mac- Dana. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. millan. New York. 1910. Nashville. 1937. Marcus Whitman. Clifford Merrill Drury. $5.00. Caxton Printers. Epic of America, The. J ames Tru- Christian Enterprise Among Rural Caldwell, Idaho. 1937. slow Adams. $1.29. Blue Ribbon People, The. Kenyon L. Butter- Books, Inc. New York. 1936. field. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Vanguard of the Caravans: A Life Nashville. 1928. Story of John Mason Peck. Coe Frontier Spirit in American Chris- Hayne. $1.00. Judson Press. tianity, The. Peter G. Mode. Mac- Rebuilding Rural America. Mark A. Philadelphia. 1931. millan. New York. 1923. Dawber. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents paper. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. AMERICAN CHURCH AND THE March of Faith, The: The Story of CHRISTIAN MESSAGE Religion in America Since 1865. America Begins Again. Katherine William E. Garrison. $2.50. Harper Glover. Illus. $2.75. Whittlesey Christianity-and Our World. John & Bros. New York. 1933. House. New York. 1939. C. Bennett. 50 cents. Association Press. New York. 1936. Right Here at Home. Frank S. Mead. THE NEGRO AND THE $1.00. Friendship Press. New AMERICAN INDIAN Church and State in Contemporary York. 1939. America. Williams Adams Brown. American Race Problems: A Study $2.75. Scribner's. New York. Story of Missions, The. Edwin E. of the Negro. Edward B. Reuter. 1936. White. $1.00. Friendship Press. 2nd. rev. ed. $3.00. Thomas Y. New York. 1926. Crowell Co. New York. 1938. Church Looks Ahead, The. American Protestant Christianity: an Analy- Wagons West: A Story of the Oregon Twelve Negro Americans. Mary sis and Forecast. Charles E. Scho- Trail. Elizabeth Page. Farrar & Jenness. $1.00. Friendship Press. field, Ed. $3.00. Macmillan. New Rinehart. New York. 1930. New York. 1937. York. 1933.
We Must March. Honore Willsie Brown America. Edwin R. Embree. Church Unity Movements in the Morrow. A. L. Burt Co. New $1.25. Special Friendship Press United States. H. Paul Douglass. York. 1927. Edition. New York. 1937. Institute of Social and Religious Re- search. New York. 1934. PRESENT-DAY PROBLEMS Story of the American Negro, The. Ina Corinne Brown. $1.00 cloth, 60 Evangelism i,n a Changing W orId. Alien Americans: A Study of Race cents paper. Friendship Press. Ambrose M. Bailey. $1.50. Round Relations. Bertram J. O. Schrieke. New York. 1937. Table Press. New York. 1936. $21.50. Viking Press. New York. American Indian and Christian Mis- U. S. Looks at Its Churches, The. Christian F a i t h and Economic sons, The. George W. Hinman. C. Luther Fry. Institute of Social Change. Halford E. Luccock: $2.00. $1.50. Revell. New York. and Religious Research. New York. Abingdon Press. New York. 1936. 1930. Story of the Red Man, The. Flora Christianity and Industry in America. W. Seymour. $5.00. Longmans, PROGRAMS AND POLICIES OF Alva W. Taylor. Friendship Press. Green & Co. New York. 1929. HOME MISSIONS New York. 1933. Cry Dance. Coe Hayne. $2.00 (Fic- Christian Mission in America, The. Pioneering on Social Frontiers. tion). Harper & Bros. New York. Hugh T. Kerr. $1.00. Friendship Graham Taylor. $4.00. University 1939. Press. New York. 1933. of Chicago Press. Chicago. 1930. Facing the Future in Indian Missions. Home Missions Today and Tomor- Protestant Churches and the Indus- Lewis Meriam and George W. Hin- row: A Review and a Forecast. trial Crisis. E. B. Chaffee. Mac- man. $1.00. Friendship Press. Hermann N. Morse, Ed. 75 cents millan. New York. 1933. New York. 1932. paper. Home Missions Council. New York. 1934. How Fare American Youth? Homer Indian Americans. Winifred Hulbert. P. Rainey and others. Report to Friendship Press. New York. What Next in Home Missions? Wil- 1932. liam P. Shriver. 50 cents. Friend- ship Press. New York. 1928.
THE FAMILY ALTAR RETURN?
The increased use of a daily devotional guide among Protestants of all faiths gives hope and encouragement for the return of the family altar. By far, the largest circulated of these devotional guides is THE UPPER ROOM The World's Leading Devotional Periodical Read Daily in a Million Homes Are the homes represented in your church using it? . The issue for July, August, and September is now ready for distribution. Place an order today for as many copies as you need. Use our consignment plan. Ten or more copies, shipped to one address, to be sold at five cents per copy, with the< privilege of returning unsold copies at our expense. Yearly subscriptions, 30 cents postpaid; foreign, 40 cents. Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM Doctors' Building, Nashville, Tennessee
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1938
1938
"What a Time to Be in China 1"
Courtenay H. Penn The Call of the Dyacks of Borneo R. A. Jaf/ray Christian Sadhus and Ashrams w. Q. Lash What Is the Koran?
E. E. Elder The Privilege of Preaching to Moslems -Stephen Khoobyar Presenting the Gospel in Brazil E. M. Do Amaral The Prime Needs of a City Church G. H. Bechtold 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to. Remember LET CHRISTMAS COME T:O
December 6-9-Biennial meeting of The chUdren of war.torn China. orphaned. abandoned. hopeless. lift appealing the Federal Council of Churches, hands. Your prayers and aid wUlllive them a Christian Christmas. Buffalo, N. Y. HOME OF OMESIPHORUI December 13-30 – International Mis- sionary Council, Madras, India. TAIAN. SHANTUNG. CHINA December 30-31 – All-India Confer- Thill faith work. one of the largest Christian institutions in the Orient. has saved ence of Indian Christians, Madras, thousands. Founded more than two decades ago by the Rev. and Mrs. Anglin. India. Thousands of earnest Christians have been blessed by sharin. their means in this ministry. Your help now will make Christmas a time of joy for hopeless chUdren January 8-10, 1939 – Home Missions and a time of reaping a great harvest of souls for the Kingdom. Council, Baltimore, Md. Write today for FREE picture and story of Chinese girl shown in this ad; January 21-25 – Cause and Cure of also receive "Helping China's Helpless." If God speaks to your heart, War Conference, Washington, D. C. enclose cheCk or money order or indicate willingness to join in prayer for God'. blessing on this work. Addres.: January 23-February IS-Iowa School for Missionaries. Iowa State College, HOME OF ONESIPHORUS American Office Ames, Iowa. 2811 North Racine Avenue Drawer 36 Chicago, Illinois February 6-l4-International Council of Religious Education, Chicago, Ill. Hughes was born in Atlanta, Ga., sev- Amoy, China, under the Reformed enty-two years ago. Church in America, died at Hemp- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- stead, L. I., on November 12th at the ARY ASSEMBLIES *** age of 85. She was born in China, the daughter of the Rev. John Van January 24-26-Jacksonville. Miss Annabel Galt, retired mission- Nest Talmadge, a missionary, and January 25-27-Daytona Beach. ary of the Presbyterian Board, died in after being educated in America re- January 28-February I-Miami. Orlando, Fla., October 3. Miss Galt turned for her long service in Amoy January 29-31-Ft. Lauderdale. went to Siam in. 1891, and was sta- and came to America only last year, February l-3-Palm Beaches. tioned at Petchaburi for eight years. suffering from the effects of a frac- February 4-8-0rlando. From 1900, she was connected with tured hip. February 5-7-DeLand. Bangkok Christian College as teacher February 9-l0-Sarasota. of English. In addition to this work *** February 8-l0-Ft. Myers. she taught Bible classes, prepared and February 11-I6-St. Petersburg. edited several textbooks in Siamese, Mrs. A,no Liza Gulick, the widow February l2-15-Clearwater. aided in planning and developing the of the Rev. O. H. Gulick, formerly a February 17-18-Southern College. women's organizations in the local and missionary to Japan under the Amer- February 19-21-Tampa. National church, and worked in the ican Board of Commissioners for For- February 19-21-Winter Haven. Sunday school and community. eign Missions, died in Honolulu on February 22-23-Quincy. October 9th at the age of 105. She February 23-24-Tallahassee. *** was born in the Hawaiian Islands and February 24-26-All College. later attended Mt. Holyoke College, The Rev. John B. Dunlap, D.D., an Massachusetts. She was married to Obituary Notes honorably retired missionary from Mr. Gulick in 1855 and went to Japan Siam of the Presbyterian Church, where they remained until 1892 when Dr. Murdoch MacKenzie, of the U. S. A., died in Los Gatos, California they returned to Hawaii to work United Church of Canada, widely on September 22nd. He was born in among the Japanese. known by reason of nearly fifty years' New Alexandria, Pa., on Sept. 12, service for missions in Honan, China, 1860, and after being graduated from THf PRfSBYTfRIAn died recently. Dr. Murdoch was born Washington and Jefferson College and eighty years ago in Scotland. In Western Theological Seminary, he (0 The only weekly in the 1883, he went to Canada, was educated sailed for Siam in 1888 and remained Presbyterian Church. in McGill University, and the Presby- there for forty years, teaching and terian Seminary in Montreal; in 1889, doing extensive evangelistic work. He (. Its message is based upon he was sent to Honan, and with Dr. also prepared a Siamese hymnal and the Revealed Word of God. Jonathan Goforth had many perilous directed the work of the Mission Press experiences. Dr. MacKenzie was a in Bangkok. (0 Goes into every state in man of profound and devout scholar- the Union, U. S. possessions ship, upon which he drew with untir- *** and many foreign countries. ing energy in the training of a native ministry. The Rev. Masue Kawazoe, veteran Subscription rate – $2.50 pastor of the Church of Christ in J a- Ministerial rate . . $2.00 Shortly before his death, he realized pan (the Presbyterian and Reformed a long-cherished desire to visit the Church) died July 11th at his home SOc. extra..Canadian postage Holy Land, and a farewell visit to his in Tokyo. Mr. Kawazoe. was born in $1.50 extra.. Foreign postage native Scotland. Kochi sixty-nine years ago, was bap'- tized at seventeen, educated at MeJji THE PRESBYTERIHn *** Gakuin, Tokyo, and Auburn Semi- nary, New York. After being or- 121 7 Market Street Samuel Bryant, Treasurer of the dained in 1898, he was pastor of Philaclelphia, Pa. American Baptist Home Mission So- churches in Nagasaki, Osaka and ciety since 1919, died at his home in Tokyo. He was a member of the Palisades Park, N. Y., September 21. Committee on the Revision of the He had devoted eight of the nineteen New Testament, on the editorial staff years of service without salary. of the Christian Literature Society of Japan, formerly dean of the Theo- *** logical Department of Meiji Gakuin. president emeritus of the Japan Theo- Mrs. Isabel Hughes, wife of Bishop logical Seminary, former president of Edwin H. Hughes of the Methodist the Synod of the Church of Christ in Episcopal Church, died in Washing- Japan, pastor emeritus of the Aoyama ton, D. C., September 16, after an ill- Church, Tokyo. and one of the foreness of more than two years. Mrs. most Japanese scholars of New Testa- ment Greek.
*** Miss Katharine M. Talmadge. for sixty-four years a missionary in
Malwa-the Great Temple THE
REVIEW OF THE WORLD When Ihe good wOl'k calls you Easl … sail DBLAVAN L. PIBBBON, BeUtor p&O VOL. LXI DEC., 1938 No. 12 Publication and Buslnesa Ollie&– Third and Reily Ste., Harrlsburl, Pa.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROBBRT E. SPBBR, President A. L. WABNBlIUIB, V'CtI-Prerilknt W ALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIBBSON, Secretaf'1/ PAUL J. BRAISTED SAKUBL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WK. B. LIPPllABD ERIC M. NORTH SAMUBL M. ZWEKER 1938 marks the second century of P & 0 Editorial Chat The great white Empresses hold service to the lands beyond Suez! When- every speed record to and from ever you are called to the other side of Here endeth our sixty-first volume the Orient. 10 days direct to the world, choose this traditional route. of THE REVIEW. But another volume Yokohama by Empress of Asia Cross to England by Cunard White Star begins with the January number. or Empress of Russia. Or only . . • and then embark in a great liner of This coming year is one that you will three days more via Hawaii by the P & 0 and British India fleets, led not wish to miss. Never were there Empress of Japan, largest and by the new 23,SOO-ton Stratheden and greater problems that face the Church fastest on the Pacific, or Empress Strathallan, featuring air-conditioned of Christ in China, Korea, Japan, In- of Canada. Connect at Honolulu dining saloons in first-class, hot and cold dia, Europe, and America. Never was from California ports. running water throughout, built-in out- there greater need for Christ and His From Vancouver and Victoria of-door swimming pools, children's play- Gospel; never were there larger op- to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, portunities or greater encouragements. Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Iranian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, THE REVIEW will keep you informed Details from YOUR TRAVEL Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Aus- on these points and on progress all AGENT or Canadian Pacific,: tralia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. over the world. 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. Special reductions and generous baggage allowance for missionaries. *** Convenient through bookings can be ar- In 1939 we plan to take up the most important topics discussed at the rangedby your travel agent or any office of Madras Conference, together with rad- ical changes proposed in missionary CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE policies and methods. Mrs. Howard Taylor is to tell in our January issue General Agents the inspiring story of how God guided the program of the China Inland Mis- 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. sion in North America. It is a story that all should read.
A number of pastors and mission- ary executives will tell "How to In- terest Men in Missions." The answers they give are illuminating for they come from experience.
Here is the c*om*men*t of one reader as to the value of THE REVIEW: "We have been delighted with THE REVIEW. Please enter our subscrip- tion sufficiently in advance so that we will not miss any of the issues. We do not care to be without the mag- azine. It is a source of spiritual power and inspiration to us."
MRS. HOWARD THOMAS, American Presbyterian Mission, Kiulung- kiang, Yunnan, China.
[561 ]
~ C!Cbristian C!Cbristmas :!fMessage
FROM JAPAN TO CHINA* DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I ask your pardon for my nation. Because of what. we are doing, I cannot preach in the Name of Christ. … I ask your attention to this fact; however, that even in Japan the majority of the Japanese people were against sending any troops to China. We Christians were bit- terly opposed to it. Therefore pardon us, pardon me especially, because our Christian forces were not strong enough to get the victory over the militarists. But the day will come when we shall be strong enough to do so, and when both nations will be harmonious and peaceful in the Name of Christ. . . . We Japanese love China. Where the city of Kyoto stands today there was in former times a colony of Chinese farmers. Because they had the highest culture then known, the Japanese Imperial Household moved to that district. As the city of Kyoto grew up, eighty per cent of its noble families came to be of Chinese descent. Among the immigrant strains in Japan, from the Southern Seas, from Korea, from Siberia, from Mongolia, the one which has contributed the dominant factor to Japanese civilization is from China. Therefore we who know the facts love China. But unless we, in both Japan and China, become more Christian, we shall never have per- manent peace. . . . Sometimes we are very selfish and even some Christians do not see the need of praying. . . . When you are contented, and have no holy ambition to build up the nation, you may have no desire to pray. . . . Oppressed by wars, oppressed by capitalism, op- pressed by the injustice of the present economic social system-can we ignore the needs of men? If we are contented with the sort of world we have at present, there is no use of praying to God. But if we want real peace, and real humanity, real Godliness, there are many problems for the solution of which we must pray. We must pray for each of the nations, for Africa, for India, and for China and Japan. We must pray for world peace, for the uplifting of the poor, for the desert to be made green, for the New Age, for the New Society. We must pray for science to be controlled by conscience. . . .
If you pray, world peace will be realized; the poor will be emancipated. Abraham Lin- coln prayed through the night before he wrote his Emancipation Proclamation. I believe it was because he prayed that the four millions of poor slaves were emancipated.
Unless Christ is glorified in the Orient, the fate of our continent will be very dismal. Un- less we believe in Christ, and deepen our spiritual life with Christian idealism, peace will never come…. Stanley Jones, in his small pamphlet entitled "Christ on the Andes Road,"
tells of how war had long prevailed between Argentine and Chile. After many years a reconcili- ation was suggested, and they came to the conclusion that they must have peace through Christ.
On the top of the mountain range between the two countries a great statue was erected of the Saviour, Christ, stretching out His arms, on the one side blessing Argentine, and on the other side blessing Chile. May the Prince of Peace come thus in the Orient, and bless China on the one hand and Japan on the other! TOYOHIKO KAGAWA.
• From Friends oj Jesus (December. 1931) .
.. IIl~~!IJI!IJI!i!i~~!IJI!i!lJl!i!i!i!i!i:IIl!i»a!i!i~!i!lJl!i!lJli; [562 ] REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1938 Topics of the Times REAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 1938 moting international peace and a cessation from the building of a great army and air force. The widespread spirit of Christmas giving throughout the world is evidenced by the general Suppose that in Spain, Loyalists and Revoluobservance of Christmas even among the non- tionists should extend to each other the right hand Christians-in music, festivals, cards and the too- of brotherhood and should give themselves to the often formal exchange of gifts. How much of this work of promoting righteousness, brotherly love, activity is truly motivated and directed by the and the rebuilding of their national life on a firm Spirit of Christ? Christians acknowledge that basis. Italy might celebrate their Christmas by giving Ethiopia her freedom and her own people every good gift comes from God – our physical a release from fear. Mexico's gift might be not and mental powers, spiritual things – and are only a square deal for the peons and for the available even though we neglect, reject, despise Church but the right to teach Christianity and a or misuse them. The best gifts are those that no just settlement of questions involved in the conmoney can buy, and that enrich the recipient while fiscation of property.
they do not impoverish the giver. What about England and America? Could not With Himself, Jesus Christ gave the world His Great Britain make a better Christmas gift than love, peace and joy, the forgiveness of sin and 5,000 new bombing airplanes? How would the Life Eternal. Spirit of Christ best be shown in the settlement of Was there ever a time in history when these the Irish question, the problem of Palestine, Homegifts were more needed than today? How much rule in India and in the matter of German colit would mean if they were everywhere received onies? In America the Christmas spirit is not and shared? How infinitely better these would be shown in the increase of armaments and of taxes. than the gift of greater material prosperity for There is abundant opportunity to celebrate in a which men are striving so eagerly – better even settlement of labor difficulties and by giving unthan new laws, than new labor-saving inventions, selfish, efficient government to the nation, states higher wages. or shorter hours of work! and cities. Christ-like Christmas gifts would in- What a difference it would make in the world clude the general observance of laws and customs today if the true Spirit of Christ were manifested that promote purity in the home and personal life ; this year among all nations in the observance of sincerity in the worship of God; brotherly treat- Christmas. Imagine the effect if Japan, moved ment of Negroes, Mexicans and Orientals. Amer- by this Spirit, should give peace to China and true ica might celebrate in a Christ-like way by using religious liberty to the Koreans.. Suppose that her wealth to meet the crying needs of others Soviet Russia should celebrate Christmas by giv- around the world. Would not this be a different world if the love of Christ and a knowledge of ing the right to teach youth to know and worship His Way of Life should direct the Christmas cele- God, freedom to political prisoners and freedom bration of all nations in 1938 and in the years to of the press and speech! What if Germany gave civil rights and freedom from persecution to her come?
Jewish population, freedom from religious and We may not be able to control the giving of the political oppression to pastor Niemoller and other nations, but what about ourselves? As individuals Christians, friendly cooperation to Europe in pro- how can we best show our sense of indebtedness [563 ]
to Christ; how can we truly reveal His Spirit and thousands of Chinese find food, protection and make this a joyful Christmas, effectively carrying loving sympathy.
forward the work that He came to do-in our own Z. Should missionaries leave their stations to lives, in our home circle, in our nation and in the follow the fleeing Chinese so as to continue or world, to make this a truly joyful Christmas? establish work among them in new centers where little has been done? This course has been fol- MISSIONARY PROBLEMS IN CHINA lowed in the case of faculties of many schools and With the Japanese war-machine pressing on- colleges which have been closed by the Japanese ward in the west and south of China, the Christian advance. The Nanking University work has been missionaries as well as the Chinese find themselves moved to Chengtu in Szechuan; the faculties of in a difficult position. Driving onward up the Soochow College and Schools have been moved to Yangtse River the Japanese have captured Han- Shanghai and elsewhere ; much of the Bethel Miskow, Wuchang and Hanyang where over one hun"- sion of Shanghai has been transferred to Hongdred and fifty American and British missionaries kong or Kowloon, since their property has been have been working under the London Missionary occupied by the Japanese. Foochow College stu- Society, China Inland Mission and the American dents have been moved to a less dangerous. location Protestant Episcopal Church and twenty other further inland, since the Japanese seem to plan missions. In this Wu-Han district are located hos- the destruction of educated Chinese. Thus the pitals, colleges and schools and churches that Christians have sought to conserve their resources mean much for the development of China. Al- and to carryon their work with as· little loss of ready many of the institutions have been moved life and with as much efficiency as possible. westward to Chentu and southward to Hongkong but, with the modern airplane in the hands of a 3. In cases of Japanese occupation and dominaruthless but skilful enemy, no people or place, tion in larger or smaller areas in China, should however remote or peaceful, is exempt from the missionaries remain at their posts as neutrals and devastation wrought by these engines of destruc- serve all within reach-whether Chinese or J aption. The Chinese armies, in spite of intense suf- anese-even cooperating with Japanese for confering and against heavy odds, are still fighting structive work? This view is held by some who courageously to defend themselves and their coun- believe that missionaries are supra-national. Most try from this invasion but the immediate outcome of the missionaries, however, believe that, while is impossibl~ to predict. The Christian mission- they are ready to minister in the Spirit of Christ aries are proving their sacrificial courage, their to all within reach, their first responsibility is to real love for the Chinese and their resourcefulness the Chinese to whom they have gone as ambassain this time of danger. Without their help the dors of Christ. They believe that the Chinese are situation of the Chinese in the war areas would the victims of an unprovoked attack, and realize be infinitely worse; more and more the Chinese that there are still many millions of the people realize this. But the problems of the missionaries who have never yet even heard the Gospel and are many and do not decrease as the war advances. there are many thousands of towns and villages Questions are raised: still without any representative of Christ. They have seen the nobility and faithfulness of Chinese 1. When war threatens their ve'ry existence Christians and believe that this time of fellowship should missionaries close their work and move with them in suffering is opening many Chinese elsewhere to carry on? Some few "neutrals" ad- hearts to Christ and His message of life as never vise this in order to avoid international complica- before. tions. But the missionaries as a whole reject this suggestion as desertion of their posts. and their Christians and the Christian Church have never flocks. While women with children, who could not been exempt from suffering; but history has be of help under war conditions, have been evac- proved, times without number, that the very uated from many stations, the vast number of "gates of hell shall not prevail" against those who missionaries remain at their posts and risk their are loyal to Christ and His program. Victory and deliverance is assured since Christ is the Victor.
lives to serve the Chinese. In one mission seventy THE DILEMMA OF KOREAN CHRISTIANS out of seventy-one stations are still kept open and missionaries continue to serve as ambassadors of Reports from Chosen show the determination Christ and helpers in time of need. Many schools of Japanese officials to compel Korean attendance and colleges are necessarily closed, or have moved at Shinto shrines. At first this order was enforced elsewhere, because of danger to pupils and the only in certain centers and in government schools.
occupation of property by the Japanese soldiers; It was then extended to all Christian colleges and but the hospitals and churches are kept open and schools and now is being enforced for theological mission compounds are used as refuges where seminaries and Bible school students(and teachers.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Churches and other institutions are included in gods or to follow the superstitious rites propithe order to set up shrines or to bow before the tiating spirits in Africa and the islands of the sea. Emperor's picture. A refusal on conscientious grounds means rough treatment, imprisonment The situation in Korea is serious. In Formosa and other forms of persecution. the Shinto shrine rule has already been enforced. Apparently "Cresar" has won for the time being The Japanese officials are evidently determined and Christian schools that did not comply have to break down all opposition and are endeavoring been closed. There is danger that the Japanese to create a totalitarian Japanese Empire with ab- will endeavor to enforce the same regulations in solute and unquestioning obedience to every order Manchukuo and in occupied territory in China. of the Government. They recognize no God or Harmony is possible between national loyalty and law of God as of greater authority than the laws loyalty to God but there can be no truce between of the Empire, represented by their "divine" Em- the Japanese conception of Emperor worship and peror. While some officials declare that obeisance the Christian obligation to put God first in every at the shrines of the "Sun Goddess" is merely a phase of life. patriotic observance, they have refused to make any compromise in the ceremony such as will con- WILL MADRAS MEET THE OPPORTUNITY? vince Korean Christians that they can take part in the observance without disloyalty to God as the There is unquestionably a crisis in missions toonly object of worship. day. The conference at Madras, composed of selected delegates from mission churches 'and A crisis came in Chosen at the time of the meet- from American and European missionary leading of the Korean Presbyterian General Assembly ers, will be called upon to face that crisis. They on September 10th. The Japanese police ordered will consider, not so much the lack of missionary every delegate not to oppose going to Shinto candidates and missionary support from the shrines and many who refused were prevented sending churches, as the problems on the fieldfrom attending the Assembly. Missionaries were the promotion of self-support; their independence; asked to sign a statement that they would comply their union or inter-church cooperation in each with the order to advise their people to attend the area; the adequate training of native Christian shrines. They refused; if they attempted to speak leaders; the development of spiritual life in the on the subject at the General Assembly they were churches and homes; the place of education in forcibly prevented by the police who crowded the missions today; but, most of all, there must be an meeting place and sat on the platform. When the earnest study of the promotion of spiritual life, question was put-advising all to attend the of faith and Christlike service in each church and shrines-very few of the delegates responded; the group. Madras must look earnestly and fearlessly negative was not put to vote and some protested. at these problems and must prayerfully and hon- As a result several missionaries have felt it neces- estly seek God's guidance and power for their sary for them to withdraw from the General As- solution. Some present-day problems that form sembly and a committee has been appointed to the crisis seem to us to be as follows: appeal to Tokyo. Should secular education under mission con- The Japanese have also ordered that steps be trol be curtailed in many fields so as to release taken to alter the character and powers of the workers and money for direct evangelistic work. General Assembly, making the Moderator a "legal The church leaders must face this matter couraperson" with authority to act for the whole geously or they may be forced out of this field Church; there are signs that the Korean Church by governments that wish to control education. may be compelled to unite in one organization with the Church in Japan. Some new plan should be formulated whereby churches and institutions in the field will ex- Loyal Korean Christians are suffering in many ercise a greater degree of self-government, and at ways-in prison and out. They offer no objection the same time receive substantial support from to showing loyalty to the Japanese Emperor, to abroad, when they show that they will use it efthe Government and obedience to all righteous fectively. That problem of support must be faced laws; but multitudes take the stand that they and solved. choose persecution and death rather than be disloyal to God. It is' practically the old question More attention must be given to the developraised in Israel by the worship of Baal, in the ment of spirit-filled and intelligent Bible-trained Roman Empire by the order to worship Roman Christian workers in every church and in each gods and in every mission field in recent years field. The means must be found for the increase where Christians have faced persecution because and improvement in such training by schools, they have determined to worship God as revealed institutes and conferences. in Christ rather than acknowledge the prior claims of Mohammec or Buddha, the Hindu or Chinese Union mission enterprises are facing a crisis. If they are to continue they need to be placed on
a firmer spiritual basis, with clearer agreement FIFTY YEARS IN ARABIA as to aims and teachings, and as to the spiritual power, personnel and methods on which their Arabia, the great western Asia peninsula, is abiding success depends. about one third the size of the United States, and with a scattered population of possibly 10,000,000 A new study should be made as to the type of -chiefly nomadic tribes of Arabs, most of them missionary that is needed in order to cooperate hunters, traders and fishermen. There was no harmoniously with the leaders of the native Christian work among them, until in 1886 a churches, to help train spiritual workers, and to young man, Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer, went out do abiding, effective Christlike service. from England and settled in the small British out- post of Aden in southern Arabia. The Arabians How can the churches, and Christian groups in were scarcely touched by the Gospel Message. each field, conserve the essentials of the Christian Then two young Americans had a vision of the message? This includes the eternal, spiritual Neglected Peninsula. James Cantine and Samuel character of God, the Father; the revelation and M. Zwemer – college and seminary graduates, salvation provided in Christ, the Son of God; the connected with the Reformed Church-heard the guidance and power of the Spirit of God; the in- call of God and volunteered to go out as mission- tegrity and authority of the Bible as the Word of aries to these fanatical Moslems, without any God; the essential unity of Christians and their guarantee of Mission Board support. Peter work as witnesses of the redemption brought Zwemer joined them two years later but died in through Christ and His manifestation of the love 1898; the" other two continued the work. They established mission stations on the Persian Gulf, of God. traveled widely over the peninSUla and faced and How, at the same time, can the churches and survived opposition and many dangers. They are now "honorably retired" but still are active in Christians in each field contribute most to the America in behalf of Moslems the world over. promotion of God's control over human life– national, physical, economical, social, mental and After some years the Reformed Church in spiritual; and how can each country be free to America adopted the mission and has since spon- develop its own type of Christlike life and service sored its activities'. Their plans for the jubilee under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, without celebration includes an interesting history of the imitating American and European institutions? fifty years ("The Golden Milestone") prepared by Drs. Cantine and Zwemer; a tour has already But most of all, and affecting all, is the problem been taken among the churches; one secretary, of how the spiritual life of churches, families and Dr. F. M. Potter, has gone out to visit the field; individuals can be promoted most effectively so all Reformed Church congregations are to hold as to carry out the teachings and spirit of Jesus anniversary services on February 26, 1939; a Christ. thanksgiving offering is to be taken and used to strengthen the work; a church-wide study of Here is a large program for the four hundred Arabia is to be undertaken to inform Christians delegates during their two weeks' conference at at home as to the needs and progress of the Madras. The problems are different in Africa, Arabian enterprise. Here is a notable jubilee, Turkey, Iran, Latin America, China, India and worthy of joyful and sacrificial celebration. Japan. But the same principles underly them all and the same Spirit of God must show their solu- God's guiding and governing hand has been tion. China is sending a strong delegation to the clearly evident in the lives of the missionaries and conference but Japan can send very few; India in the development of the work. The evidences of will be well represented but many other fields this are clearly set forth in the history of the Mis- must depend on a small number of native leaders. sion prepared by the founders. Closed doors have America is sending about fifty and Europe (in- been opened, hostile sheikhs have become friendly; cluding Great Britain) as many more. One weak- invitations to visit new districts have been ex- ness will be in the absence of representatives of tended, even by the king, Ibn Saud himself; the independent, nondenominational missions like the interior and the coast have been explored; schools China Inland Mission, Christian and Missionary and hospitals have been established; tons of Alliance, Sudan Interior Mission and other "Faith Bibles and other Christian literature have been Missions." They represent a type of work and distributed; men, women and children have been . missionary ideal that should not be overlooked. won to Christ. Many of the stories of "Arabian Days Evangelism" are as thrilling as those of the It is a time for 'Christians at home to pray for "Arabian Nights Entertainment"; in addition the delegates at Madras and to prepare for the these missionary stories are true and stimUlating messages and the messengers who will be com- to Christian faith. ing back to report and to stir spiritual fires in America and Europe. Was there ever a greater need for a world-wide revival under the banner of Christ?
"What a Time to Be in China!"
By the REV. COURTENAY H. FENN, D.D. I ~. – I For Thirty-four Years a Missionary in China ,~==========================~ T HIS caption, from a missionary's letter* gives prehension has caused this experience to become graphic expression to the diametrically op- the time of unprecedented opportunity for the posite attitudes of two groups of people-an missionary and the time of unparalleled success attitude of repulsion and an attitude of exultation. for the Gospel.
In these days the most frequent salutation of a In view of this fact, what are the perils of war furloughed or retired China missionary from his and the hardships of seeing and ministering to acquaintances in America is: "Aren't you glad limitless suffering? Not only does the missionyou're not in China now?" With the current ary ask for no exemption from the sorrows of the newspaper and radio pictures of "bombs bursting people, but from the beginning has refused to in air" and in much more deadly proximity to accept such exemption when offered him. In so human lives and habitations, and with the maga- doing he has not merely won the hearts of the zines venturing at last to print eye-witness ac- suffering people, but also such grateful acclaim counts of the frightfully barbarous massacres and from the Chinese leaders that hitherto closed burnings and rapings perpetrated by a scientifi- doors have been thrown open to him and the limically equipped and demon-inspired invading horde, tations of liberty to give religious instruction in there are millions of our people, in the Church as the schools have been removed. The thanks of well as out of it, who cannot conceive of any the nation have been proclaimed by those highest other rational answer to the question than, "In- in authority and there has been a spontaneous outdeed I am glad!" Yet, mirabile dictu, the reply burst of appreciation of the sacrificial love, like from the missionary is, "No; I am distinctly that of the Saviour, of whose commission these sorry to be compelled to be out of China at this friends from the West have not been ashamed.
time, and only wish I might go back." And many Those who have kept closely in touch with the are going back, most of them invigorated for a events in China since JUly of 1937 have been better service at the end of a regular furlough, deeply impressed with the facts and the implicabut not a few volunteering to abbreviate the nor- tions of a widespread movement, which has been mal furlough in order to rejoin their mission asso- the inevitable consequence of the way in which ciates in the most strenuous, yet most interesting the war has been carried on. Its significance may and rewarding, ministry that China missionaries extend far beyond anything in the thought of have ever seen. Though God, in His wisdom, has either belligerent, and may achieve as beneficent not yet seen fit to "restrain the excess of wrath" a divine purpose as did the dispersion of the first (except in a marvelous preservation of missionary century Christians by the persecutions in Judea. lives), He has, to an almost unbelievable degree, Preceded by terror, accompanied by death .and "caused the wrath of men to praise Him." destruction, and followed by sanguinary "mop- ping-up," the invading armies have scattered the The first impressions of the savagery of the surviving Chinese civilian population in precipi- "undeclared war" were of frightfully wasting de- tate flight, carrying what little was left to them struction and of imminent peril to all missionary in a desperate trek over hundreds of miles of as well as humane interests. There has been no roads and rivers and wastes, as far as possible decrease in the savagery in spite of the protests from the devastating s.courge which had destroyed of a horrified and outraged world, no lessening of their property and taken the lives of countless the destruction and the threats; but, as the relatives, friends and neighbors. months have gone by, "the Form of the Fourth,"
like unto the Son of Man, has appeared in the There has been no respect of persons in this midst of the fire, with the Chinese Church, the hounding of the masses in flight. Men of wealth home Church and the mission, walking triumphant have been reduced to beggary; men of native and through the flames. A Power beyond human com- foreign education have been compelled to straggle • In the September number of The Ohinese Recorder, reprinted in a along the roads with the most ignorant and unlet- AFwmrerEicaas.tern Bulletin of the Foreign Missions Conference of North tered·, all alike have been kept from starving only [567 ]
by the kindness of those as yet undisturbed in a city and town and village to which the invading their homes by the oncoming storm, or through troops may never come. In cities like Shanghai the merciful provision by the Government or by and Nanking, laid waste from the air, the water the Christian Church, of refuges for the desolate. and the land, the hundreds of thousands of home- Entire schools and colleges, whose administration less, hopeless, wounded and sick, have made diffi- has been rendered impossible, or whose buildings cult the task of ministering even to the most acute have been bombed or occupied by the invaders, needs and this work has taxed the strength and have moved to distant provinces in the far in- the resources of Chinese and foreigners alike. In terior, or have combined with others in interna- the northern cities, now for months behind the tional settlements. Much of the culture of the lines of the invaders, tens of thousands have lost coastal provinces and of the great cities has thus all their possessions and must be helped; even in been transplanted to regions formerly considered Peking, which, through early surrender, suffered backward or unenlightened. It has been estimated less destruction than any other captured city, that at least thirty million people have been ren- refugees flee from the rural districts where dered homeless, unsettled from former founda- brigands prowl, as the invader controls little be- tions. And it is a most interesting fact that, from yond the city and the railroads, and soldiers work the beginning of the consequent migration, wise their nefarious wills on the peasantry.
men in the Government and in education foresaw Christians in the Crisis something of its extent and potential meaning and made far-reaching plans for turning the agony So practically throughout China there is des- and the evil to good purpose. Not only has the perate need of material help; and the loving min- Government opened many refuges for the mi- istration to that need, by missionaries and Chris- grants, but it has opened schools in many of these tian Chinese, has aroused hundreds of thousands places and has assisted the homeless wanderers of the suffering people to ask, "Why do these with food and clothing and means of transporta- Christians devote themselves to our relief, wash tion. In the remote west and southwest, where our sores, heal our wounds, feed our bodies and there have been few roads and no railways, mil- instruct our minds? They must surely have some- lions of men have been set to work to construct thing in their hearts which we do not have: what modern roads, while millions more are being is it? They say that they have learned it from trained for various industries, the machinery for Jesus Christ whose followers they are; from the which was early transported from Central and merciful Saviour who, they say, laid down His East China cities. The population of these west- life for us as well as for them." Thus the Gospel ern provinces having been greatly increased, in has found an entrance into many sorely burdened some cases doubled, by the migration from other and bewildered hearts; facilities have been pro- parts of the country, every effort is made to train vided, in Mission compounds. and elsewhere, for the newcomers for self-support through the de- study of the Christian truth and life, and multi- velopment of provincial resources and in the large tudes are being brought into the Kingdom of our variety of new construction called for by their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
presence and by national rehabilitation schemes. As one looks back a little more than a year to Model counties are being organized; model towns, the discussion by the Mission Boards as to the villages and farms are laid out and operated. Mu- reply which should be made to the urgent advice tual helpfulness is being cultivated as an essentiftl of their Governments, and the general, popular concomitant of the new patriotism which has been clamor that the missionaries should all escape the so greatly stimulated by the foreign invasion. peril and simplify the international situation by Spiritual Influences leaving China at once, one does not like to think what vastly different conditions would now exist What is true of educational and industrial cul- in China if those counsels had prevailed and if ture is also emphatically true of spiritual develop- China and her Christians had been left to them- ment. As the Christians of the more fully evan- selves. An unequalled opportunity would have gelized provinces, driven from their homes, have been lost irrevocably to show the love of God in migrated to Kwangsi, Kweichow, Yunnan and Christ to that people, and to win their hearts to Szechuan, where new centers of evangelization Him. So thrilling has been the success of the .
and education are opening, people who had "sat policy of withdrawing only the physically feeble in darkness" are seeing for the first time "a great and of reinforcing the strong, that, from the light." The vast migration of refugees has nat- Chinese Church, from officials, and from the mis- urally necessitated the opening of refuges, tem- sions on the field, has come not only a chorus of porary or permanent, far from the actual war thanksgiving but also a united and importunate areas, for the indiscriminate bombing of civilian call for more missionaries to meet the need and populations has precipitated the flight from many capture the present opportunity. How else could
the Church and the nation hope to minister to have risen most sympathetically to the need and thirty million refugees, among whom are hun- met the opportunity most effectively. Not only dreds of thousands of war orphans? Never be- have many buildings been made available as fore were Chinese hearts and minds so sensitive refuges, but camps. have been set up in many to the redeeming touch of self-denying love, mani- places as "resting places for weary wanderers" in fested in the sharing of suffering and the planning their almost endless treks in search of new, homes.
for better days. It is the general testimony that, Wherever possible, industries have been started in through this deliberately and prayerfully chosen these refuges, both to prevent demoralizing idle- glad sharing, "the prestige of the Church and hos- ness and to fit the migrants for self-support in pital has never stood so high as it stands today" ; their new abodes. Incidentally and Providen- the infinite love of God for mankind has shone tially, among the refugees are hundreds of skilled radiant as the one glorious hope of the world, and artisans. teachers, evangelists, homeless wander- is no longer thought of merely as an item in a ers like the rest. They are drifting to Hunan, and doctrinal system from the West. The loyalty and other regions, "for such a time as this," a time courage of the missionaries, who have "stood by" when the harvest is so unusually great and ripe the people of a strange land through the most and the laborers are so pitifully few, that they acute and devastating sufferings ever inflicted by have found fullest use for their talents and ener- one nation upon another, will never be forgotten. gies. Again, in strangest wise, God has "thrust Civilians and Soldiers forth laborers into His harvest." Most appro- priately has the Hunan Presbyterian Mission en- Christian ministry to civilians in or near their titled its Annual Report, "The War-cloud's Silver own homes has been but a part of the great work Lining," as it sets forth "the calibre of these of deliverance, protection and supply; an exten- guests" from war-torn regions, "trained workers,"
sive organization has been created to help the pen- "whole schools," "hospitals with equipment, niless migrants along the way to their remote des- nurses and doctors," "scientists, engineers, busi- tinations, and none have so inspired confidence ness men, rural experts," undaunted by misfor- and shared burdens as have the Christians. And tune and peril, responsive to need, ready to start great has been the change which has taken place afresh and eager to be useful. The courage of in the mutual relations of Chinese Civilians and many of these migrants is magnificent. A thou- their own soldiery. A few years ago the civilian sand students from three North China colleges, felt no greater dread than that for the Chinese having located temporarily at Changsha, a little soldier, who seemed ready to do almost anything later started out, men and women, to walk the but protect him. Now soldier and civilian are eight hundred miles to Kunming, capital of Yun- united for the defense of the nation, and the nan, to locate their University there.
civilian, realizing that the soldier is ready to suffer Cooperating Agencies wounds and to lay down his life for his country, is responding by doing all in his power to relieve The International Red Cross has furnished the wounded soldier on the field and in transit. much equipment and supplies, with expert direc- And so, by the combined activity of Chinese and tion, to the relief measures, as has also the Inter- foreigners, an elaborate organization for first-aid, national Famine Relief Commission. The League transportation and hospitalization has been cre- of Nations Epidemic Prevention Commission, ated, very inadequate of course in view of the with its groups. of health officers and specialists, limited number of doctors and nurses and the in- in three sections of China, is fighting to prevent sufficiency of supplies and funds, yet saving thou- smallpox, cholera, typhoid and malaria. Young sands of lives and relieving untold suffering. Mis- people are being trained to give first-aid and gen- sion hospitals have been crowded to the doors, and eral medical assistance. Many church services to the floors, as these torn remnants of brave and are crowded with interested newcomers. Chris- patriotic humanity have been carried in from the tian Fellowships are being organized. Student fields and the roads of that horror-filled land, skil- Centers are being opened, for entertainment, for fully patched-up for life, or eased for inevitable varied instruction, and for travelers' aid. Mr.
death with the Gospel message of eternal life in Stanton Lautenschlager, of Cheeloo University, Christ. Many university students have also lent has spent some months in presenting a challenging a hand in humble service in the laundries and message, personal and social, to the students of dressing-stations. Hunan, hundreds of whom have responded with a Few if any of the other provinces have seen as determination to follow Christ. He reports un- much of the migrants as Hunan, as through that precedented student interest in the things of the province pass. many of the natural ways from the Spirit.
east to the west, from the north to the south; and As the writer of the Hunan Report says, "One the Christians of Hunan, Chinese and foreign, of the most beautiful flashes of silver in this
struggle is the attitude of the Christians toward pressure of disinterested kindness, the barriers their enemies." Though more whole-heartedly of racial and national fear and dislike completely patriotic and resolved to win than ever before, thrown down by the courageous, self-forgetful "there is no bitterness or hatred against the in- ministry of a Godlike love, bestowed in the name vaders." Even the missionaries "have marvelled of Christ by men and women come from the other at the Chinese Christians' lack of resentment and side of the world, to live, and if need be to die, freedom from hatred. To listen to their prayers for China. And a multitude of the like-minded for China and for Japan is like standing on holy in the home lands, to whom is denied this privilege ground." This witness regarding Hunan is of personal ministry to such a need, are exulting echoed from all parts of bruised and bleeding in being there in spirit as they avail themselves China. Has the world ever seen its equal in any of one or another of the agencies, which have other land? sprung into life or added this function to others- the International Red Cross, the Committee on the "What a time to be in China!" Truly it is no Far East of the Foreign Missions Conference of time to be there for those whose chief delight is North America, the Church Committee for China in personal ease and comfort, whose slogan is Relief, the China Information Service, China "Safety First"; who cannot bear the sight of Famine Relief, or any of the Mission Boards blood or the smell of sweat, who think the lives of working in China – to give out of their relative a hundred Chinese of less value than the life of abundance for the maintenance of the missionone American; who have no sympathy with the aries and their manifold ministries to China's apspirit which impelled the Son of God to become palling need. "What a time to be in China" inflesh and dwell among us that He might redeem deed, in person or by the proxy of self-denying the world, or with the spirit of the Apostle Paul gifts loyally continued as long as the need of that whose joy was to "become all things to all men fearfully harassed and patiently enduring people that he might by all means save some." But the continues. Is it not, for every Christian and every able-bodied missionaries who are there exult in the unselfish humanitarian, a God-given privilege, as privilege which has been given them of minister- well as a duty, "to be in China" at this time? ing to the world's greatest need, and of watching the shell of indifference break under the steady A LETTER FROM OHINA By DONALD FRASER OF CHANGTE, HONAN: Following complete breakdown of negotiations with the former bitter persecutors of the Church, should have been the active force that liberated our people. It is a marked bandits after their request for $100,000.00 for ransom, contrast to other forces around us. No ransom was given and no conditions asked. things began to happen elsewhere. Kuo Ch'ing, the bandit The fortitude and spirit of the captive young women leader, crossed the Chang River; was surrounded by the under the most trying circumstances is a thrilling story. One of them, a young teacher, said: "I was born in a 8th Route Army, wounded, defeated, his home burned and Christian home but before the raid I cared little for Christianity. This time I have had a wonderful experience many of his followers scattered. He was rescued by of God. Now I want to work for Jesus."
bandit chief supreme, Wang Chih Ch'uan, and fled south. There was joy and thrill in her voice, a changed young woman. There is a glow in the witness of many of them. The 8th Route Army declared that all banditry must cease. When carrying them away the bandits sneered: "So you thought your church could protect you. See, we will look Kou Ch'ing was cornered but slipped through the net. after you."
Wild rumors said that he was going west to Shansi with One seventeen-year-old lassie they tortured cruelly, ask- ing, "Do you still believe?" twenty-three of our Christian people. No ransom, they Gradually she became semi-unconscious but always with would sell the girls! That blackest night our minds were the reply~ "I believe" and the prayer, "Father help me."
filled with unnamed fears. All next day passed and still In sending them back some of the bandit remnants said, "Your prayers have moved Heaven." no word. At 5 p. m. a breathless messenger arrived. Others .said: "You're different; could we come and "Freed," he shouted; "nineteen girls and four men are learn your doctrine?"
coming home." Fly wheels, fly! Our bikes tore up the dust Surely a mighty triumph of good over evil. We are more one with our Chinese friends here than ever before. as we raced out to meet them. Tired and dirty, after Adversity has schooled us all. God has sent the 8th Route Army to check this dastardly scourge that has terrorized three weeks with no washing facilities and only the scanty and bled the country to death for the last ten months. There is great rejoicing over wide areas in the order, reclothes on their backs grabbed out of sleep when they were spect for life and security that is following in the wake of this cleansing, restoring force. After ten months of hell carried away, they were home, alive and smiling and all the relief is tremendous.
well, except for three with malaria and others with blisters from enforced marches. .
The other fourteen had disappeared. The whole country was chaotic. Travel was very dangerous but our men, especially Liu Ch'eng Chang, were tireless in their search.
Monday five came in. But nine young women were still missing. Tuesday 2 a. m., loud knocking on the front gate.
All were back. "Rejoice; a,gain I say rejoice."
The venture was a dead loss financially to the bandits.
Not only that, they were scattered and broken and would have been completely eliminated but for timely aid. It seems strange indeed that the sometimes called reds,
Call of the Dyacks of
By the REV. R. A. JAFFRAY, Dutch East Indies Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance A MONG the Dyacks of Borneo, Buddha is them by way of the Barito River, with Banker- .r. named, Mohammed is named, but Christ is masin as a base. Some effort was also commenced on the west coast, entering by way of the Kapoeas not named. He is almost unknown. What River, but the Methodist Episcopal Mission has a great need for Gospel witness, especially in the now entirely withdrawn from Borneo.
interior of these islands.* On the north coast there are, beside the River Burito which empties into the sea at Banjermasin, The three main ports of British North Borneo five or six other rivers which are gateways to the are Sandakan, Kudat, and J esselton. The mis- interior. At none of these points has missionary sionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the work been attempted. Gospel are laboring here; the Basil Mission has independent self-supporting Chinese churches, Balik-papan is a city of about 21,500 people. and also the Roman Catholics. Work has been The district, of which it is one of the centers, has commenced among the Dyacks, the aboriginal tribes of the interior of British North Borneo. a population of about 200,000.t The city contains The Chinese are largely of the Hakka race and three-fourths of the Chinese inhabitants of Kudat a great mixture of races: Malay, Javanese, Boe- gis, Chinese, Indians, Arabs and also a sprinkling are church members. of Dyacks from the interior. As I walked the In Dutch Borneo there is no Christian mission- streets of this city, I asked: "Is there anyone here who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ?" After ary work carried on on the east coast. The inte- many replies in the negative, I was directed to a rior may be reached from many ports by river. Chinese carpenter's store, and found a Chinese On only one river is there a regular steamship who acknowledged the name of Christian. His line, at Samarinda, but by native craft the mis- face did not look like that of a Christian for his sionary can penetrate the interior and reach "the face was flushed with wine. As ·D. L. Moody once wild men of Borneo." said, "He may have been a Christian but he did not smell like one!" There he was-a lone Chris- The Dyacks, no doubt, originally occupied the tian-in the midst of the darkness of heathendom. entire island but the coming of the Malays, the He had a Bible and prayed sometimes, but could Javanese, Chinese, Indians and Arabs has gradu- not be considered a true witness for the Lord ally pushed the wild men to the interior. The Jesus. Later I met another Chinese who seemed Malays have inter-married somewhat with the to love the Lord but who dared not be baptized aborigines with the result that the Dyacks to this for fear of offending his parents. So far as I extent have been absorbed. It is said that the orig- know, no messenger of Christ has ever lifted up inal pure Dyacks of the interior are decreasing in his voice to preach the Gospel in this place. What population. The Dyacks were originally head- utter darkness! hunters and cannibals, and in some cases may still be such, but the influence of other races has I was anxious to visit Samarinda because it is had the effe~t of subduing and semi.,civilizing at the mouth of the Kutai or Samarinda River and them. On~ qf the original customs '¥f1s that a the main entrance to the interior of Borneo from young man proposing to his bride must have the th~ast coast. Here again 'is another city of darkskull of one whom he himself had slain ere he ness and the same mixture of races. There is a could hope to be accepted. This custom, I am Mohammedan mosque and Chinese temple in told, has nearly died out. Samarinda. There are houses of prostitution and gambling halls on all sides, in full swing. But no There are many different language groups Gospel chapel. I met some Chinese Christians who had been baptized in China, but who seemed among the Dyacks and most of them have Xlever been reached with the Gospel message. From the south coast some effort is being made to reach • I visited Sandakan, on the northeast coast of British BOI:neo; t Balik-papan is the great oil field of the Dutch Indies. The Ballk-papan on the east coast of Dutch Borneo; Samarinda ; Donggala ; Pare-pare and Makassar, the capital of the Celebes; installation of the Batavia Petroleum Company, the Royal Dutch Siagaradja, a port on the Island of Bali; SurabaYa on the northern Shell Petroleum Company, a branch of the Asiatic Petroleum Co., coast of Java, the largest commercial center of the Dutch Indies; is the largest oil Installation in the Far East. All the all con- sumed throughout the Far East comes from the Balik-papan wells. Bangdang and Batavia, the capital of the Dutch Indies, [571 ]
to have backslidden. In one store where I was tion is located in the port cities. The entire east telling the people about the Lord Jesus Christ, coast is without missionary work, and the Methone said in a loud voice, "God only blows the wind odist Episcopal Mission has evacuated the west on us to make us catch a cold." coast. The entire south coast is also unoccupied with the exception of Banjermasin and the work Four other rivers farther north are also gate- done by the Basil Mission and the Dutch State ways to the interior. The Kutai is navigable by Church up the Barito River. small steamer for ten days as far as Long-Iram, and by native craft for many days farther up. Dr. Slotemaker de Bruine, the missionary con- The Roman Catholic Church has a mission three sul of the Dutch missions encouraged us to occudays inland from Long-Iram at Lahan, where py some of the unoccupied areas of the Dutch priests and nuns are teaching the people farm- East Indies. We recommend the following fields ing, trades, and so forth. All the other rivers where no work is being done: from the east coast, save the Kutai, are, I fear, only navigable by native craft. A Dutch official 1. The entire east coast of Borneo, with Samarinda and traveled up one of these rivers, ascending terrible other places as centers. and dangerous rapids for seventy-five days, and came down the river, covering the same distance, 2. The west coast, with Pontianak and other places as in ten days. While I was trying to tell them of centers. The object would be to reach "the wild men of His love and of the sacrifice for our sins on the Borneo," the Dyack race of the interior. cross, and feeling the opposition very strong, an elderly Chinese lady came from the rear of the 3. The Boegis people on the coast of the Celebes, and store and said: "I once neard of Jesus when I the wild races of the interior, with Makassar as a center. was in China. I don't know much about it, but I know this-Jesus is good, Jesus is good." She 4. The whole southwestern coast of Sumatra. repeated this several times. I left Gospel tracts 5. A large number of smaller islands in the East Indies at many stores in Samarinda. where no Gospel witness has yet been given.
The population of Dutch Bornea is about 1,800,- If the Gospel does not soon enter these fields, 000. Perhaps one half or more of this popula- the influence of Mohammedanism~ which is spread- ing rapidly, will soon be such as to form a most effective barrier to the progress of Christianity. The fact that Mohammedanism is rapidly displac- ing paganism makes the evangelization of these fields urgent.
A Missionary Is Converted By EDITH FUESS HENRY, Shanghai American School, Shanghai, China I T IS homecoming for a missionary! She pauses of overwhelming facts around which sat commit- outside the compound wall to pound the door; tees, numb and dumb-nor power, nor wisdom, in the wait she turns to look back. The road nor means to cope with such; the paralyzing tales by which she has come has been a long, long road; of sorrow, pain, loss, destruction, poured from the it stretches back over eleven months in life's lips of arrivals fresh from battlefields; the feldeepest depths. In those few moments of time a lowship groups where gripping testimonies from panoramic view of never-to-be-forgotten days tear-stained eyes, quivering lips, and crushed passes before her eyes: days on days, and weeks hearts, yet dauntless spirits, could say, "I am on weeks of the ceasless roar of cannon, the pierc- bent, but not broken." . . . ing whistle of bullets, the deafening whirr of planes, the violent bursting of bombs; the heart- The gate opened! Can this be home! The shatsickening sight of scattered, mangled, bleeding, tered roof; the battered walls; the broken doors; human flesh, shrieking and groaning its prayers the empty rooms; the wild weeds; can this be to heaven; the endless lines of terrorized men, home? The home that twenty years ago in a women, and children madly fighting their way to spirit of love and dedication was built in this land safety zones; the great concentration camps of of China that He might have an abiding place hungry, filthy, frightened human beings waiting from which to reach out arms of loving ministry for the ministry of human hearts and hands; the to needy ones around? Can this be home? scurry, hurry, worry of channeling bean milk to the thousands of starving little ones; the fright- "We must begin and build again; build again ful days and nights in losing battle with epidemics the things that are gone." that stalked with relentless step among the masses, taking their fearful toll of life; the tables A house? Can one live again in the shelter of four walls, when so many thousands know only God's earth for a floor, and His sky for a roof?
A piano? Dare one make melody in his own
DR. IMAD-UD-DIN-A CONVERT FROM ISLAM
chamber when the teeming millions of this land Rugs? Can one with pleasure walk the path of hear only the rhythm of guns and bursting cushioned ways, when he sees the tracks where bombs? bruised feet have trod on rugged stones? . . .
Beds? Were it not better to companion those A stir: the neighbors, the friends, the Oriental who like the Master have not where to lay their crowds are standing by in silent commiseration. heads? "I can not see; I do not know; yet deep within Refrigerator? Why preserve food, unless one the silence of my soul there is peace. Old things can find a way to preserve for mankind love, have passed away; all things are become new. kindness, brotherliness, and peace? And I; am I not new?"
Dr. Imad–ud–din-A Convert from Islam* "BY REVEALING the Word of God I have found enjoyment in life. I rejoice greatly there was no peace in his heart. "Whatever af- in my Lord, and my soul is always making flictions or pain it is in the power of man to enprogress in his grace."-Imad-ud-din. dure, I submitted to them all, and suffered them to the last degree; but nothing became manifest The Moslem community, well organized and to me after all, except that it was all deceit." disciplined, with memories of centuries of conquest and domination, has been very stern in its At this time he was appointed to preach the resistance to foreign influences. And yet there Koran in the large Mosque at Agra with a view to were a number of important conversions among opposing the Christian missionaries and for three them in the first half of the nineteenth century as years he exponded the Moslem commentaries and a result of the earnest and vigorous work carried traditions. It was there he was perplexed most in on by Christian missions in Northern India. Even his faith and the thought of utterly renouncing the men of high social standing gave their hearts to world came into his mind with so much power that Jesus. he could not resist. He became a wandering fakir, going from village to village without plan or bag- Maulvi Imad-ud-din was a lineal descendent of gage. He was honored as a very pious soul but a famous Moslem saint, Gutale Jamal, and a de- none could know the uneasiness in his mind when scendent of the Royal House of Persia, famous as he thought of the Judgment Day.
champions of Islam. He was born in 1822 at Pani- He heard of the conversion of Maulvi Safdar pet, India, the youngest of four brothers. Much Ali at Jubbulpore and this put into his heart a care was bestowed upon him in imparting a thor- new hope so that he began an earnest study of the ough knowledge of Islamic law and religion. He New Testament. As he went on studying, a new studied at the Government College at Agra. This unspeakable joy came into his mind and he found education stirred in him a thirst after the knowl- solace in Jesus Christ. Afterwards he went to edge of the unseen. He visited fakirs and pious Amritsar and received baptism at the age of sixty- Moslems, frequented mosques and homes of maul- four, from Rev. Robert Clark of the Church Misvies, and carried on a vigorous study of many sionary Society. books on Islam. He wrote: "Since my entrance into the grace But he was assailed with doubts and perplex- of our Lord Jesus Christ, I have had great peace ities and his contact with Christians led him to in my soul. The agitation of m~,mind and restdoubt the Islamic injunctions and accepted prac;!- lessness have entirely left me. ETen my health is tices. He had some discussion with Maulvi Abd,ul improved, for my mind is never perplexed now." Hakim who could not convince him so that he once for all gave up the idea of disputation. He He became a zealous preacher of the Gospel began to acquire knowledge by reading night and and wrote many books, vindiCating the way of day, with the idea that time spent in its pursuit Christ to his Islamic brethren. One of these was given to the worship of God. books, called the Tahquiq-ul Iman (the Investiga- tion of the True Faith), was written for the He submitted his body to severe tests, by living maulvies who could not see their way to follow the apart from men, keeping awake at nights and by Crucified Christ. He was ordained in 1866 and various penances. He sat on the graves of holy the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred on him men with the hope that he might receive some the degree of D.D. in 1884. He died at Amritsar revelations from the tombs. But he says that on August 2'8, 1900, at the age of seventy-:eight after seeing his father and brother confess Christ. • Adopted from The National Missionary IntelZigencer of India.
Christian Sadhus and
By W. Q. LASH, Acharya in the Christa Prima Seva Sangha, Poona, India D ECEMBER 18th, 1904, is the date of the from place to place, on foot or by more rapid conversion of Sundar Singh, whose name means of locomotion, and are given opportunities has made the Western Hemisphere famil- in each place according to their reputations. iar with the idea of the Christian sadhu. In his Sadhus of this kind are in the minority. The life own country also he turned the thoughts of In- is full of temptations. It requires. a man of deep dians and others to the possibility of revealing humility and rare spiritual qualities to sustain Christ in ways well suited to the setting of East- them unscathed. Too many lack sufficient selfern life. Sundar Singh was neither the first nor discipline, and do not easily accept discipline from the only one to attempt such a method. He helped without. to bring to light the Secret Sannyassi Mission, which for generations. had hiddenly followed a The lack of any kind of discipline is the greatsimilar path. Dr. Pennell of Bannu and Tucker est weakness and danger of the solitary Sadhu's Booth of the Salvation Army had· made independ- life. In the Panjab, Sundar Singh's own province, ent experiments, and Sundar Singh himself came the problem is especially acute. The executors of into touch with the American follower of St. his will have made some attempt both to organize Francis, Samuel Stokes. Centuries before, in the sadhus already practicing, and to use the South India, Robert Nobile had proved the ef- funds he has left to give some training to those ficacy of presenting Christ and His message in an who feel a calling to this way of life. It was the Eastern garment. ambition of the late Canon Chandu Lal to form an Ashram at Sundar Singh's home in Sabathu, It is, however, a unique place that Sadhu to be a rallying place for the wanderers, and to Sundar Singh holds towards the methods of the help give them spiritual and mental nourishment Christian Sadhu and the Christian Ashram. His and discipline. To do so has not proved easy. influence on both has been indirect rather than Sadhu life tends to exaggerate individualism. Exdirect. In his lifetime he refused to allow a group cept in rare cases, we come to the conclusion that of disciples to gather round him and to train them the sadhu, who is unwilling to be linked with othin the way which he followed so successfully. ers under some kind of control, loses more and Disciples he has had, and even now has, nine more control over himself. In spite of the many years after his disappearance; but they are not attractions of this method of presenting the Gosall 'Sundar Singhs." They create problems for pel this way of life may prove more a liability themselves and for the Church at large, which than an asset to the Church. might have been less, if he had handed on his tradition to a company, trained by himself, and set- The Indian Ashram* is a means through which ting a standard for others. Yet his plea that his- the same inspiration may find expression. During tory has shown that organizations tend to decay the last twenty years or so many experiments after the death of their founders cannot be ig- have taken to themselves the name of "ashram." nored, and perhaps he was wise to found nothing. It is not always easy to discover what they have in common. Each is an attempt to come closer to Sadhu Sundar Singh's life is well known. It is the life of the country and to break down barnow nine years since he vanished into the Tibetan tiers, which have become increasingly serious in hills for the last time. A crop of Christian Sadhus 6ays of growing nationalism. Each has aimed has resulted, amongst them men of high mental also at a greater simplification of modes of living, and spiritual qualities, who have to their credit and a greater emphasis on the importance of much fine work as prophets of the Church. Such prayer in relation to the active side of Christian men are accorded great respect among Indians, ministry. Beyond this it is difficult to select the both Christian and non-Christian. They travel common features. Some Ashrams are only sea- sonal, being hardly other than summer schools of Footnote: The term Ashram denotes both the four normal stages asosmpeecrinaal ktyepme.arArimedonmgetmhebepresrmthaenneunct lseeutstl;emotehnetrss, of a Hindu's life, and the forest or mountain retreat to which the insist on single men or women; others have no Hindu went when the calling came to a life of meditation. In ancient days boys were sent to Ashram for spiritual training. In modern ~:y:h:a~r::::dlr:t~g:.1 and Tagore have added the Ideal of service [574 ] clear policy on this point. Equally diverse are the completed a few years ago what must be the finest environments which have been chosen; some are place of Christian worship in an Indian style of in remote jungles; others in country districts; architecture. It is a magnificent Jebalyam (chapothers in towns. el), with a walled garden surrounding it which is also used for prayer. Its architecture is that of a Three of the earliest Ashrams were permanent Hindu temple of South India. Increasingly, in settlements. In Travancore members of the this Ashram, the vocation to prayer and worship has claimed precedence over all other forms of CHRISTAKULA TIRUPATTUR ASHRAM HALL OF WORSHIP service. From time to time young men and others use the Ashram for periods of retreat or for Orthodox Syrian Church, the oldest Christian courses of training in service. Its influence is Church in India, formed an Ashram under the wide in South India; the membership is undeleadership of their energetic bishop. Two Ash- nominational, but the members adhere strictly to rams in reality were formed, one for men and one the principle of brahmacharya, or celibacy. for women. This was an Indian enterprise, as this Church is entirely Indian. It was an attempt A third experiment was made at about the to bring the ideal of community life into the same time, as the Bethany Ashram in Travancore, Syrian Church, which had already been for cen- when the Christakula Ashram at Tirupattur came turies familiar with the rampan, or solitary monk, into existence. This was the foundation of the but. had not developed the practice of a life of Christa Seva Sangha in the village area of Ahprayer among those living together. The location mednagar, in Mahar~shtra. During its early of the Ashrams was a beautiful wooded and hilly years its membership consisted of one Englishdistrict' in the interior of the State of Travancore. man and several Indian village Christians. There For several years these Ashrams brought great were married and unmarried within its fellowinspiration to their Church, and beyond it. Then ship. The members lived entirely in Indian style, its founder seceded to Rome, taking the sisters and sought to find natural Indian expressions in with him. A number of the men continued faith- Christian worship. As the Christakula has been fully under Fr. Alexios in spite of great difficul- helped by the rich store of Christian Tamil lyrics, ties. After resisting pressure for ten years he so the Christa Seva Sangha was fortunate in the was consecrated bishop this year, but continues to fact that the leader of the modern school of live in the Ashram and to give as much time to Marathi poetry, N. V. Tilak, was a Christian. it as he can. A number of other Ashrams have The idea was to form a nucleus of married memcome into existence in the Syrian Church, both bers with a band of sanyassis, who would go out for men and women. – . – _ . .-.. . .. About the same time two doctors, one an Indian and the other a Scotchman, felt a call to found an Copyrright by (Jh(JIrZes Petrasoh Ashram. This they did at Tirupattur in South India. The way of life is entirely Indian, and a INTERIOR OF THE ASHRAM CHAPEL number of young men have joined from time to time as volunteers. Until recently they were the in the manner of sadhus and return to the center only two permanent members. As was natural, for fresh inspiration. After about five years a with two men of their profession, the ideal of group of young men came out from England, service took a great place in the life. A hospital whose ideal was to be members of a community is attached to it. Other activities in the form of after the manner of St. Francis of Assisi. An schools and agricultural experiments. also serve the rural population. In this Ashram there was
Ashram was established in the intellectual center of workers from the jungle districts and carry of Poona, but the attempt to combine the idea of out devoted service to the simple peoples of the the original group with that of this later recruit- forest. The books of the founder, Verrier Elwin, ment led to difficulties. Hence in 1934, when the have done much to bring them to the notice of an original founder left the society it was divided unheeding world. into two groups. Maharashtran village Christians The Christa Sishya Ashram was open,ed a few POOL AND THE "CLOISTER" WHERE THE BROTHERS LIVE years ago in a village area, not far from the in- dustrial town of Coimbatore, South India. Its now continue a life akin to the earlier idea at a members are Syrian and Anglican. It is remarkvillage four miles from Poona, under the old able as one, if not the only, piece of work for othname. Meanwhile the Poona Ashram has become ers carried on by members of the Orthodox secthe headquarters of a community of Indians and tion of the Syrian Church, outside Travancore. Englishmen on the lines of a community. The impact of Christians, who are not the prod- uct of Western missions but can trace their own The Poona Ashram has now the name of history as Christians into remote days of our era, Christa Prema Seva Sangha. The buildings are on non-Christians is most interesting. The Ashsimple, and are arranged to concentrate the life ram regards the married state as normal for its inward. There is a chapel built in Hindu style, members. and,adorned by pictures painted by an Indian art;. ist, trained in the Bengal school. The emphasis Among the seasonal Ashrams the first to be is laid on the life of prayer; the evening and ear- founded, and the best 'known, is that of Sat Tal, ly morning are kept in strict silence to create an founded by Dr. E. Stanley Jones in North India. atmosphere of quiet. Time is devoted also to study To this beautiful spot, year by year in the hot and to active service. One of the chief tasks of weather, groups of Westerners and Indians come the Ashram is to build up a natural Christian life together for periods of spiritual and intellectual in an Indian setting, into· which others may also refreshment. Non-Christians sometimes attend. be brought whether Christian or non-Christians. Of late years, in Lucknow, the nucleus of the Sat Educated converts are frequently sent here from Tal Ashram has attempted to form a more permadifferent parts of India. There is a hostel on the nent Ashram life. It is too early yet to discern the same compound, and lectures' are given in a hall exact shape this group will finally assume. attached to the Ashram. Various works of social service, or Christian ministry, are carried out by An Ashram similar to the Sat Tal has come inmembers in the town and the Presidency, Bom- to existence at Kadoaikanal and does for South bay. Recently a branch has been founded in a India what the former does for the North. Such rural area about 150 miles north of Poona. seasonal meetings playa great part in drawing Among other permanent Ashram settlements CHRISTAKULA AT TIRUPATTUR STRUCTURE OF two of the most interesting are the Bhumjan Seva THE JEBALYAM MandaI and the Christa Sishya. The former has been founded by two former members of the Poona Ashram, among the aboriginal tribes of the jungles of the Central provinces. These Christians have gathered around them a varied group
INDIAN CHRISTIAN SADHUS AND ASHRAMS
together Westerne:rs and Indians, and help to demand for equal partnership to one of full conbreak down barriers which all too easily tend to trol. The Ashram movement has clearly an imform in ordinary mission work. They also make portant task in meeting this present situation. It their contribution in discovering and disseminat- must be Temembered that it has influence far being Indian ways of approach to the Christian yond the Ashram walls. The Christakula has faith and practice, and bring into fellowship "friends" out in the world. The Christa Prema Seva Sangha has a Third Order after the manner ASHRAM SCHOOL, VILLAGE CHILDREN AND TEACHER of the Franciscans, whose members in the several parts of India are full members of the society Christians from various backgrounds and schools with the brothers and share in its government. of thought. Similarly each Ashram has a circle more or less closely attached. Thus the ideals can penetrate It would be impossible to speak of all the Ash- the Church, and this movement is further helped rams which have come into existence, and are be- by such periodicals as The Ashram Review. ing added to year by year. Enough has been said to indicate different types of experiment, of which Yet there may be an even more important part several other examples could be quoted. There for the movement to play in the future. Chrisremains to consider the importance of this move- tianity is a supra-national religion. Great harm ment in India, for the present and the future. The will be done if Indian Christians attempt in their Ashrams have come into existence largely owing reaction to become isolated from the rest of their to a sense that India may rightly expect that a fellows. In the future the ideal of equality of religion, which was born in Asia, should reveal Easterner with Westerner, which has inspired the Eastern characteristics, and in answer to the pioneers, may turn to that of equality of Westtaunt that it is a foreign religion from the West. erner with Easterner. Thus the Ashrams will be- Every day it becomes of increasing importance come the channel of the riches of all Christendom that Christianity in India should be Indian. The being mediated to the Indian Church in a form Indian Government not only makes non-Chris- in which it can assimilate them. Some hope the tians contemptuous of anything not of the coun- Ashrams may become the much-needed homes of try, but affects the Christians themselves. They Indian scholarship and theology. resent any sign of dominance on the part of Western missionaries, and will swiftly :pass from a Finally, the discerning expect that, in spite of the present continuance of Mass Movements in some parts of India, a Dark Age awaits the Church in India in the not distant future. During such a period, institutions, whose primary task is to lay stress on the priority of prayer and worship over activity, will form valuable rallying points for the preservation and building up of the inner life of the Church, even as monasteries did in the Dark Ages of Europe. Their true worth will be proved when the day dawns for renewed expansion of God's Kingdom through Christ's Church.
THE PRIEST'S SON'S TESTIMONY Nungan, an outcaste boy of India, whose father baptized? Are you willing? It will mean that he is a village priest, has always been eager to hear must give up his idol worship and have nothing Bible stories. For years Nungan went with his to do with the heathen ceremonies or with idols." father to the temple and watched him perform the rites, offering to the idols many a buffalo, The father replied, "He has given that up long goat and chicken. Never for a moment did he ago. He won't come near the temple, and refuses think it wrong until he heard the Gospel of to eat or partake of anything offered to the idols. Christ. One morning Nungan came to the mis- He says he is not going to worship demons but only sionary and said: "Ammal, I want my name the Jesus God. You can baptize him if you wish." changed," (meaning he wanted to become a Christian). Weeks later he asked me again. While the father was standing there I asked Nungan what the Lord Jesus had done for him. Not long after this he came again up to me, Without waiting he said, "The Lord Jesus died and pathetically said: "Ammal, won't you let me for me on the Cross. I believe that and He is come?" now in my heart." He was entered upon the list of candidates for baptism. A few weeks ago At that moment his father came along and I Nungan had his heart's desire fulfilled and he took asked: "Do you know your boy wants to be the name David."-Darkness and Light.
is the Koran?
By REV. E. E. ELDER, Meshed, Iran Missionary oj the Presbyterian Church, U. s. A.
To UNDERSTAND the religious life of the nated "The Heifer" because it gives the command millions who follow the M.oslem faith one of M.oses to sacrifice a red heifer (Deut. 22: 1-9). must kn.ow something of their sacred book. The fifth sura is called "The Table" from a ref- Although the K.oran is not mentioned in their brief erence made to a festival table sent down to Jesus statement of belief: "There is no god but Allah from heaven. This is only one of the many sub- and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah," Mos- jects discussed in that chapter which, before it is lems recognize the Koran as the Message of that a third through, has listed lawful foods and meats, Messenger. prescribed regulations for ablutions before prayer, No tW.o sacred books in the world have S.o much recalled Allah's covenant with Israel, warned in common as the Bible and the Koran. Both Christians of infidelity and retold the story of mention the creation of Adam and Eve and their Cain and Abel's offerings.
expulsion from the Garden, the flood, the faithful M.ost of the earliest suras are short and appear witness .of Noah and the promise to Abraham that at the close of the Koran. They were delivered he should have a son in his old age. The chapter by Mohammed at Mecca. The style is rhythmic, in the Koran entitled "Joseph" gives over three- but the staccato sentences are not strictly in score facts about his life which agree with the metre. These set forth such subjects as the unity story told in Genesis. From different chapters of Allah, the signs of his greatness and the cer- one may glean many details as to the life of Moses, tainty of judgment .on the unrighteous. Later in his sojourn in Midian, his mission to Phara.oh and Mohammed's career an appeal was made to his- the exodus of Israel from Egypt. The Koran also tory and many of the sections at the beginning contains a record of the tables of the Law, the and middle of the Koran tell and retell the stories episode of the calf, the manna, the quails and .of the prophets to illustrate Allah's guidance. At water from a rock. Space does not permit a Medina when the prophet became the head of a record .of all that is told .of David and Solomon, warring community the revelations took the form Aaron and Miriam, Cain and Abel, Lot and Zech- of legislation f.or peace and war, inheritance laws ariah. From scattered verses in the Koran one and regulations of religious ceremony. The sen- may learn that Jesus was the son of Mary, the tences now become involved; the rhythm is .often Word of Allah, the Spirit from Allah and the Mes- stilted and artificial. siah, and that he healed the blind and the lepers Each sura is made up of verses or ayas (signs and brought back the dead to life. But with all or miracles). This term suggests the fundamental this material in common, the Bible and the Koran conception of the book as a collection of wonderare in sharp contrast as to message, arrangement ful phra'ses and sentences. Another division of and theory of authorship. the Koran into parts cuts right across the chapter The K.oran speaks little of the "lostness" of arrangement. There are thirty equal portions man; there is great emphasis on the saying of which facilitate the recitation of the whole book prayers and the payment of alms by believers. during the month of Ramadan – the month of The red thread of sacrifice which runs through fasting by day and feasting by night.
the Bible is lacking in the Koran. Protestants, in their contacts with Moslems, The Koran, although almost as large as the New often assume that their scriptures are for them Testament, is not divided into integrated sections "the only rule of faith and practice." Alongside dealing with history, doctrine or prophecy. There the Koran there are other foundations UP.on which is little logical or chronological sequence in its religion is built; there is Tradition, what the arrangement. It consists of 114 suras (or chap- Prophet taught, practised and approved; there is ters) which vary in length from one almost as the Agreement of the Moslem community; and long as the epistle to the R.omans to some which, there is the use of reason in Analogy. All these in the Arabic text, take but three or four lines. have their place in the commentaries; all of them Each chapter has a special name referring to some have been resorted to in the making of canon law.
subject menti.oned therein. The longest is desig- Yet for the pious Moslem the Koran is the [578 ] source of all science and every kind of knowledge. forgery. Instead of simple narrative about Jesus Does it not say that it is, "a detailed account of he expects. to find God's words to Jesus. The Sereverything" (12: 111) and that in it "nothing is mon on the Mount appears to most followers of neglected" (6: 38)? When in Egypt Napoleon Mohammed to be like some of his sayings reasked the learned sheikhs whether this included corded in the traditions. the formula for making gunpowder. They replied that it did, but admitted that not every reader Another thing about the Koran that strikes the would know how to find it. Only a few years ago the representative of Egypt at the Oriental Con- non-Moslem reader is its constant reference to gress at Oxford said that those who pursue a deep study of the Koran do not fail to find there some itself. Mohammed believed that he had a message reference to the latest inventions or an explana- to deliver and that this message was contained in tion of some scientific points which have been ob- a book. Other peoples had their holy books in scure. He then proceeded to quote verses that for their own tongues. Through him the Arabs were him showed that the earth had been flung off from to receive a book in their own language. "Verily the sun and prophesied that man had the power we have revealed it: an Arabic Koran that ye to fly. may understand." The Koran is self-conscious. One dominant note repeated throughout relate to Authors of the Bible and Koran the book itself; yet during the life time of the Prophet no attempt was made to gather the "rev- There is a sharp contrast between the Bible and elations" into a volume. It did not receive its the Koran in the time occupied in their composi- present form until one of the Khalifas, or succestion. One represents less than a generation, the sors of the prophet as head of the state, realized other over fifteen hundred years. At least thirty that the oral record, treasured in the hearts of individuals contributed to the text of our Bible, men and in the few scattered written fragments, whereas Islam holds that Mohammed was the sole were futile to survive the ravages of war and human medium for the Koran. Christians believe time. An authorized edition was finally made by that the writers of the Bible interpreted God Zaid ibn Thabit who had been one of the Prophet's through their personalities as they wrote. Dif- principal scribes. All other editions were supferent times and different environments called for posed to be .destroyed. Some years ago Dr. men with different gifts. In Islam revelation and Mingana, of the Rylands Library in England, inspiration tend to merge into one another. To aroused considerable interest when he brought the Moslem's way of thinking the Koran is in no back from the east a manuscript which contained way connected with the genius of Mohammed. a version considerably different from the present text. Moslem critical works on the Koran give Some years ago a prominent Christian was ad- various readings that run into the thousands. Aldressing an audience in Cairo, and thinking to though the book is of comparatively recent date, clinch his argument he quoted from the Koran. when contrasted with other holy books, perhaps He prefixed his statement with the words, "Your no other has more variant readings. Are there prophet says." When the Moslem hearers real- verses left out that should have been included? ized that he referred to the Koran, there was a The Shiahs of Iran, who hold the preeminence of storm of protest, not only because the words were Ali among Mohammed's companions, hold that not given verbatim, but also because the foreigner some verses substantiating their claim have been had ascribed the words of the book to Mohammed. suppressed. Sura thirty today contains only sev- enty-odd verses; there is a tradition that it once In spite of this mechanical theory of inspira- contained two hundred. There is little wonder tion, native stories are given in the "Traditions" then that Umar advised, "Say not I possess the which reveal something of the process by which whole Koran, but of it what is extant." the Koran developed. One day Mohammed was dictating to his amanuensis, Abdallah ibn Saad, In spite ,of the references to the Torah and Injil something regarding the creation of man. When (Gospel) as being authoritative for their peoples, he paused Abdallah said in wonder, "Blessed Moslems today usually hold that the Koran has therefore be Allah, the best of Creators." The superseded the Law and the Gospels of the Bible. prophet was so taken with the words that he said, This is not surprising when certain verses in the "Write that down, for so it has descended." The Koran itself have been abrogated by other verses. story continues that the scribe wondered whether The text remains but a later saying has taken revelation from Allah had not also descended on away its force. The Koran provides for this by him. But such tales do not destroy the dictation saying: "Whatever verse we may annul or cause theory of the Koran. It is held to be wholly a thee to forget, we will bring a better one than it, collection of sayings coming to Mohammed from or one like it; dost thou not know that Allah is the Angel Gabriel, so that the Moslem, when he mighty over all?" first reads the Christian Gospels, rejects them as a At the same time I,slam holds that the Koran
is the replica of a Heavenly Book, written on a ers on the Arabic professional stage. The measpreserved or well-guarded tablet, sent down on uredcadences of the book have so woven themthe Night of Destiny and dictated to Mohammed selves into the life and worship and literature of piecemeal by the Angel Gabriel. In spite of the Moslem peoples that they are the expression of historical evidence for a great variety of readings their deepest emotions, sorrow and joy, anger and and the great part played by scribes in collating love, prayer and praise. the material, together with the possible omission of what was originally from Mohammed and the The percentage of literacy is low in many Mosinclusion of portions suggested by others, never- lem lands and that has increased the use of the theless orthodox Islam holds that the Koran is the Koran as a magical force. A minute edition is uncreated speech of Allah. Westerners may fail sometimes used as an amulet and worn about the to see the soundness of such arguments, but the neck or on the arm. The recitation of certain Moslem theologian, with his use of dialectic, an- verses is believed to make evil spirits flee in terswers that all the varied readings are given in the ror. Quotations are used as a means of divina- Preserved Tablet. He can even argue that, far tion. In lands where Arabic is not understood from detracting from the glory of the Koran, they the power of the Koran must often be thought of add to its glory. as magic. To the learned Mullahs any translation of the Koran from the sacred Arabic has seemed Although commentators admit that the perspic- a sacrilege. Turkey has now, however, issued an uous book contains obscure ambiguous passages, edition in Turkish in Latin characters. The reliit is held to be the miracle of the ages.. To millions gious leaders of Egypt finally admitted the possi~ who follow the religion.of Is'lam its claim is in- bility of an interlinear translation which would be violate. "Verily if men and jinns were assembled in their eyes a commentary on the sacred text. together with a purpose of producing this (book) they could not do it, even though they helped one With the invasion of Western civilization and another." Christian teaching into the world of Islam a chal- lenge has come to the power of the Koran. Even Influence of the Koran in the desert one finds that in practical life there are more real forces in a Moslem's life than the Few Christians appreciate the .hold that the sacred book Jarvis, in "Yesterday and Today in Koran has on adherents of the Moslem faith. In Sinai," tells us that the Arab will cheerfully give Arabic-speaking lands it is still the golden treas- false evidence on the Koran, and that in the Libury for examples of grammatical constructions, yan Desert if you want the truth you must get rhetoric and literature. Throughout Egypt stu- your man to make his oath at some sheikh's tomb; dents in elementary, primary and secondary in Sinai you must resort to trial by ordeal, which schools are required to memorize selected por- consists in licking a white-hot iron. Yet the edutions. Illuminated texts, in elaborate styles of cated classes among Moslems, who admit they penmanship, take the place of pictures and wall know little of the contents of their sacred book, decorations. Over the radio professional readers reverence it and say with one of the modern daily recite portions from it. The poverty- writers, "from the point of style alone, it is nothstricken beggars who ask for alms chant passages ing less than a miracle, as great a miracle as ever from the sacred volume. Rarely does a Christian was wrought." Time alone will show whether it ,preacher receive a fifth of the salary obtained by can stand translation, whether it will go down befavorites of the theatre or Hollywood studios, but fore changing ethics, and with what resistance it I have been told that the best professional reciters may confront the Living Word of God. of the Koran are as well paid as the best perform- NOW WHAT SHALL I DO?
We held our communion service at the soldier's camp, in two languages and I could not understand all of the dialects. We had put Itola's baptism off until the next communion for she had been "following afar off." She tried to speak to me several times, but the Buluba- speaking Christians crowded her out. We had not been able to check the communicants at this soldier's camp, as we usually check our outstation Christians before communion and not until after the service did Itola get a chance to speak with me. In great distress she cried out, through an interpreter: "I took the bread and wine before I was baptized and now they say I shall die. Now what shall I do?" I told the interpreter to explain to her that God would not hold her accountable if her heart was right. "Be punctual at the Inquirer's Class," I said, "and when I return, you shall be baptized." PLUMER SMITH, Mutoto, Congo Belge.
Privilege of Preaching to
-<tEf I By STEPHEN KHOOBYAR, Tabriz, Iran 115–·- THERE is probably no harder task in the of sin against God and our fellowmen and against efforts to advance the Kingdom of Christ oneself; on the other hand the teachings of Islam than the winning of Mohammedans, but these look upon sin in a very light way and even excuse difficulties are well known. The disappointments or condone the things which separate man from experienced are sometimes such that only the God in this world and the next. hope of Christ can keep one from pessimism. It is a great sorrow to see those who have confessed Christ not only shows sin in its true light but Christ fall away, but at the same time there is offers the one and only remedy for sin. In Islam real joy in preaching Christ to Moslems, when the fundamental idea concerning sin seems to be a man has been called of God. When we see Mos- that a man may make up for evil deeds by doing lems believe on Christ so that they are born into something that is good, like prayers or pilgrimage the Kingdom we are as certain to have joy in our or the giving of alms. In the faith of Christ the hearts as a rose is to have perfume. remedy for sin is supplied by God Himself; in Islam the only remedies offered are man-made It is a great privilege to be called to serve Christ works. and to share in the work that is dearest to the heart of God. David Livingstone is said to have Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has revealed the remarked that in all his toils and dangers there truth that God is our Father. Through Christ we was one thing which gave him greater comfort may approach God. To Islam the title of Father, than all else; it was the word of Christ, "I am as applied to God, is blasphemy and is almost withwith you always." In preaching to Mohamme-. out exception understood by Moslems in a carnal dans we should never feel lonely with such a way. Though the Koran says that God is as near Presence to sustain us. as the jugular vein, yet in actual practice the whole system of Islam makes Him appear like a power- It is also a joy to explain the Word of God to ful tyrant who cannot be approached. What a those who have no true message from their Cre- blessing to come to our heavenly Father through Christ, our Elder Brother! ator. It is wonderful to go from shop to shop, from house to house, from city to city as the In Christ we have a personality that is unique. bearer of Glad Tidings, an apostle of the Word of How far from anything that Islam has to offer God. If we do not preach to Moslems we are like are the love, forgiveness, mercy, service and selfthe brothers of Joseph who sat down to eat bread sacrifice of our Master. What a marvelous joy while their brother lay bound and in the pit. How to be able to point to such an example. But can we be happy while we leave our brothers Christ is far more than an example – He is the bound and in darkness? Christ is the only One One who atones for sin, the Mediator of the New who can fulfill every longing of the deepest spirit Covenant that reconciles those who were at enof Islam. mity with God, making peace through His Cross.
Our souls are also happy because in preaching a In these great offices Christ is unique; Islam has to Mohammedans we are fulfilling the command nothing like it. What a joy to present such of Christ. When He sent out the twelve and the Saviour to a Moslem and to proclaim His words, seventy they went on their errand with joy in "I am the way, the truth, and the life." "Come their hearts. The Apostle Paul could not remain silent after he had seen Christ, but found his joy unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
where we find ours in helping to carry the Gospel Christians have also the matchless blessing of to every nation and tribe. the help of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them and to cleanse from sin. Islam teaches how The Wonderful Message ceremonially to clean hands and feet before prayers, but only Christ shows how to purify the There is joy in the Christian mes'Sage that can- heart. A few years ago, I was speaking in the not be found in Islam. It is a mess.age that per- waiting room of a mission dispensary on the verse, fectly meets the deepest need of our Moslem brothers. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see The New Testament sets forth the true nature God." There were nine mullahs present. When [581 ]
I had finished one of them said, "It is impossible have presented the Christian message directly, in to be pure in heart." All the other eight agreed most cases without any reference to Islam, and with him. Without the Holy Spirit true purity many hundreds of Moslems have attended and is impossible. have shown the keenest interest.
Islam has its holy shrines, like Mecca and In one of the smaller cities of Iran we held serv- Medina, the graves of the prophet and the Imams, ices on several successive Sundays. Though there is no established Christian <church in that city we but it has nothing to compare with the Christian had a w.onderfulattendance of Moslems. The last sacred places that have a deep meaning fQr us. Sunday, though a heavy rain was faIling, there were more than three hundred Moslems in attend- Bethlehem-Place of the Incarnation. ance. N.o room at our disPQsal was large enough The Wilderness – The place of overcoming to hold such a congregati.on so I stood in a d.oor- way opposite to be sheltered from the rain and temptation. listeners filled the porches on the first and second Gethsemane-The place of agony for sin. stories of the long h.ouse where we were staying. Golgotha-The place .of atonement on the Cross. One could hardly believe that such an .opportunity The Empty Tomb-The place of victory through could be presented-that so many would be ready to hear the straight evangelistic message in a city resurrection. The Mount of Ascension-Place of power and the Great Commission.
It would be hard to imagine anything that eQuId that is noted :for its fanaticism. M.ost Christian evangelists in Iran have a room bring more jQy than the pr.oclamation of such or office where peQple may come to see them for great truths. If any Christian has, lost his joy in conversation .or to secure Christian literature. In preaching it must be because he has lost contact our .own evangelistic rQom we have a Bible class with these great and fundamental truths. If any each Sunday morning for Moslem men. Though worker for Moslems has lost the j.oy of such service let him return to his God-given Message and the attendance is somewhat irregular because most of the young men are from the upper classes of he will find there what he has lost. the g.overnment schools, we very often have thirty Islam has no real vital message. In a large or forty or even more of these intelligent young town of our province a number .of mullahs came men; they must often cut their classes to come. to our rQom. We asked them to choose a man to What a joy to have such hearers; their attendspeak for thirty minutes on the message .of Islam ance is entirely vQluntary, yet they leave their and we would speak for a similar time on the own school work to come and listen! That should Christian message. They chose the leading m.uj- bring joy to the heart of any Christian preacher. tahid who spoke for .only five minutes. We took the other twenty-five minutes of his time and the Opportunities to present the Christian message half-hour allotted to us to present the Christian are not confined to large congregations but come message. This has happened over and .over again from personal contacts in our every day WQrk. In in our experience. Great should be our JQY for a certain city I was invited, with a mission doctor, we have a wonderful message, which Islam has to the home of the head of the tax department.
not. He had also asked the Governor of the district, The Moslem Hearers the head .of the education department, several vil- lage landowners, and others to come to his home We not only have a message but we find in Mos- for conversation with us. We were able to prelem lands many who are ready to listen to it. sent tQ these officials the straight Christian mes- Though there are great .obstacles to be .overcome, sage and they seemed glad t.o listen. Recently yet we thank God for the great oPPQrtunities. that after Easter I stood in a school for girls with the lie around us. The fanaticism and bigotry which whole student body before me. The large room fQrmerly refused to listen to the message .of Christ was darkened and at the front .of the rQQm there have largely passed away. The tremendous social was a cross illumined by electric lights, covered changes and the m.odern outlook, together with by white cloth and lilies. By the light of the cross the new nationalistic spirit, sometimes make for I read the resurrection story. The great majority more freedom in preaching, and at other times of the girls were from Moslem families, yet there they .offer hindrances; yet in all we rejoice that was respectful silence and strict attention. Whose the general flow of the tide is toward a more ready heart would nQt overflow with joy at such an ophearing and more people willing to consider the portunity to preach Christ? claims of the Gospel. Last year, returning across the lake from visit- In the large cities all over Iran we have recently ing the churches in the Urumia region, I started been holding special evangelistic meetings. Some- a religious conversation with an army doctor soon times for a week these services have continued after the boat had left the pier. Others gathered each day and s.ometimes for longer periods. They around and through the whole day the conversa-
THE PRIVILEGE OF PREACHING TO MOSLEMS
tion went on, with all listening who were free to a mob of men. Some entered the room and began gather around. It was one more joyful chance for beating converts who were with us. They threw personal work. us out of the room; as they pushed us out of the yard, one man said, "If you ever come in this yard As a subject of a Moslem country, I live under again, or even in this street your blood will be a constitution which establishes Islam as the State spilled on these cobblestones." After we left a religion, yet there is an open door for the Gospel man who had lately professed Christ was shamewhich no one can shut. I have the joy of diffi- fully beaten by the rabble. culties to be overcome and the daily joy of seeing non-Christians willing to hear the message Christ Some time ago, as I was leaving the church, a has sent me to give. young Moslem put a sealed letter into my hand. I did not open it until I got home and then found it The Joys of Tribulation contained a threat that if I tried to convert Mos- lems to Christianity, either by preaching in the There is another sort of joy that comes from church or personal work, my blood would be shed suffering and persecution for Christ. The joy of in the street. It was signed "The Group of those the day of Pentecost was one sort of happiness for who Shed Blood." the Apostle Peter, but when some time later he was beaten he found joy in that experience also. We must expect at any time to be put out of We read in the Acts that "they departed from the places where we go to preach. Our books will be presence of the council rejoicing that they were seized and we may have trouble but, like the Hecounted worthy to suffer shame for his name." brews to whom the apostle wrote, most of us "have The Apostle Paul must have rejoiced to see not yet resisted unto blood." Even should it be churches spring up through his efforts but his our privilege to share the martyr's crown, we will heart broke forth in joy at the thought that his still say with the prophet Nehemiah, "For the joy apostleship was sealed by fellowship with Christ of the Lord is your strength." in His sufferings.. Just as we fail to match the apostles in power, so we fail to attain to a fellow- The Joy of the Harvest ship in suffering such as they enjoyed. The trials we are called upon to bear are trivial in compari- There is the joy in gathering fruit. We do not son to their sufferings, yet our own may be enough see great numbers of Moslems accepting Christ, to bring that deep joy which comes only through or mass movements such as are reported in India, sharing with Christ in pain and distress. Korea and Africa. We must work and pray for one convert from Islam, but in the large centers, Some years ago I was touring with one of the where churches are established, there quite a missionaries. We reached a district in the moun- group join the church each year. In the villages,· tains where so far as I know Christian evangelists on the other hand, there may be a single convert had never been. Some sixteen years before one here and there but we struggle toward the stage Christian had passed through the district. We where we may witness groups. of Christian became into a village just before nightfall, in a storm lievers in villages and small cities. The main reaof rain and wind. We asked for a place to stay sons why we do not see large numbers of converts but there was not one family in the place that are: would receive Christians – especially in our wet condition. They thought that we would contam- The lack of religious freedom; Religious or national fanaticism; a inate their houses in that condition. They showed Loss of economic and social standing; Actual persecution of converts. us the ruins of barn but we decided it would be beUer to stay in the streets than among the ver- One time, touring with a new missionary who min there. Another man took us to an old chicken had come from America a short time before, we house, one of the most filthy places I have ever stopped at a druggist's shop in the bazaar and a seen. At last one man suggested that there was crowd started to gather when they saw we were a shelter in an orchard some way from the village. speaking about Christ and the Injil (Gospel). I We made our way out there and found some sort moved to a wide part of the bazaar and at least of a room upstairs; we put our saddlebags over a hundred people gathered and gave me a wonderthe places where windows should have been and ful opportunity to preach the Gospel. They lisat last made our beds with the wind and rain tened with fine attention and were evidently imwhistling through our abode~ I have never in my pressed by the message. As we returned to our life enjoyed a sweeter sleep than that night. room my heart was singing, but I noticed that the young missionary seemed sad. When I asked the At one time I was invited with a missionary to reason, he replied, "I am filled with sorrow bethe home of a prominent man who had recently cause not one man stood up before the crowd and been converted from Islam. As we were talking confessed Christ. In such a meeting in America, a high Moslem ecclesiastic entered the room and we saw that the yard was filled with mullahs and
with people listening with that sort of attention, connection with our church, confessions had been at least fifteen or twenty would have arisen to few. One morning a young man, who had been confess their faith." Those of us who have spent attending services for some time, came into my many years in work for Moslems hope for that offic·e and made a clear confession of his faith in day but we have not yet seen it. Men and women Christ. He was from a good family and now has are born into the Kingdom one by one and great a good position as a clerk in the military service. is our joy over one soul that steps out into the How glad our hearts are made after a season of sunlight of Christ. little apparent fruit when we see the Spirit work- ing to turn men to Christ! One day as I was passin.g a vineyard, a boy came running and asked us into the garden where In one village I passed a mullah sitting in a an old man was sitting.. I read to him the story shop. Something made me turn back and I found of the Prodigal Son, and before I was through the he had never read the Injil, so I gave him a copy. old gentleman was crying like a child. He under- After that there was not a day when we did not stood the meaning of the story before I had ex- converse; he was certainly near the Kingdom and plained a word and I am satisfied he found Christ came to a full understanding of the love of Christ. in that single interview. In one village I had a conversation in a Bahai house that lasted until One of the fondest memories of my work for midnight. The owner was not converted but one Moslems was the conversion of a leading mullah, man who was present was deeply affected. He a descendant of the prophet Mohammed, who had came to see us later and before we had left the charge of several mosques. His was a wonderful village he confessed Christ and has remained true conversion and he not only believed but preached to. this day. his faith with utter disregard of consequences. He was called upon to suffer persecution which I recall three young men with whom I came in almost made him despair of life itself. But noth- .contact through the young people's society of our ing has been able to shake his faith. The last time church. One of them later confessed that he had I saw him he had a book in his hand and showed been drinking the first time he attended a meeting me two pictures,as others on the street stopped and had gone there as a lark. They all later con- to look and listen. One was the picture of a lion fessed Christ and though they have separated to and the other of a lamb. He said to me, "In the places that are far apart each has done much for end this one will triumph," pointing to the lamb. Christ in this land. It is not necessary to mention many other cases In one large city I had been working alone for which come to mind. As the angels in Heaven several weeks with very small show of results. I are filled with joy when one sinner repents, so we had given a Bible to a young man of a very prom- are happy beyond measure to see one soul from inent family. One evening as I sat in my room Islam born anew in Christ. If we carry the real almost discouraged as to the work, the young man message, in prayer and the power of the Holy came in. He had been reading the Bible, and be- Spirit, the fruit will come whether we or others fore he left, he confessed faith in Christ. My are to harvest it. I can conceive of no greater joy pessimism was· changed to joy. Shortly after this than that of seeing souls come out of Islam to take another man, who was a tailor and had been read- their place beside others who were formerly Zoro- ing much of our literature, confessed Christ and astrians or Jews, Armenians or Assyrians, and began to witness for Him. The poor man never all these together building the Church of Christ in reached the point where he could quite give up Iran. We praise God for our opportunities. "He his old custom of smoking opium but he professed that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious his faith before all up to the time of his death. seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." During some months of evangelistic work in A church that divides the Christian community is impotent to transform or redeem it.- Rev. Ross Sanderson.
*** We have sometimes covered over the ugly and dangerous weaknesses of our civilization and have given them the appearance of strength.-Rev. A. E. Keigwin.
FOR LEPER COUPLES IN A LEPER COLONY, NORTHERN
Obeying Christ's Forgotten Command Dona Eunice and the Lepers of Brazil _.o~ ~o._ r By EULA KENNEDY LONG, formerly of Brazil I A MONG those present at the fourth Interna- eradication of this dread disease in one generar-. tional Conference on Leprosy, which met in tion."
Cairo last March, was Dona Eunice Gabbi About a decade ago, under the capable and un- Weaver, a native Brazilian who married an selfish leadership of Dona Eunice, a small group American Methodist missionary in Brazil. She of Christian women began the work which is now came as official delegate and was the only woman carried on by seventy-two societies, associated in to read a paper before the conference. Dona a Federation of which she is the national presi- Eunice is a product of Christian missions, for she dent. They have erected prevention homes for received her early education in the mission the care of children whose parents have been in- schools of Argentina and Brazil. Later, she took terned in Government "colonies," and for un- a nursing course; and in 1929, toured the world tainted babies taken from leprous mothers at on one of our "Floating Universities." For some birth.
years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver Since the disease is not inherited, a child's superintended the Methodist Settlement House in safety depends on immediate removal from a dis- Rio de Janeiro. eased mother. Tragic as this separation is to the About eight years ago Dona Eunice became in- mother, it is less terrible than that of seeing her terested in the lepers of her country and took up child doomed to hopeless suffering.
the work as a life investment. Up to that time, A very important phase of this work is keep- efforts in their behalf had been sporadic and ing up the morale of the patients. Dr. Muir, of In- localized. According to Dr. H. C. Tucker (for al- dia, has said that 85 per cent of the cure of lep- most fifty years Secretary of the American Bible rosy consists of moral and spiritual help, and Society in Brazil), "no one in Brazil is doing so only 15 per cent is due to medical care. Societies, great a work in dealing with this gigantic 'prob- therefore, have provided work-shops, libraries, lem as is Dona Eunice Weaver. Dr. Victor Heiser recreation centers and Christian chapels for the states that "Brazil may lead the world in the pres- patients, and organize entertainments for Christ- o ervation of the children of lepers and in the mas and other special days.
[585 ]
This work is in cooperation with the Federal and other influential men and women, receiving Government, which has built some twenty colo- cooperation from the humblest widow, as well as nies (in which about twelve thousand lepers are from the first lady of the land, Dona Darcy Varnow interned) and has fourteen more under con- gas. struction. Getulio Vargas is the first president of the country to attack this problem in a vigorous One of the most interesting and heartening and statesmanlike way. But government alone features is that Dona Eunice, although a Protescannot carryon all phases of this stupendous un- tant, has secured the cooperation of Roman Cathdertaking. It must have the assistance of private olics, Spiritualists, and Positivists. Her success beneficent organizations. in carrying out Christ's oft-forgotten command to cleanse the lepers, proves that Christian love, in From the pampas of the South to the waters of actual practice, can transcend barriers of class and the Amazon, Dona Eunice travels by train, ship, creed, and be a living force in .the service of sufauto and military plane, enlisting the sympathy fering fellow-men. and active support of state governors, Rotarians, Presenting the Good News in Brazil By E. M. do AMARAL, Rio de Janeiro Secretary of the Evangelical Federation of Brazil W HENEVER the message of the New Tes- The Christian conscience of the people of the tament reaches men, no matter how di- so-called "Younger Churches" reacts immediately, verse the interpretations may be, it will awakened by the responsibility for evangelizing always speak vigorously to the consciences, ap- the world in accomplishing the missionary task. pealing to the sacred missionary responsibility. They cooperate in the great labors initiated in Christians everywhere receive, as a command, the their country. duty of propagating the Good News of salvation; to present to men the unique Personality of Jesus But it is just to mention that, at the touch of Christ-the incarnation of the highest ethics, and the international or ecumenical spirit of Chrissupreme giver of energies for conduct. It is a tianity quite evident in the work of the Missions, duty to spread among the masses the noble in- the Christians of the evangelized countries awake, fluences of the Gospel. both in their duty to do missionary work and in their national feelings. For the love of their coun- The peoples who had already experienced try they wish to propagate the light of Christ; Christianity for centuries-and especially the or- and because Christianity awakens the conscience ganization which followed the principles of the of personality, and on account of the fact that the Great Reformation of the sixteenth century-felt national feelings do not die, there is born the dein its full power this heavy responsibility to prop- sire that the work, started by self-denying pioagate the teachings and the spirit of Jesus, to con- neers of other lands, may be carried on by those vey His influences among the people who did not who have received the fruits of the missionary know Christ, or who were in unfavorable circum- labors. stances on account of wrong interpretations and practice of Christianity. They have felt this duty, It is needless to call attention to the struggles and have sought to perform it with earnestness which have been fought, in these circumstances, and tenacity. many times due to lack of understanding from both sides as to their respective functions. Thanks In the exercise of this duty by the missionary to God, that there is already a new spirit predomcountries, there developes a true internationalism, inating and a better comprehension of duties will which exists in the religion of Jesus Christ, and bring greater blessings to the missionary enterwhich, in order to bestow benefits and accomplish prise in all the world. There is a reasonable its spiritual mission, is beyond racial and political expectation that this will come to pass. barriers. Again, this international spirit meets and often awakens the national spirit of the peo- Br.azil has already been the host to French ples who receive the blessings of the missionary missionaries in the colonial period (sixteenth cenenterprise. tury); and has had a movement of the Reforma- tion to a certain extent, during the Dutch control;
PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS IN BRAZIL
also, in colonial times (seventeenth century) ; and God, and it is fair to mention that they are en- was educated in the principles and loose practices gaged in it with enthusiasm and a burning sense of Roman Catholicism. Not speaking about visits, of responsibility.
now and then, already received in the nineteenth In the capitals and in the larger cities, but espe- century, she began to receive the evangelical mis- cially on the coast, we have already strong sionary influence only in the last quarter of the churches-many of them self-supporting and help- last century, less than 80 years ago, implanting ing smaller churches as well as the general work, the regular work of the various Missions, which and maintaining regular missionary work within brought us their great blessings and, let us say their areas. Whosoever will examine rapidly the also, transported to the new land the sectarian evangelical enterprise in some capitals, will note struggles of Europe and America. the churches maintaining various preaching sta- Already, within a half century, the feeling of tions and congregations, within a short time will ecclesiastical autonomy has been greatly awak- develop into new churches and all of them dedicate ened, which means the privilege of self-govern- themselves to propaganda.
ment, responsibility for self-support, but still the A considerable part of the evangelistic field is in sacred duty to propagate the Good News by our the rural zone, and even there, in spite of the lack own efforts. A great progress has already been of resources, the National Church does the same achieved. There are denominations entirely auton- work of evangelism. It is a perplexing problem omous; others, which are autonomous, even in Brazil, but the Christian workers and the Counthough they receive some support from the Mis- cils face the situation with courage and energy. sions; and others upon which the missions have The rapid development of the churches comes yet preponderant influence. We have gone quite a way in the direction of about in such a way, that within a short time, the field of labor of one worker multiplies itself, the rethis equilibrium, which generates a healthy, mu- sponsibilities increase, new centers come up, new tual respect between the missionary and the native churches are organized in much larger proporforces; and also we affirm that there is not, in a tion than the regular growth of the number of general sense, the sad "nationalism" which dead- workers. A distinguished Brazilian preacher who ens the work. We meap to say this: the collab- occupies an important pastorate in one of the oration of missionaries and Brazilians is of such largest churches in Brazil, and who is working a nature that these can develop, with liberty and very efficiently, was the initiator of the work of satisfaction, the promotion of the Christian cause. evangelization in a vast rural zone, in which there We are thankful to report the fact that the are today, instead of the small church then organ- Brazilian Churches, all of them, felt the impera- ized, not less than three Presbyteries.
tive missionary duty, and all of them, continually, Completely occupied with the common labors, with some enthusiasm, by their own initiative and and with this work in which the cure of souls and expenses, and employing their own methods, do the propagation of the Gospel extend together, the the best work of propaganda that they can. Brazilian workers have not always had sufficient The Christian schools of Brazil are yet in a funds for spreading out and planting new marks great part under the direction of missionaries, in far-away places in the outlying districts.
affiliated with various Missions in the United But all this is done, while the sons of the States. In the Theological Schools there are also "younger churches," feeling the weight and glory some missionaries, even though nearly all the of their mission, are face to face with the hard Schools of Theology are under the Brazilian lead- task of giving guidance to the general work. The ership. In the regular pastorate there are several Evangelical press, the training of ministers, the missionaries, but in considerably less proportIon, general work of Christian cooperation,· although and variable according to the denominations with helped by missionary experience quite often, is which they are connected. In the work of evan- on the shoulders of the nationals. Along these gelization, in zones in which the Brazilian lines, the Fifth Evangelical Congress, which met churches cannot have much influence, and espe- in S. Paulo, in 1936, had an important task; with cially in the hard task to evangelize territories far the help of missionaries who were there they made away from the civilized centers, there is a fine a careful study of questions. regarding evan- number of self-denying missionaries, including gelization, education, literature, social action, missionary ladies worthy of all respect, who are ecumenism, unity, held the attention of the Con- doing splendid educational work and nursing, far gress and very important conclusions and recom- away from the resources of civilization. mendations were made, in which there is a cou- Excluding these and other works, which the rageous acknowledgment of past mistakes and Brazilian evangelicals receive with gratitude, the shortcomings, and the presentation of desirable national leaders, naturally, have an ample and steps. and initiatives to follow in behalf of the heavy task in the propagation of the Kingdom of future kingdom of Christ in Brazil.
Adventure in Panjab
By HELEN A. DUFF Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church at Moga, Pan;ab AN AMERICAN woman, beginning mission- brought encouragement. But in many villages she r-. ary work with her husband a few years ago found none but tottering and toothless old women in the Bible classes. "Why do not the young ones in the villages of southeastern Panjab, was come?" she asked. astonished to find that almost none of the Christian women in that district knew anything about "They haven't time. They are busy with their the new religion which they professed. In each children and their husbands, with their grinding village there was usually a man or two who could and spinning, and all the business of living. What tell a few Bible stories from the mission course time have they to think of God? But with us, who then in vogue, but scarcely a woman knew so have finished with living, our children are dead, much as the name of Christ. There was no dis- or grown and it is well now for us to give a cernible difference between their mode of life and thought to God and to death and the Judgment bethat of their outcaste neighbors. The homes and fore it is too late." children of the Christians were as dirty as others in the village; many charms were to be seen about Young mothers, wrestling with the problem of their necks; and much quarreling and filthy lan- how to find enough bread for their children, how guage was heard; they showed as little interest to save them from cholera and blindness and the "evil eye," and all the rampant vice of village life in school. were not concerned with God. He could be of no "Perhaps the evangelists take no interest in service to weary and despairing souls who groaned under the degradation of an outcaste teaching the women," thought the missionary woman's lot. Why should they give much time to wife. "They teach only the men." She decided to think of Him, when as yet their day for dying explain to the evangelists that the women also was still far off? should be taught. The evangelists listened politely. Some took the trouble to explain why such a The old women's answer marked the turning thing was not to be expected. There were a num- point in that district. We decided to undertake ber of reasons-time-honored sex taboos and to do something more creative. In many villages women's brainlessness. The headstrong young the old women still sit, passively content to listen foreigners must find out for themselves the utter to Bible stories, but twice a year now, increasing unreasonableness of their expectations. numbers of young women and girls flock eagerly into the mission station for a sort of girls' camp, The missionary changed her tactics. She de- for two weeks of dynamic study. cided to inspire the evangelists' wives to take up the service, each in her own home village. But The experiment was launched with misgiving. there were many practical difficulties. In that "Parents will never send their daughters," said district there was no precedent for such a pro- the wise and experienced evangelists. In the becedure. The women were not used to sitting in ginning few did. But in that first critical two classes. All their lives they had been told that weeks' session, the few girls who came had such they had brains like the buffal'Q.cf.The evangelists' a rich experience that their drab lives were wives dften reminded them of the fact. Besides, changed and the news spread. As a result many these wives had to care for their own homes and a girl has prevailed upon fearful old parents or children and could not take on more work, for a jealous or stingy young husband, to allow her which they were not paid. to attend camp once, if not twice, in the year. But gradually, by persistent prayer, with ex- A group of little two-room native houses was ample and precept, the work was begun. From found where the girls might live for two weeks. scattered villages came reports of women learn- All the activities of the camp are used to convert ing Bible stories. No radical change of life these drab mud houses into. what a Christian vilseemed to follow ammediately, but that would lage home should be! The girls pasted the houses take time. The missionary began making visits neatly with thin mud plaster, built tidy fireplaces, to the villages where women were listening; her decorated their walls with designs of their own praise of those teachers who were most faithful in white clay, or color. Pictures cut from maga- [588 ] zines have added splashes of color. Simple little There is at times tension or lack of cooperation, hand-made pottery have a place in the scheme. but as each situation arises, it gives opportunity Beds neatly spread and clean floors gradually for the girls themselves to evaluate it in the light become the standard. Personal charm has been of the standards which they themselves have ac- enhanced by daily washings and combing of hair, knowledged. Behavior is measured by the motto weekly washing of clothes, and getting rid of lice they have chosen, "In love serve one another."
once-for-all! Girls take turns in cooking, learn- The babies who are sure to attend also learn ing from a woman who is a mistress of the art. much, for these are made the subjects of all the There are also lessons in soap making, cutting experiments in baby bathing and weighing, in and sewing of garments, knitting, baby care, and feeding and discipline! They learn to take their sometimes in simple gardening and chicken rais- food once every four hours, instead of every time ing. they whimper. They learn to sleep, cool and com- The twice-a-day lessons in reading are attacked fortable, in their little cots, while their mothers with more zest than anything else and we find attend school. They like this better than being that there is nothing which so much enhances· constantly jiggled and smothered in mother's self-respect as an ability to read. warm lap. Mothers like it better too. Finally, Lessons in Bible are not cut-and-dried, but free they return to their village homes, bedecked in discussion is encouraged, to find answers to ques- the gaudy new shirts which their young mothers tions about daily living. have made for them. Two- and three-year-olds "What shall I do when my child gets fever? learn to detach themselves from mothers' skirts, My mother-in-law tells me that the blood of a and have a good time independently in an attrac- black goat smeared on the bed posts would be tive little nursery school.
helpful." Each morning and evening during the camp the "What is the harm in child marriage?" girls gather, sometimes together and sometimes "How should my husband treat me?" in separate house groups, for Christian worship.
"Why should I not slap my child when he an- On the last days, when the girls must return to noys me? How else can I control him?" their villages, their expressions of regret and To these and other daily problems the girls and their wistful yearnings to stay longer, are di- teachers try to find the Christian answer, in the verted into the more positive attitude of service light of Christ's teaching. There is gratifying for others. What are they taking back to their evidence of the effectiveness of this more realistic villages? Will they find some other girls to teach?
method, despite its many flaws. Staff meetings to Here and there a village girl can be found who prepare for class discussions have helped. has learned to read a little, or to knit, or to keep There is also much fun in these schools. There her children cleaner and to quarrel less with her are trips to thE! ice factory (as good as a trip to mother-in-law, because a friend who has been to Europe), picnics on the canal bank, games and camp has shown her that Christ teaches her to songs, and village folk dances. do those things if she wishes to follow Him.
TEN RULES FOR OHRISTIAN LIVING By THE LATE GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH 1. Consider your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and treat it with reverence and care. 2. Keep your mind active. Stimulate it with thoughts of others that lead to doing something. 3. Take time to be holy with daily Bible reading and prayer. 4. Support the church of your faith. Mingle with others. 5. Cultivate the presence of God. He wants to enter your life and will,-as far as you let Him. 6. Take God into the details of your life. You naturally call upon Him in trouble and for the bigger things. 7. Pray for this troubled, war-threatened world and the leaders who hold the destinies of the various nations. 8. Have a thankful spirit for the blessings of God – country, home, friends and numerous "
other blessings. 9. Work as if everything depended upon work, and pray as if everything depended upon prayer. 10. Think of death not as something to be dreaded, but as a great and new experience where loved ones are met and ambitions realized.-Selected.
Lift Up Christ in
Two Methods of Introducing Jesus to Non-Christians _o·<tH{1.:;11====B;;;;Y;;;;A;;;;M=IS;;;;SI;;;;O;;;;N;;;;AR=Y=IN=IND=I;;;;A====!III.- My FIRST year of evangelistic work in the Maddened by his prowess, the Mohammedans Panjab was spent in a proud and big- grew acrimonious in their attacks, saying abusive oted Mohammedan city, where for fifty things of Christ, and making personal attacks on years Christian work had been carried on with the evangelist. The Christian maintained his good almost no visible results. A spirit of defeatism humor, but his tongue grew more adroit in trip- and indifference, and even of antagonism to the ping up his less skilful rivals, demolishing their non-Christians, characterized the local church. arguments with his brilliant irony.
The Christians, having come from the Depressed Long before the evening was over, it was evi- Classes, were scorned by their proud Moham- dent that the Moslem opponents were routed. The medan neighbors, and it is not easy to love peo- discussion ended with shrill and furious invective ple by whom one is scorned! on one side, and cries of victory on the other. On But the Indian pastor and the missionaries had their way home, some of the Christians were plans for stirring the city into new life. A short seized and beaten by enraged Mohammedans, but time before the Panjab had been startled by the they gloried in their sufferings for Christ.
news that a brilliant and zealous Mohammedan Some of us who were new to the work were dis- maulvi (theologian) had been converted to Christ. turbed by the unfriendly spirit shown and there- As in the case of Paul, the talents which former- after dissociated ourselves from such debates.
ly had been skilfully used to refute the claims of Our Christian associates were patient, pointing Christ were now even more vigorously employed out that more Gospels had been sold during that in defense of the Christian faith. In the hope of week than in the whole preceding year. God could stirring lethargic Christians to fresh zeal, and of "make even the wrath of man to praise Him,"
converting hardened Mohammedans, the church whereas indifference was more difficult to over- leaders invited this man to come and give a series come. Some Moslems came to ask questions, while of evangelistic addresses before his former co- others sought to quarrel with the pastor and the religionists-the Moslems. missionaries. We were amazed w~en three young He had accepted the invitation and the news Mohammedan men asked for baptism at the close was soon spread, through every alley of our city of the campaign. They had become convinced, and into surrounding villages. It was rumored they said, by the logic of the evangelist, that to among the Christians that the local maulvies, follow the way of Mohammed would surely lead fearful lest their learning might not prove ade- them to hell. The baptisms aroused such bitter quate to the challenge of so illustrious an oppo- antagonism in the city that the young men seemed nent, had sent to Amritsar and to Lahore for two to be in peril of their lives and were obliged to of their most scholarly and most eloquent maul- make their escape into another part of the counvies to uphold the Prophet's honor. Excitement try. For a time every home in the city was closed ran high. Christian evangelists, as they went to us. about in house to house visiting, were sharply *** questioned about the coming addresses, and some- When the Christian Students' Council of a times were taunted in the streets. Christian college planned to show stereopticon On the night of the first debate, crowds filled slides of the "King of Kings" (Life of Christ) in the arena. Men and women with babies, attended the college chapel, where attendance was volun- from the Christian compound. For the first time tary, a group of Mohammedan students, prej- in the history of our city, Christianity was head- udiced against Christianity, determined to cause line news. The debate began in dignified and a disturbance.
scholarly manner, as the maulvies matched their As the lights went out, and the picture was learning against that of their Christian rival. It shown, the mischief makers began to chatter, soon became apparent that the maulvies were far shuffle their feet, snap their fingers, hoot in de- out-classed in their knowledge of the subject. rision, and throw paper wads at the figure of Again and again the convert scored, tearing to Christ on the screen. The president of the college pieces with ease the arguments of his opponents. felt that he could not allow such insults to his [590 ] Master, and sprang to his feet to shut off the pic- ly the audience watched that broken body taken ture. Just then there came before him the mental picture of Jesus and His disciples, weary and from the Cross and laid sorrowfully in its resting footsore at the end of a day's journey, refused place by His brokenhearted friends. The crowd shelter in a village of Samaria. While the dis- was deeply impressed as that invincibly friendly, ciples, in anger at this indignity to their Master, virile, gallant Spirit went down to seeming dedesired to call down fire from Heaven on the in- feat, so unmerited and ignominious. But with the hospitable village, "Jesus turned and rebuked dawning of Easter morning, when the noble figthem; and they went to another village." The ure of Christ rose from his grave, living and vicpresident decided to ignore the disturbance, and torious, the whole student body was on its feet let the picture go on. and the oppressive stillness was broken with cheer after wild cheer, exultantly ringing through Little by little, as Jesus walked before them on the chapel: "He has conquered!" the screen, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, playing with little children, gradually the The next day a sober-faced committee of Moshuffling of feet, and the derisive "cat calls" les- hammedan students called at the president's office. sened. Later, when the scenes of Christ's suffer- "We came to beg forgiveness," they said, "for our ing on the Cross were thrown on the screen, a shameful rudeness of yesterday. We would never tense and breathless stillness filled the room. Quiet- have acted as we did, if we had supposed that Jesus was like that!"
CHURCH GIVING HAS INCREASED The statistics of the United Stewardship Council (Harry S. Myers, Sec.) are for the church years ending between December 31, 1937, and September 1, 1938. These figures show an increase in giving to benevolences and to congregational expenses; membership also shows an increase.
The new depression that started in the fall of 1937 caused a severe slowing up in contributions in many churches, but the total for the year is larger than the total for the preceding report. In per capita giving the United Presbyterians stand at the head with $5.47 per capita for general benevolences and $7.09 for denominational work.
The increase in giving by the listed twenty-five church bodies is $2,313,425.00, or is .007 per cent over the preceding year.
All groups except five show a growth in membership; the Southern Baptists stand first with 4,595,602. The total membership, exclusive of infants, reported by these twenty-five church bodies in the United States and Canada, is 25,143,316, an increase of 133,766, over the statement made last January.
RELIGIOUS BODY 1 – -P-ER- -OA,P-IT-A-G-IF-TS- – – – 1 – – – – -T-O,T-AL-G-IF-T-S – – – – – – 1 Membership Denomina· oongrega. Denomina· Oongrega- Excluding tlonal Be· tiona! All tiona! tiona! AIl Purposes Infants nevo!ences Expenses Purposes Benove!ences Expenses 1——1——–1———-1——–1—— I Baptist, Northern ………………. .. $1.76 $10.19 $II.95 $2,590,305 $14,957,043 $17,547,348 1,468,043 2 Baptist, Southern ..•……………… 1.24 5.78 7.02 5,702,150 26,563,537 32,265,687 4,595,602 3 Baptist, Seventh Day ……………. .. 3.79 10.45 14.24 25,736 70,968 96,704 6,793 4 Brethren, Church of ……………… . 2.23 7.89 10.12 368,269 1,300,000 1,668,269 164,784 5 Brethren in Christ, United ………..• 1.92 10.02 II.94 790,793 4,125,218 4,916,011 411,674 6 Congregational and Christian …….. . 1.57 14.10 15.66 1,613,817 14,534,449 16,148,266 1,030,914 7 Disciples of Christ ………………. .. 1.33 6.08 7.40 2,130,988 9,768,528 ll,899,516 1,607,716 8 Episcopal, Protestant ……………. . 2.53 20.26 22.79 3,437,559 27,500,570 30,938,129 1,357,496 9 Evangelical Church ………………. . .69 19.07 19.76 162,820 4,498,461 4,661,281 235,868 10 Evangelical and Reformed ………… . 2.24 II.95 14.19 1,464,002 7,796,393 9,260,395 652,668 II Lutheran Church, United …………. . 2.32 12.26 14.59 2,612,550 13,802,994 16,415,544 1,125,399 12 Lutheran Conference, American …… . 2.62 11.31 13.93 2,699,066 11,658,225 14,357,291 1,030,861 13 Lutheran Conference, Synodical …… . 2.65 10.81 13.46 2,921,804 ll,894,245 14,816,049 1,100,572 14 Lutheran, Other Synods ………….. . 1.49 7.58 9.07 123,660 627,393 751,053 82,789 15 Methodist Episcopal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 98 14.11 16.09 7,285,917 51,788,184 59,074,101 3,671,ll5 16 Methodist Episcopal, South , ……… . 2.53 7.43 9.96 7,149,726 21,040,770 28,190,496 2,830,258 17 Muravian, North ………… , …….. . 4.86 17.38 22.24 84,603 302,234 386,837 17,392 18 Nazarene, Church of ……………… . 4.54 26.35 30.89 650,892 3,777,210 4,428,102 143,330 19 Presbyterian, United ., …………… . 7.09 16.80 23.89 1,276,683 3,025,969 4,302,652 180,065 20 Presbyterian, U. S, (So,) ………….. . 5.18 16.40 21.58 2,579,108 I 8,162,139 10,741,247 497,816 21 Presbyterian, U. S. A………. , ….. .. 3.58 17.64 21.23 6,823,443 33,584,4II 40,407,854 1,903,747 22 Reformed in America …….. , ……… . 3.76 19.66 23.41 598,440 3,132,064 3,730,504 159,343 23 Baptist, Ontario and Quebec …….. ,. 3.63 14.61 18.24 205,652 1 828,556 1,034,208 56,700 24 Presbyterian in Canada ………….. . 3.11 14.03 17.15 547,6331 2,467,362 3,014,995 175,824 25 United Church of Canada …………. . 3.62 14.13 17.75 2,306,259 8,995,562 11,301,821 636,547 1-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-. Average or total, 1938 … , …….. ,. $2.23 $11.38 $13.62 ……….. '1-.-.-.-..-.-.-..-.-1–.-.-..-.-.-..- ____A_v_e_r_a_g_e_o_r_t_o_t_a_I,_19_3_7_._._.._._._.._._'_'_"_"1__$_2_._16_ __$_1_0._9_6_ __$_1_3_,2_5_ _,_,_'_"_'_'_"_'_' _1_'_'_'_"_'_'_'_"_'_1__"_'_'_"_'_'_"_'_1__"_'_'_"_._._._. 1 1 1 _ _ _G_r_a_n_d_t_o_t_a_I,__19_3_8._._.._._._.._._.._._._._.'-'-'1-'._._.'_'_'_1_'_'_'_••_._._1_'_'_'._,_._'1 $56,151,875 _1$286,202,485 $342,354,360 25,143,316 Grand total, 1937 ….. …………. ……. .. ….. . …… $53,793,095 $272,964,745 $330,040,935 21,909,550
and the World's Crisis*
By INABELLE GRAVES COLEMAN, Richmond, Va.
Editorial Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention THOUSANDS, even millions of Christians When the first mISSIOnaries came to Yintak, around the world are celebrating milestones the present young people's leader was a tiny lad. of victory for Christ. Numerous reports of The American children attracted him and soon prevailing privations, persecutions, perseverances he was joining them in their story hour time and personalizations of both missionaries and na- about their mother's knees. Theile stories always tional Christians evidence manifold fulfillments included Jesus and the love of God. of the petitions of the pioneers of yesteryears. The Chinese lad was held spellbound by these No missionary has claimed that he or she has stories for they were like none he had ever heard made a sacrifice or complained because of priva- before. He retold them at home. None of his tions. There are some less surrendered souls who family had ever heard of Jesus but believed that may do so, but the missionaries dwell on life's there are many gods whom one must worship sweetest moments of fellowship with the spirit of in order to be prosperous. When the boy repeated God. Many of the by-products of the privations the stories of Jesus, his family did not like the however, would not be necessary if we at home idea of adding a "foreign god" to their list. would keep closer to missionaries in prayer and in knowledge of their needs. The climax came when this eldest son came home one evening declaring that this God of the One quiet evening in far interior China a for- foreigners is the only true God. Fear filled the eign missionary and an American on a missionary family. To fail to worship the spirit of one's anjourney sat sharing with the Chinese evangelists cestors and the gods of wel:tlth, health, the kitchen, their heart yearnings for God's Kingdom. After and the cradle or the gods. of thunder and disease, a little while the group knelt to pray. In Chinese, would bring great calamity upon the family. The in English, they joined their hearts in praises and lad's grandparents forbade his ever again seeing petitions to the Father of all. When they arose the foreigners. He must forget all that the twilight had given way to darkness, and only by strangers had taught him. But the child could not the glow of a flashlight could they find the door forget. The still small voice of God's Holy Spirit leading into the night. Without apology the had found entrance to his understanding. Alhostess said "Perhaps you wonder why I have not though he had never heard what Jesus said about given you light. There is a little group of Chris- loving father or mother more than God the lad tians not far from us who had no pastor. We chose to obey God. Today, as he counsels with were giving all we could to God's work, but some- Chinese youth, he understands what persecuone happened to remember that if all of us in our tion means to some who become Christian. little church would give our oil money, there would be enough to supply food for a pastor for this little *** flock. For two months we have had no oil for our lamps. We go to bed early and get up by God's Rumania's State Church is a branch of the Rosunlight. It is a good reminder to know that we man Catholic church, and when one of that church are in physical darkness that these babes-in- comes in vital fellowship with God's Spirit and Christ may have spiritual light. We remember Christ becomes his Mediator, he no longer goes to to pray more for them as we sit in the twilight's confession. Instead of paying fees to the priests, dimming glow, and have no oil for our lamps." his free-will, love-offerings are directed toward opening for others this true way of salvation In the two-thirds of the world where paganism through Christ Jesus and naturally the priests obreigns unrelieved by the Christian message, it is ject. Asa result the Evangelical is boycotted, exnot easy for one to turn from the ancestral to iled, persecuted. follow what seems to be a foreign religion. For many that would mean exile from home, family, Far in the north of Rumania is a little missionfriends and loss of means of support. ary society that included five young girls. One sunny April morning, when the beauty of spring- Ch:i~o~~e:i~~l~~~m 1~3~.isslonary Message given during the Florida time filled their hearts with melody, softly they sang a hymn. Before the chorus was completed, a [592 ] rough knock at the door filled them with fear. An The sorrow and suffering, and death in warofficer entered and marched them off to prison torn China today cannot be described. The picfor being "a public nuisance." Locked in a room, ture of death, hunger, and distress are too terrible whose ceiling and walls were dotted with many for words. knotholes, they were commanded to count these knotholes until they collapsed. It is not easy to In spite of war, imprisonment, boycott, and subbe a Protestant in dominantly papal lands. tle persecutions, the Christians of war-torn lands, totalitarian states, and other unenlightened na- The world's youth are on the march today, but tions are loyally persevering, faithfully witnesstheir bands are not playing "Onward Christian ing to Christ their Lord and Saviour. Soldier." These youth, in many parts of Europe, are marching to the commands of dictators like Recently one hundred and fifty young people Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. For disobedience of enlisted in special training for service under orders, they. suffer imprisonment. the leadership of Enrico Paschetto of Turin, Italy. More people were baptized into the Protestant In the prisons of Chosen there are today thou- churches of Rumania last year than during any sands of political prisoners. In Germany's con- previous year. centration camps there are said to be 100,000 men, of whom 10,000 are ministers of Christ. No one For the first time in China's history a corps of knows how many prisoners there are in Italy. In Christian medical students recently offered the Russia, imprisonment and exile have not been government their services and asked to be sent to sufficient to satisfy the dictators; many Christians the front to alleviate the suffering of their fellow have faced the firing squad. men. They are willing to risk their lives for others. One of the three hundred refugee camps Surely it matters to us that thousands of Chris- of Shanghai is located in Old North Gate Baptist tians in the world are persecuted for their loyalty Church. The day after the shelling of Natao, one to Christ. of the many missionaries who has chosen to re- main in China, braved the danger of flying shrap- Nazism that exalts a man above God; Fascism nels and stray bullets, and went over to this old that places. the State above God; Communism that church. The quietness when he entered the vesexiles God; Imperialism that claims divinity for tibule made him wonder what could create such a its emperor-all these attempt to fetter the souls silence among a multitude crowded into these of men. over-flowing quarters. He saw Pastor Y. C. Ching standing in the midst of this homeless, hun- Because Martin Niemoller preached from the gry crowd of crushed sorrowing humanity, readtext, "We ought to obey God rather than man," ing the 23rd Psalm. How could these people deshe was tried for treason and today he suffers in a titute, desperate, wounded, snatched from death "concentration camp prison." If he had said, that claimed their loved ones, understand those "We ought to obey Hitler instead of God," his fate words about the Lord as a Shepherd, from the would have been reversed. Over the beautiful psalmist? gates of one of Germany's oldest universities once was the challenge to youth: "To the living Spirit Then he remembered the words: "Surely He of the Eternal God." Now the word "God" has shall not fail nor be discouraged until He hath set been chiselled out, and "Germany" has been mor- his justice in all the earth, and the isles shall wait ticed in its place. for His law?"
Christians cannot be unaware of these facts. Calmly the missionary wove his way through The cause of Christ must be promoted with knowl- the mass of humanity until he stood by the calm edge of the conditions that affect missions and Christian pastor. Putting his arm about Mr. hinder or help the progress of the Kingdom. Ching's shoulders, the West and East, the white and the yellow races, brothers in Christ, testified "The Beauties of War" is the title of a recent to the fact that "The Lord is my shepherd." book from the pen of Mussolini's son, who has barely reached his majority. He depicts a spring- Faithfulness to Christ prevails in these lands time airplane flight through the heaven's blue of persecution and trial around the world. skies of Ethiopia. In the morning sunshine he spies a village of peasants-only women and chil- The Chinese ideograph for America is composed dren for all of the men and boys have gone to of a combination of characters meaning literally fight the intruding army. The young aviator "Beautiful Country to the West." Most of the drops a bomb on the peasants and with a laugh world thinks of the United States as a land synsoars above the dust and death he has created. onymous with beautiful freedom and delightful liberty. The eyes of the world are upon "Chris- Such hellish delight is incomprehensible to a tian America," as the United States is frequently Christian. Those thus destroyed lived in the land called by Christians of other lands where America of Abyssinia, the oldest nation to claim the name and her sins are not well known. "Christian."
At the Nanking home of Dr. Sun F'o in 1936, At a university luncheon in Nanking the Ameriwhen he was the head of the legislative depart: can guest sat next to a Chinese leader in Nanment of the National Government of China, a king's civic and social service work. Recalling group of Americans found their host in his office. their college days in America, they remembered Dr. Sun still wore his shaded reading glasses. that both of them had met at the Y. W. C. A. Before him were two opened books: a Bible, Camp at Blue Ridge a decade ago. (opened to the Proverbs of Solomon), and the Constitution of the United States of North "How did you come to give up the missionary America. With these pages before him, this Chi- call that burned so radiantly in your life then?" nese scholar and statesman was drafting the new ventured the American. constitution for the Republic of China. With national courtesy the Chinese woman hesi- A passenger on the Atlantic was coming to one tated, but the American urged her to forget Oriof the largest cities of the United States to teach ental politeness and to be Americanly-frank, for his native tongue. By calling, and in fifteen years she was asking the question for reasons deeper of service, he was a Christian minister and he had than curiosity. never taught school before. "Then, for Christ's sake, I shall tell you. As a "I would not have left my people-they need college girl in China I was very happy with the me now more than ever, but the churches are thought of going to America to be with and study closed; scores of preachers, who have dared to with people who love God. The night before our preach in spite of the government's repression, ship touched the United States, I did not even have landed in jail. But there is much we can do take off my clothes. I prayed all night. My heart without preaching in a pulpit. We can go from was full to bursting. I prayed three things: I h.ouse to house breaking the Bread of Life. Quiet- praised God over and over for such a privilege to ly we can shepherd our flocks. But my lad's come to Christian America; I prayed to be worthy mother died last summer. She was training him to set my feet upon America's soil-I felt so unto worship and encouraging him to be a Christian worthy; and I prayed for an open heart and mind in spite of Naziism. I was afraid to have the boy to receive the blessings of learning that I might grow up in a land that has exiled God. It is also be like the missionaries who come from this for the lad that I am coming to America. I want beautiful country to which I was now privileged him to have the blessings of growing up in Chris- to come. Then, but-" and her voice broke. tian America." Humiliated by the world's personalization of an Christian America? One trembles and prays! America unworthy of such admiration and es- May those who personalize and idealize America teem, Christians are moved by a renewed zeal to and call her people Christian, not be disillusioned! respond more faithfully to the aching heart of humanity.
The Prime Needs of a City Church By REV. G. H. BECHTOLD, D.D., Philadelphia -otil Executive Secretary, Board of Inner Missions, Evangelical Lutheran Church M OST Protestant congregations begin in supported by the congregation, usually support promising neighborhoods, in a growing themselves and are a source of support for the community of new homes and new fam- congregation. While the congregation grows and ilies. The folks have brought with them some prospers, it never outgrows its early manner of tradition of church attendance and join their new living. With the rapid changes in our modern friends and neighbors in erecting a new church urban life it suddenly finds itself panic stricken. building. For a longer or shorter period of time People are leaving the neighborhood and a differtheir chief occupation is paying the debt and rais- ent class of persons is coming in. Raising money ing the pastor's salary. Some city congregations for local expense and getting new members has not never get beyond that stage. In one communion. succeeded in permeating the community with the Gospel. Money raising devices may have made the over 80 % of the entire income was used for local congregation a nuisance to the small business man. Finally the congregation prepares to move to a expenses, interest, and liquidating debts. The Bible schpol and youth activities, instead of being
THE PRIME NEEDS OF A CITY CHURCH
"more promising" neighborhood. This is a drab tion. People have more leisure and more forms picture, but we need to examine ourselves before of amusement than ever. Amusement resorts proceeding to the building of a constructive pro- cater to capacity crowds but so do our hospitals for gram for action. mental diseases. The Church has a legitimate field in providing the plan and the opportunity for A change of attitude is a prime necessity in a clean pastimes. Music, dramatics and sports are truly Christian program. We read "My house health outlets for pent-up spirits. Folks learn to shall be called a house of prayer for all people." know one another better and are more ready to As a matter of fact, the average Protestant church work together in the serious work of Kingdom is chiefly a "house for the respectable middle building. In one large city church the older men class." We reach neither the very rich nor the were organized into twenty quoit teams. They very poor, although they are there among us. At played every night during the summer, becoming times, groups of congregations make a survey of better acquainted with each other, and in an in- their neighborhoods, but often that gives the indi- formal way, with the program of the church. vidual congregation no accurate picture of its field. Surveys must be made, in order that we may know For nineteen centuries the Christian Church who the people are who live in our parish. has been the St. Elizabeth of the needy. The vast State relief programs have overshadowed the work In every neighborhood there are static as well of the Church. Nevertheless only her persistent as moving elements in the population. Among benevolence has made it possible for the State to those who are static we find the conservative well- carryon on such a colossal scale. What the Church to-do, who were once active in the local church. lacks in funds she possesses in the miraculous Another group could not keep up the pace; they power of multiplying the loaves and the fishes. stayed in the neighborhood, but out of the church. Unemployment has had a devastating effect on In every community there are hidden treasures the life of all classes in the community. Lack of waiting to be turned up. There is a glaring illus- jobs causes lack of funds. Pride has kept many tration in the case of the aged widow in Philadel- former members out of the church. While it is phia for whose millions hundreds of hungry heirs laudable to say "Come whether you have money are squabbling, but for whose soul no church or not," what many really need is a job. Here we seemed to have any concern. have fallen down. Congregational employment committees cooperating with a community Free Having learned the possibilities of a field, the Employment Bureau conducted by the denomina- congregation must look at itself. Having gath- tion have sometimes been the means of finding ered the facts, the congregation must adopt a new work for hundreds in private and public positions. attitude of determination and optimism. First of all, its equipment must not look run down at the Social and economic changes afford the city heel. Many city churches were erected in the days church an opportunity to provide an outlet for the when folks had large families and when every exchange of ideas. In many cases, discussion one went to church. groups have taken the place of old debating clubs. People like to talk about present-day problems. People are conscious of a building that is clean In most congregations, there are one or more col- and well lighted and warm on cold days. lege graduates capable of conducting such a group. One danger is that the pastor may monop- Adequate and decent housing is one of the sta- bilizing factors in a city church. When the newly- oJize the time. Give the people a chance to answer weds can find a modern home close to the old home back. Our Lord had a deep concern for the physi- they will stay. If the family which has risen from cal welfare of the people; Christians may have poverty (are there any such today?) can find a no less. But what of the Gospel? Many sermons more comfortable dwelling among the old neigh- are only husks. The text often provides a peg on . bors they will remain. The church should have a which the preacher hangs his personal views. live interest in the enforcement of housing and What most people want is an authoritative presen- zoning laws, in order that she as well as her neigh- tation of the Scriptures in simple Anglo-Saxon. bors can live happily. It is more constructive to In many cases we have secularized the Church have some unsanitary condition corrected than to with such themes as "Patriotic Grandfathers' pay for the burial expenses of an innocent child Day," "Rocking Chair Sunday," and other cheap victim. tricks to draw a crowd. Worth-while services and messages send folks home with the conviction that People also need to be taught how to live in a they have been with God. home. Despite all the new fangled devices to lighten the "drudgery of housekeeping," nothing A church open every day, ministering to its has yet been invented to take the place of intel- neighbors all the day, is an answer to the prob- ligence. lem. True leadership involves surrounding one- self with an efficient force of workers. Instead of In most parishes in a city, nickelodeons, gramo- phones and player pianos started the process of drying up the wells of wholesome family recrea-
one pastor in a large city church there should be source of lay activity we could turn the ebbing three or four. Experience has shown that not tide in the city churches.
only the unchurched but many of our best work- We also need to cultivate the lost art of singing.
ers are in need of intense pastoral care. Mean- One small city church that we know, with a mem- while the solitary pastor is shackled by a multi-' bership of only 200 had three excellent choirs, an- tude of details that call for trained workers. other larger congregation has fifteen. Not only While every city church has audiences and or- have they served to hold together the group, ganizations, what it needs is worshipers who also spread the appreciation of good music, stimulated are workers, evangelists or deacons in the sense the singing of the congregation, but also they have of Acts 6: 3. City church societies should repre- sung the Gospel into hearts of many.
sent the spirit of Christian fellowship and be the In a community where there are people the training school for volunteer workers. In Ger- prime necessity of the city church is to believe in many the Protestant Church societies have had its mission to permeate and dominate the commu- more than three million volunteers ready at a nity with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, moment's notice for any service. With such a preached, lived and practiced.
Evangelistic Work in Ludhiana Hospital By D. M. PAYNE, Evangelist Memorial Hospital, Ludhiana, Pan;ab CHRISTIAN medical work brings us into been educated in a mission school, and would like touch with all classes of non-Christians- to read the Gospel story over again very carefully. Hindus, Mohammedans and Sikhs. Our ap- He bought a Gospel, and asked her to pray that proach to these people through our medical and as he reads Christ will reveal His full light to him health work is a very effective means of reaching so that he may find salvation and peace of heart. them with the Gospel message. In the hospital, where patients stay for a shorter or longer period, We also found this same earnest seeking after we have a unique opportunity of seeing their re- the truth as revealed in Christ, on the part of a action to the message and of finding out their atti- Hindu whose wife was admitted to the hospital for tude to Christ. Not only the patients, but their several weeks. He bought a Bible saying that he relatives, too, both men and women, have an op- had read it while in a mission school as a boy, but portunity of hearing the message day by day. had paid no attention to its teachings then. Now, however, he was anxious to read it over again very Many these days are buying copies of the Scrip- carefully from beginning to end. Another edutures and seem genuinely anxious to find out about cated Hindu, a master in a high school, whose wife these things for themselves. I think it is not an was in the hospital for some time, said that he exaggeration to say that there is a real spirit of had a Bible at home which he was in the habit of enquiry abroad in India just now on the part of reading to his wife and children. A text hanging many, who are dissatisfied with what their own on the wall of the ward, "The wages of sin is religion has to offer them, and this is causing them death, but the gift of God is eternal life through, to study: the Scriptures and listen with eagerness Jesus Christ our Lord" attracted his attention, and to the message of salvation through Christ. I one day he said, "Will you explain the meaning have, personally, met very few non-Christians of it to me? I have been pondering over it for the during my twelve years of service in this country last two days.'" who are really satisfied with their own religion, and can testify to having found the truth. On the The Hindu doctrine of Karma (salvation by contrary, I have met many who are ready to con- works) is a hopeless one, and it seems that some fess that they are in search of truth. of the thoughtful Hindus are wistfully looking to Christ for salvation that does not depend on the A short time ago the father of one of our Mo- self-effort of weak humanity. Our experienced hammedan patients was listenfng to the Gospel Bible worker, who visits among the "zenana" message while on a visit to his daughter. As the women in the city, reports that among the Hindus Biblewoman was preaching about the death and a number have given up the worship of idols and resurrection of Christ, he exclaimed, "Quite true! long pilgrimages to bathe in the Ganges to remove Quite true!" Afterwards he told her that he had the stain of sin. To some of these she has been
EVANGELIST WORK IN LUDHIANA HOSPITAL
preaching Christ for years. In some instances Him as a prophet, but since I have learnt more of their husbands have joined the Arya Somaj Com- Him during my stay here, I now know that He munity-an advanced sect of Hindus-who, in is the Son of God, and my Saviour from sin." Her spite of having given up idol worship and other eldest son, whose right it is to take the important old customs and superstitions, have still not set- position occupied by his father, refuses to do so tled the sin problem. Many are looking and long- because he says their religious teachers are false, ing for a manifestation of God in the flesh, the and rob the people whom they are supposed to coming of a Divine Being who is perfectly pure teach and shepherd. He says that his "two eyes and holy. Some of the women whom she has been have become four" since reading the Bible. teaching, have accepted Christ. One very significant fact in regard to the atti- The Mohammedans look upon Christ as one of tude of non-Christians towards Christianity, is their prophets, and reverence Him as such, but that they expect a higher standard of love and of do not believe that He died on the Cross to save life from Christians. sinners and think it is blasphemous to speak of Him as the Son of God. However we have come EIGHT CHRISTIAN COLLEGES FOR across a number whose hearing or reading of the WOMEN IN ASIA Word has had considerable effect on them, so that their ideas of Christ as taught them by their own There are eight Union Christian Colleges for religious teachers are changing, and one comes Women in the Far East. St. Christopher'S across many who have come to realize that He is Training College at Madras, India, opened in indeed the Son of God and Saviour of the World, 1923, has now an enrolment of 93 young women although only one here and there has actually with a practice school of 454 pupils. Its gradutaken the step of baptism, while there are a large ates are scattered all over India, teaching in number who are searching the Scriptures and are schools and colleges, in Christian, Hindu and gradually coming into the Light. A Mohammedan, Government institutions. a Police Officer, said to me the other day, Between three and four hundred Japanese "Since I have realized that Christ ..alone of our young women are studying at the Woman's prophets was born of the Holy Spirit, I have felt Christian College of Tokyo. Scholastic training compelled to make a study of His life and claims." is accompanied by practical Christian service.
A Mohammedan student who was in training in Ginling College recently at Nanking, China is our hospital for three and one-half years, recently having a desperate struggle and is operating in came to visit us, and said that the things she three units-one at St. John's College in Shanglearnt of Christ while here she has been passing hai, one at Hwa Chung College and a third at on to others. She said she was working in a part West China University, Chengtu. of the Panjab where many people have not heard the Gospel message, and invited us to go there Yenching College (co-educational) is operatand preach. This we did and found some who are ing within the Japanese lines at Peiping, China. really searching for the truth, and who took The enrolment is smaller than for some years. copies of the Scriptures to read. Others, to whom she had passed on what she had learnt of Christ Cheeloo University (Shantung) has had to as Saviour, are ready to come out on His side, abandon its buildings at Tsinan, but its doctors, and to acknowledge their faith before others in nurses and students are still serving the sufferbaptism. After we returned to Ludhiana a letter ing Chinese. came from a Mohammedan convert, whose home is in that area, begging us to come again, because, Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, India, has he said "The harvest is really ripe." He also enrolled 214 students; these include girls who added, "I explain about Christ, my Redeemer, to have never been out of p1;trdah before coming to the people of my blood, who are really very fond college and girls who haie never been in school of hearing the message," and then goes on to say, before. Its graduates ~re scattered all over "Most of this country is populated by Moham- India. medans, who regard the Lord as prophet. The only thing that is to be done is to get them to The Woman's Christian College at Madras, realize his Omnipotence." India, prepares for medicine and the higher branches of learning. Many of its students take Another hospital patient, the widow of a big graduate work in America or England. religious leader a m 0 n g the Mohammedans through hearing the Christian message daily, de- Missionary Medical College for Women at Velclared that she has given her allegiance to Christ lore, South India, is . .veIl known through the since hearing about these things. To quote her work of Dr. Ida Scudder. Here seventy young own words, she said, "Before coming here I knew women are in training for a life of service in a country where women doctors are especially needed. The roadside clinic run by this medical school serves a large community.
-The Church Woman.
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.~ ij Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE 'vY. McGAvRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'==I===========~='IJi OHRISTMAS GIFTS materials to use; for ways of tions. Use the books that are on working are prepared by the your shelves in a conscious ef- "There is so little we can real- various peace organizations of fort to preserve the will to peace. ly do for peace," mourned a the country. Choose one organrather short-sighted member of ization and keep in touch with it. Oooperate With the Ohildren a women's missionary society. Use as many of its ideas as you can profitably put into effect. in Study "There are, on the contrary," s u g g e s te d another, "several How Many Books on Peace We often fail to have a vital things." relationship between agencies Has Your Library? in the same church, doing the "Such as?" same thing. The following in- "Object to the sale of war toys Public libraries, missionary li- teresting report from a church for children in our neighborhood braries, libraries of the church in Oklahoma shows how a really stores; give some thought to buy- school departments, private li- valuable connection may be ing for your own children books braries, all these should have made. The Primary children which will aid world friendship, some good recent materials on were given the feeling that what and toys that emphasize con- Peace. A very practical thing they themselves were doing was structive enterprises; and think you can do is to have someone of real concern to grown-ups. out a definite way of helping really interested in peace educa- Their study must have gained them to decide to lay aside war tion make a classified list of what added dignity. The adults were toys which may come to them is available and where, and for made familiar with what chilfrom thoughtless relatives and what age groups. The young peo- dren can do in a field quite unfriends." ple might cooperate in this. known to themselves in their The first member had the Late winter is a good time for a own childhood. grace to blush. "Just to do those special reading campaign on the three things would: take more subject. Books may vary from "The Primary children recentthinking and a bit more courage the short but emphatic, "War is ly completed a study of World than I've given the cause of a Racket," by General Smedley Peace based on the course prepeace yet," she admitted frank- D. Butler, to the interesting but pared by Mrs. Elizabeth Loly. "I'm glad you called my rather difficult, "Power of Non- bingier-'Ship East-Ship West' bluff. I'll get busy at it, I prom- Violence," by Richard Gregg. and the accompanying teacher's ise you." Or it may include, "Ship East- guide. This project was carried Ship West," a book for 1st, 2nd on during the departmental ses- What specific task for world and 3rd grade children by Eliza- sions of the Sunday church peace are you laying before your beth Lobingier, which has facts school and a regular weekly group? Is it something each one and stories qui t e interesting meeting of the children of this can do if she has a mind to? Is enough for use with adults to department. Stories, dramatizait something the value of which whom they are unfamiliar. It tions, e x p lor at ion of Bible she will see? Is it something will do mothers and fathers a verses, investigations of facts whose cumulative effect will be real amount of good to read relative to the cost of war, the noticeable? Is it something that some of these new children's creation of peace bridges and demands a bit of courage or de- books on peace. "Broken Guns," other memorials erected between termination? There is something by Eleanor Brainard is another. f r i end I y nations, discussions every person can do. Find it, It is for Junior children. centering around methods of livput it before the group, follow ing together in peaceful relait up and report if possible on In this period when the world tions, were among the activities results. hangs on the edge of general con- of work carried on during this flict it is essential, if we are at study. Make Use of Peace all interested in ultimate peace, Organizations that we use the written word to "At the close of their work keep people's minds turned to together, the chi 1d r en had Many excellent and detailed the possible ways of cooperative charge of the peace program of suggestions for programs on dealing with each other as na- the Women's Missionary Society peace; for lines of action; for of their church. At that time the [598 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
things which they had learned Peace in an exhibit being sponsored by and done during their study to- the group. gether were shared with the Peace in our time, 0 Lord, older members of their church To all the peoples-Peace! (3) Some young people, wantin a most effective way. Peace surely based upon Thy Will And built in righteousness. ing to make quoted material viv- "As a concrete expression of id, memorized a paragraph each their interest in world peace, the Thy power alone can break and gave it, in proper sequence boys and girls are packing two The fetters that enchain with all the dignity, emphasis suitcases to be sent to the Com- The sorely-stricken soul of life, mittee on World Friendship And make it live again. and effectiveness they could com- Among Children – one for a mand. Voices which contrasted Spanish girl, and the other for a Too long mistrust and fear and personal characteristics Spanish boy. While this study Have held our souls in thrall; which differed gave emphasis to as such has been completed, the Sweep through the earth, keen breath it and helped prevent any feelleaders of this group feel that ing of monotony. much more can be discovered of heaven, about this subject, and will con- And sound a nobler call! (4) One group wanting to tinue to carry the peace emphasis in their church program."- Come, as Thou didst of old, reach the larger church body, In love so great that men with the cooperation of the pas- Mrs. Grant Truman, Supt. of the Shall cast aside all other gods tor printed a paragraph in the And turn to Thee again! church bulletin e a c h week. Primary Department. Church members were urged to 0, shall we never learn Are your adults familiar with The truth all time has taught,- save the bulletins and reread as the mission study being carried That without God as architect a whole the entire message thus out by younger groups in the Our building comes to naught? given them. church? Are they helping the children and young people to feel Lord, help us, and inspire (5) Another group sends out that these things they are study- Our hearts and lives, that we ing are more than just matters May build, with all Thy wondrous an occasional valuable piece of of childhood interest? Why not material by mail to every memplan various occasions when the gifts, ber on the roll. It is mimeochildren's leader can say to the A Kingdom meet for Thee! graphed, as is the short accomchildren, "The· women of the panying letter, and goes for very missionary society (or the men Peace in our time, 0 Lord, little postage. of the Bible class) are interested To all the peoples-Peace! in this, too. They are working Peace that shall build a glad new You might use the paragraphs at it. Would you like to go to their next meeting and tell them world, below in one of these ways. And some of the interesting and And make for life's increase. keep on the lookout for vivid and worth-while things. we have dis- helpful and forceful quotations covered?" The sense of oneness o Living Christ, who still from other sources for similar in the great world-wide task of use. To stimulate thinking is the Church which results from Dost all our burdens share, among the most important of the such interchange is valuable in itself. It also strengthens each COofmaellnmowenanedvedrwywelhl ewreit!h*in the hearts tasks of missionary education. group participating. How Use Quotations "War is not born in a field or be- Sing Hymns of Peace hind a wall, or in a drafting room. Below you will find some very It is born in the mind of a man, or in We have had few hymns in our pertinent paragraphs on the the minds of many men. It is later on actual worship which are def- causes of war and the creation that it becomes bombs and cannon and initely related to a desire for of attitudes toward peace. They the tread of men on the march. peace. It is time we were using are part of an article by W. W. some of them. Reid. "While ideas that give rise to war are allowed to germinate in the human A comparatively new hymn One wishes that all the mem- mind-and are carefully incubated by by John Oxenham, sung to the bers of one's missionary group popular ignorance, by a jingo press, tune so familiar to us all, "Dia- or of the church might have by all the proponents of greed, hate, demata" or "Crown Him with them. There are several ways fear and jealousy, by a warped mili- in which different Qrganizations tarism and 'patriotism,' and, also, too Many Crowns" is given here.* have secured general reading of often in the schoolroom and in the such paragraphs. pulpit-we may fully anticipate the • Printed copies of it may be obtained only known fruit of such germination: from A. Weekes and Co., Ltd., 13-14, Han- (1) Mimeographed copies of wars, more wars, and worse wars. over St., London, W. 1. gngland. Send an similar material was prepared international postal money order for 2 sbil- for one meeting. Its unison "Treaties, solemn pledges, high relings and 6 pence (about sixty cents) for 250 reading was planned as part of solves and reason are powerless before copies. Or for 500 copies send 3 shillings the program. Each member was the causes of war found in the human and 6 pence. The notation says post free. asked to take it home and medi- mind. Until the mind of a whole But you might suggest in YOUI' letter that tate further upon it. world-wide generation is changed, we if postage to foreign countries is extra, they cannot hope for lasting peace. An deduct it from the amount and spnd fewer (2) A member of one group 'embargo' is but war with newer copies. made a series of posters each weapons! Increased armaments pro- carrying in vivid lettering a voke added hate and fear-new causes short paragraph. She used these of conflict! Physical disarmament- in presenting a short talk on the without disarmament of mind and theme. The posters were later spirit-leaves us like our ancestors used, placed in consecutive order who yet warred without the tools of modern combat! • Copyright by The Ohristian Centwry In 1,000 Quotable Poems. Used by permission. "To keep any generation out of war, we must teach it a new philosophy. The whole strength of school, home,
church and the channels of public very familiar one "Uncle Sam box of hanging-tinsel was pro- OpInIOn must be geared together in Needs You," (The picture of vided but by common consent, this educational task-as they now Uncle Sam pointing straight at not used. Some of the mothers gear together when war is to be pro- you). Find a contrast such as and fathers had bought a couple moted. The new teaching emphasis the Poster of the Emergency of strings of electric lights. must be a p p 1i e d simultaneously Peace Campaign of 1937-1938, throughout the world: for peace can- "For What?" (A young man What was the point? They not reign anywhere while the roots of were preparing their gift to a conflict grow in any land. tied to the mouth of the cannon.) near-by city mission, so that the Arrange these against s 0 m e children there might have a tree "One remembers the technique of to enjoy, which was just the fitting the American mind into a war background the size, shape and same tree as they had enj oyed. program in 1917. . . . The success color of an army blanket, with If you could have heard the joy- of that propaganda is now history…. 1917 in large letters over one, ful, "I think they'll like this But if these same instruments of ornament!" and "We'll let them propaganda are used to promote peace, and 1937-38 over another. Be- put on the tinsel-hanging be- they can just as readily-perhaps tween them run the legend. cause we might lose some if we more readily-insure understanding "War is futile. Help us find the used it now," or "It's the nicest and appreciation and cooperation, and Christian way." tree we ever had!" Personal? war will be impossible. Their pride and happiness in it N ow for the display of your had no bounds. It was some- "Suppose we have a misunderstand- contrasts.1 Mounted on beaver thing far more than a gesture of ing, or difference of opinion, or an eco- board, they may be slid one at a giving. Every thing on it had nomic or territorial dispute with some time across an opening in your been selected with the idea of foreign power. Suppose our news- s tag e curtains-dramatically giving delight. papers have their best journalists pre- Rent equally well both sides of the dif- lighted-with the audience in All cannot have children give ference. Suppose the cartoonists, the the dark-as part of a program decorated Christmas trees. But movie men, the radio announcers, the on peace. you can arrange for whatever teachers in their classes, the preachers personal gift they are making at in their pulpits, and the orators of 2. Hire an empty store and set Christmas to have in its prep- all parties extol the virtues of the up the display for Friday and aration, and completion, the .. people with whom we differ; picture same thoughtfulness, and delight the good of their civilization, their Saturday. Hang curtains over in sharing. artistic contribution to mankind, the the windows till you are ready reasonableness of their point of view- to display. In this event you A Look at Future Plans perhaps their very needs for new will want to have an easily-read lands to feed increasing- populations. statement on your group's atti- Pages such as these must be Suppose dolls representing the chil- tude toward war where the win- planned months ahead. There dren of that land replaced guns and dow gazers can read it after are so many lines along which tin soldiers as toys; its pictures and looking at the posters. Someone we might search for effective songs and stories were used from kin- might smash the window, so be methods of working! dergarten to college; the theatres and prepared to pay damages. schools gave plays and displays re- You will find a wealth of in- countin~ that land's history and cus- A Very Personal Gift teresting and helpful suggestion toms' and aspirations. In fact, sup- among the following themes to nose every agency thought and worked Feeling that the children's giv- which we hope to be able to give for peace and understanding. prominence in the months men- ing at Christmas was not very tioned. "In such an atmosphere, commis- sions representing both countries could personal, a Junior Superintend- January-General Plans. easily reach a conclusion of the diffi- February-How to Make Effective culty that would be satisfactory to all. ent planned a bit of Christmas Recourse to arms would be un- Contacts with Missionaries, Mis- dreamed of. sharing in a new way. They sion Leaders and Nationals. March-The Local Church and Its "This is not a small task. Rather themselves always had a Christ- Missionary Program. it is the greatest task of the human April-Various Matters of Interest. race, the task of all governments and mas tree at their Christmas May-Plans for Summer Effective- of all peoples thinking and working ness. cooperatively. It is not to be attained party. Thig year they saved June-Helps for the Home Missions without cost. Into its cost govern- Study. ments will have to transfer many of money to buy an extra big one. July-Visual Education in Missions. the millions now spent in war-produc- Septembm'-Effective Publicity for ing armaments. It was left without a decoration Missionary Events. October-Helps for Our Foreign Mis- "What if one generation today on it. sions Study. 'sacrifices' all its pomps and vanities N ovember-Stewardship. that a thousand coming generations As the boys. and girls arrived December-The Enrichment of the may live!" Devotional Life. for the party, each carried some Twenty Years After Have you used effective meth- Christmas tree ornament or dec- ods along these lines? If so, kind- Rolled away in somebody's at- ly let the Department Editor tic in your town are some of oration. It was either a new one hear of them. those wonderful war posters of 1917-1918. They were superb in chosen and bought by the child their appeal. Emotionally they did just what they were intended especially for this occasion, or it to do. was one in good condition from Why not use them now for peace education? Here's how! his own home tree. .
Choose a poster such as the What fun they had decorating that tree. Some time was spent making extra decorations. A 1 Various posters against war may be bought from The National Council for Pre- vent:on of "-ar. 532 Seventeenth St.. N. W .. Washington. D. C. Write for descriptions and prices.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~'================~ij THE STRANGER IN OUR MIDST-THE MIGRANT!
"Away in the Manger, finds in some instances sixteen They Starve That We No crib for his bed . persons living in a one-room May Eat t shack; the only drinking water TTamp-Tramp-Tramp available that which is sold from Shall this continue to be true a filling station at five cents a or will you, and you, and you, Can you hear the Migrants as quart; a destitute mother and who eat fresh and canned vegethey move across the country in baby shipped as freight half-way tables and fruits gathered for search of shelter, employment, across the country to join a hus- you by the Migrants become schools for their children, hospi- band in an endless trek of six- their champion! It is imperative talization for the ill members of week jobs and twelve-week peri- that we as Christians and as their families; for sanitation, ods of looking for it! citizens see that the more than simple justice from individuals two million Migrants in America like you and me who eat the veg- For generations this condition have the right to work and live etables they gather. On foot, in has existed-ever since railroads as human beings. old cars, in and under freight and refrigerators made it postrains many come great dis- sible for neighborhood markets SIX A. M. AT THE NURSERY tances in expectation of short- to obtain tropical fruits in Jantime jobs gathering peas, beans, uary and vegetables the year Does Your Church Know? tomatoes, lettuce, cranberries, around. asparagus, cotton, sugar beets, How the Council of Women apricots, hops, and other vege- Recent years have added for Home Missions, representing tables, small fruits, and fisheries greatly to the number of Mi- twenty-three national women's here and elsewhere. grants due to floods, droughts, denominational Boards is at- share-cropper eviction, and most tempting to meet this problem? Through the pressure of pub- recently the tractor. Where the If not, make it your business to lic opinion the families of the tractors are appearing the rural secure for your pastor, your city slums can turn to the clinic, landscape is strewn with abanthe visiting nurse, the relief doned houses. Residents in west- • Quoted from an artiCle on Migrants by agencies, the school, or the ern Texas explain as they point: Paul ·S. Taylor, of the University of Calichurch and receive help because "There used to be two families fornia, entitled "What Shall We Do with they are members of an organ- out there. The tractor got both Them ?" April, 1938. ized community. But not so with the Migrant families – always SUPPER FOR THE FAMILY OF ELEVEN t "They Starve that We May Eat" is the "strangers in our midst." Un- These meals must be prepared in the early protected by law he is barely in title of a valuable booklet on Migrant work the consciousness of the public. morning before going to the fields compiled by Edith E. Lowry, and published Public opinion is not aroused to by the Missionary Education Movement and the :plight of this segment of of them. . . . That farm has the Councll of Women for Home Missions, Amedcan life. As a result one made a living for a family ever price 35 cents. since the land was broke. . . . The tractors are keeping our families from making a living." * [ 601 ]
Barbara Green make out someway until tomorrow al- would like to read something. He said though Dorothy had cried all night; he would and picked out Peter Rabbit. STORY HOUR FOLLOWS WORSHIP and they had no money. . . . Worker It was a sight to see him sitting there, AT TEN O'CLOCK saw the county doctor in —. He absorbed, mouthing his way through is not too vitally interested, but told a book he should have been able to Missionary Society President, her to use bread and milk poultice and read with ease seven or eight years your Sunday School Superin- bring Dorothy to him tomorrow and ago. But at least he can read it now tendent, and your young people's he would make no charge. Worker and that is something." leader full information by writ- told Father this on way back. If he ing to the Council of Women for does not see to it, perhaps worker will "A large majority of the children Home Missions, 297 Fourth take her." in these camps do not attend school. Avenue, New York, N. Y. What Of course they do not want to attend a force for public opinion we "We had a rummage sale. Many and, as a superintendent of one of the could be if every church made of the parents came. It gave them a schools said, 'If they did all come I the story of the Migrant a con- chance to see the Center as well as don't know where we would put them.' cern of that entire church! get clothing for the family. Most But they do not all come and never articles were sold for 5 cents, a few will unless local communities make a The following excerpts are things were 10 cents. Some of the point of seeing that they come by enfrom reports of the fifty-three parents said, looking around, 'No won- forcing compulsory school attendance." projects in thirteen states where der the kids like to come here so the Council of Women for Home well!' " "We were all ready for our trip to Missions with the aid of trained the Museum. The group of ten was volunteers has been a construc- Barbara Green just a good number. First we went to tive force in the life of the CLEAN-UP COMES JUST BEFORE LUNCH! the Park, and for awhile the boys kept Migrant: busy at the playground. We had "Today I had an extensive talk with lunch near the pond. The one diffi- Christmas Eve in a Cotton Claire on religion, I, a Baptist and she culty was that the boys wanted to Camp a Catholic. Her interest and knowl- catch the goldfish in the pond. They edge were astounding. The conversa- roamed around and looked at the vari- "We came to play Santa Claus in a tion was not one of proselyting, but ous things in the park, and then we small way-in a small way of neces- rather one of sharing. Religious con- all walked down to the Children's sity because of the almost insurmount- versation is not in any degree so taboo Museum. We saw colored slides of able task that is presented. Proper here as on the college campus. . . . the West first, and then movies of the clothing, nourishing food, warm As young as they are we get into good desert, South America, and the Far shelter. The cabins are built on the discussions on religion. They told me West. The boys were really interested ground and with rough boards covered today that they thought I would go to and enjoyed the exhibits. They seemed with dirt for the floor. An old garbage heaven even though I didn't tell my to be quite enthusiastic about the can turned upside down serves for a sins to a priest." whole trip. . . . At eight o'clock the stove, and a pile of cotton with a piece children's choir sang one of their new of canvas thrown over it is known as "Our men were forced to strike this songs for devotion and did very well. the bed. This is the winter home of morning When 'thousands' of cars … The dance later in the evening four children and their parents who came tearing in to drive them out of was a huge success, though there was pick cotton when the weather permits. the fields. They are striking for a some tension when the orchestra did . . . From churches, Missionary So- fifty-cent raise for the pickers. We not arrive on time. Someone esticieties and other organizations have stuck around until the tobacco in the mated that there were four hundred come toys, clothing and food which is shed was all used up then went home. people there as dancers or spectators." distributed to every household. . . . If . . . Back to work this morning. The those who have contributed could have boys only got a twenty-five-cent raise. "Workers were putting the rest of heard the cries of joy and glee, and . . . They didn't want the strike in the children to sleep, while B, M, and seen how tickled these children were the first place. These people certainly J were doing dishes. When they went as we handed the gifts to them from ought to be organ'zed that they may out they found a note on the, refrigour trucks they would, I am sure, feel better understand their needs. But erator, 'Dear teachers, we have moped fully repaid and realize that their sac- first of all must come education. Four every bit of the kitchen flour. It is rifices were not in vain." boys accused of leading our strike real clean. B-M-J.''' were fired." "Dorothy has a badly infected "We fold our hands and softly say finger. Worker stopped to see her "Jack is a bright looking lad of fif- Mother and urged her to take Dor- teen. The worker asked him if he Thanksgiving for our food this day." othy to the doctor. The mother said she had been told she would have to Don't have your concert first, and then tune your instrument; begin the day with the Word of God, and get into harmony with Him.-J. Hudson Taylor.
Christmas Story for
A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN never had opportunity to talk it White ought to tell it, since he BETHLEHEM with some one his own age. is a real teacher," said Micah's mother. By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK Although he felt very shy, he approached the man and "N0," said Dr. White. "You Micah had anxiously watched asked timidly, "Please, may I come from people with a rich the sky all afternoon. An air- help carry your bags?" tradition in poetry and beauty. plane had sailed by, but even It will be wonderful to hear you that failed to shake his gloom. "You speak English!" cried tell the Christmas story." The clouds remained and he the little girl. "Do you live was very much disappointed. here ?" So, after they had eaten a Tonight was the night of light meal at the inn, they went nights! For weeks now he had "Yes, I do. My mother, fa- to the roof. The air was melprayed that his father's busi- ther and I will be here for one low and the wind gentle alness would continue in the little or two weeks more," responded though it was December;, but town of Bethlehem until Christ- Micah. there were no stars to be seen mas Day. The prayer had been in the clouded sky. granted, for it was Christmas "Well," said the fat her, Eve and he was still in Bethle- "that's fine. We'll be here for "In America," said Joan, hem. a few days. This is Mrs. White, "perhaps there is snow on the this is Joan and I'm Dr. White." ground now. The Christmas "Oh," he sighed, "if only the trees will be lighted and the stars would shine tonight, so "My name is Micah," replied shop windows gaily decorated that I can watch the sky and the boy with a low bow. in red and green. And, oh, it look for the Star of Bethlehem. will be very cold in many parts How happy I should be!" His Just then his mother came of America. Just think, next mother had promised to take out and met his new acquaint- Christmas I shall be there! How him to the roof of the inn where ances. Mrs. White had just much I will love to tell my they were staying. There she come from a visit to the school friends there about this Christwould tell him the ancient story in Baghdad w her e Micah's mas in Bethlehem. I can't beof many generations ago when mother had once been a pupil; lieve this is really Bethlehem her forefathers had been shep- so they chatted together like old and that it is Christmas Eve. herds in the hills. It would be friends, speaking of teachers It seems like a dream." She wonderful to hear the Christ- and places they both knew. laughed. "These s t ran g e mas story in the town of Beth- mosques and minarets and low lehem itself. But none of this When rooms for the White houses look just like the picwould be possible if it rained, family were found and their tures on Christmas cards at or if the clouds hid the stars. luggage arranged, Joan said: home." Dusk was rapidly falling and the "We are going to walk through clouds remained. the streets of Bethlehem, even "Tomorrow," ask e d Micah, Micah gazed sadly down the if it rains. Coming to Bethle- "will you tell me about Christroad. The sight and sound of mas in America? Mother has an approaching automobile in- hem is my Christmas present terested him, although since his from mother and father. Won't told me about Santa Claus, father was a traveling mer- you come with us?" Christmas trees and the hangchant, he had seen more cars and ing up of stockings. I want to had journeyed more than most Micah's mother looked very hear more about them." Arabian boys. The automobile thoughtful. "I am ashamed to stopped at the inn and Micah have to say this, for it is partly "All right," answered Joan, watched an American lady, a the fault of my people, the man and a little girl about his Arabs; but it is not safe to "but I want to hear about own age get out, laughing mer- walk in the streets of Bethle- Bethlehem now." rily and talking English. This hem when it is dark, even on was very exciting to Micah, be- Christmas night. There are "It is a very simple story," cause his mother, who had been many street fights. Please do began Micah's mother, "one educated at a Christian school not go. It is already dark." that you have heard over and in Baghdad had taught him English. He often talked that "Mother, couldn't they come over, but I will tell it to you as language with her and with the up to the roof over our rooms? it has been told in my family British soldiers, but he had We could watch the sky while from the beginning many, many you tell us the story of the shep- generations ago. I come from herds," pleaded Micah. a long line of Bedouins, or wan- dering shepherds. They lived "Oh, yes," cried Joan, "that would be lovely." in tents made of dark woolen cloth which they threw over "I don't think that I should be the one to tell the story. Dr.
[603 ]
long frames, leaving a flap of afraid and covered their heads ing others there of the birth of cloth tied to a pole which they Jesus. used as a door. Like all shep- with their long tunics. But the herds they spent very little time "King Herod heard the report angel of the Lord appeared and and wondered what it meant. in their tents; they preferred to Later some Wise Men came from lie on the hillside day and night told them of the birth of a baby the East and said tbey had seen watching their sheep and look- a wonderful star. They asked: ing at the stars, and thinking that was wrapped in swaddling 'Where is the newborn king of about the God who made them. the Jews, for we have seen his clothes and was lying in a man- star in the East and are come to "Hundreds of years ago to- worship him?' Herod was frightnight a little group of Jewish ger where cattle were usually ened when he heard of this and shepherds were lying on the sent for the Jewish priests and hills near here. It had been an fed. Then the whole chorus of .unusual day and it was a teachers to ask them about the strange night. The sheep were heavenly angels sang as with old prophecy that told of the restive. The camel trails had one great voice of praise: 'Glory coming of a Jewish Messiah. been much used by strangers all Then he told the Wise Men to go morning and afternoon. for the to God in the highest and on to Bethlehem to look for the decre~ of the Roman Emperor, child. Cresar Augustus, was that all earth peace, good will toward the descendents of King David "As they traveled on, the star should bring their tribute to men.' appeared again and the Wise Bethlehem. So, many travelers Men were filled with great joy. came from as far away as Leb- "As suddenly as they came, They followed where it seemed anon and Jericho and Nazareth to point until they came to a to the ancient City of David. the angels went away again; the house in Bethlehem where they found the young child with Mary "The shepherds knew of the sky became as before, and a old prophecy that a Messiah his mother and they, too, wor- great silence surrounded them. shipped him." would someday be born in Bethlehem who would deliver his The shepherds were no longer *** people. They thought of it as they lay silently watching the afraid. They talked with one Here Micah's mother stopped sky. As tonight, clouds rolled speaking and looked up into the over it. Suddenly strange mu- another of their vision and de- sky. All the others looked up, sic was heard in the distance. cided that certain of them would too. The clouds had passed and The shepherds looked at one a lovely, bright star was shining another shaking their heads. go to Bethlehem and see if they Something wonderful was about over them. to happen, of that they were could find the wonderful child. "Oh," cried Micah in joy, "the sure. "Some of the shepherds went star! See the star!" "All at once, just after dark- "Just think," whispered Joan, ness had grown soft and black down the hills and made inquiras velvet, the heavens became "this might have been the very very bright around them with ies until they found the baby in spot." a strangely brilliant light. The shepherds were very m u c h the stable of the inn at Bethle- "Yes," said Micah. Doesn't hem. He was wrapped in swad- that star seem to be pointing here?" dling clothes, with Mary his "That is because the Star of mother beside him and her hus- Christ is shining in our hearts," murmured Dr. White. band Joseph seated near by. The humble shepherds bowed down and worshipped this child, who was called Jesus, of whom the messengers from heaven had told them. .
"Then the shepherds returned to their flocks, full of wonder at what they had seen. For many days they told the story of their vision, and their finding of the Christ child to travelers who stopped in the hills to refresh themselves and to fill the i r waterjugs. Some of these trav- elers went on,to Jerusalem, tell~
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA try area all the churches have were removed, the bottles care- been slowly dying, with only one fully washed, then a tract or "A Reaching Mission" left that has a pastor who comes Gospel penny portion placed in every second week for a serv- within, after which the bottles Protestant pastors in Philadel- ice. It has been years since any were sealed and consigned to the phia, having had a preaching thorough pastoral work has been sea. This is no small-town enmission and a teaching mission, done there. The result is that terprise. Sometimes as many as have now embarked upon a there is not one person under 2,500 bottles go into Chesapeake "reaching" mission. Ministers thirty years of age in the area Bay at a single launching. of 22 denominations have adopt- that has made a Christian coned a program of pastoral and fession and united with any Thus, the bottles once containcongregational evangelism, and church. This is true of another ing evil spirits, now are filled by unanimous resolution declare community in the western part with the spirit of the Gospel. that "the supreme task of the of the state. church is bringing men, women, -Bible Society Record. boys and girls into personal fel- The Gospel in Bottles lowship with the living Christ. Crusade Against Liquor There is no solution of problems Near the waterfront in Balti- Advertising other than the Christ way of more, Md., is a small lunchroom life." bearing the sign "Mike's Place." The National Temperance and This might suggest the under- Prohibition Council is urging all President Walter Greenway, world, but the presiding genius temperance forces to unite for of Beaver College, who proposed is a devoted Christian Italian the suppression of liquor adverthe plan, originally developed who has hit upon a unique meth- tising in newspapers, magazines, this program in a rural church od to spread the GospeL Mi- over the radio and by all other of 100 members, enlarged and chael Coscia was born over a means. An undertaking of this found it effective in a town saloon kept by his father. His magnitude will require concerted church of 500, and finally tested associates as he grew up were effort, hence the Council, comit thoroughly in two Philadelphia the type who loaf in barrooms. posed of 27 organizations seems churches, each of which as a re- When he was past thirty there the logical force to carry forsult grew from few members to came a day when life took on a ward the project. Protesting to over 2,000. The program sug- new meaning for Mike, and he the owners and managers of gests preparation for the pastor felt an urge to preach the Gos- radio stations, to the editors and and the entire congregation, out- pel, but realizing his handicaps, publishers of newspapers and lines methods of publicity and he looked for another method to magazines advertising intoxicatthrough it all stresses the su- proclaim the message than from ing liquors, and laboring for the preme preparation by the Holy a pulpit. After he had estab- enactment of legislation to stop Spirit. Its flexibility permits it lished his lunchroom, he placed liquor advertising are the lines to be used successfully in any de- a Bible verse on the roof, where along which the Council will dinomination or congregation. The it could be seen by thousands rect its efforts.-S. S. Times. ministers of the city have been who transact business in the tall asked to spend from 9 to 9: 15 buildings near by. Irreligion in Films each morning in intercession for one another and for the churches Mike's next inspiration came Rt. Rev. John T. McNicholas, in this outreaching enterprise. from finding every morning Catholic Archbishop of Cincin- scores of empty whiskey, gin nati, spokesman for the "Legion -The Christian Century. and wine bottles scattered of Decency," says that effort is around Market Place. Of course, being made in recent pictures to Godless Spots they were gathered by the white spread ideas antagonistic not wings, so that for most of the only to Christian morality, but Harold C. Loughhead has sur- day the streets were clean. But to all religion. He warns film veyed a number of areas in rural Mike saw in these empty bottles producers that they have an in- Pennsylvania, and has discov- a great opportunity. He and his escapable responsibility to safeered some amazing facts about family began to gather the bot- guard the moral welfare of the this supposed stronghold of tles daily, like the manna. Labels public by putting before them Christianity. In one open coun- right patterns of thought and [605 ] conduct.
It was the American Cath- vestigation has discovered that aries was that of transportation. olic's Legion of Decency that Chinese percentage of delin- During the summer travel becompelled a radical change in quency is the lowest of any racial tween villages is more difficult the tone of motion pictures by or sectional group, the ratio be- than in the winter. The only a boycott, launched in 1934. ing almost negligible. Chinese means of transportation in many Now the Legion is viewing with teachers, questioned by the in- places. is by dog team and sledge grave apprehension the various vestigators, said that the reason over the frozen ~round. Small subtle attempts to employ the for this remarkable showing is a boats can ply the rivers and the film to project irreligious points precept of Confucius: "The mis- sea coast, but they are inadeof view-films that portray, ap- conduct of the child is the fault quate, very inconvenient, slow, provingly, concepts rooted in of the parent." Every Chinese irregular and costly. Only the philosophies attacking the Chris- child is made to understand that villages along water routes can tian faith. his misdemeanor in public brings be contacted thus in summer disgrace not only on himself but while the regions beyond are -Dayton Daily News. on his family, and the severest neglected. punishment is to "lose face." Iowa School for Missionaries Traveling by dog teams has United Church of Canada also its hazards. Many "mush- The first Iowa School for Mis- Crusade ers" have been caught out on the sionaries will be held January 23 tundra, many miles from the to February 18, 1939, at the Iowa The United Church of Canada nearest cabin in a blizzard and State College, Ames, Iowa. The is conducting a quarter-million then he will have to make a camp courses offered are Sociology and fellowship crusade during the and dig himself and his dogs into Rural Organization, Family Life last ten weeks of 1938, including a snow drift until the storm and Health, Agricultural and a recall to worship of all its abates. Another danger is from Rural Education, Foods and Nu- membership and a campaign for the packs of hungry wolves rovtrition and Agriculture. There a quarter of a million new sup- ing the tundra. Even if the will be afternoon conferences porters. This Church stands "musher" is armed he and his and field trips to near-by com- fourth in per capita giving dogs are an easy prey for the munities, schools and parishes. among the 2'5 leading denomina- hungry wolves. A special two-day conference on tions of North America. Rural Missions Work will be The airplane is a fast and a held over one of the week-ends In the last Canadian census convenient way to travel in during the school session. The the people listing themselves as Alaska. The plane can land on school is in charge of a commit- of the United Church numbered the water, when equipped with tee from the faculties of Agri- more than two million, or one in pontoons, on the snow-covered culture and Home Economics of five of the dominion population. tundra, when equipped with skiis which Professor R. H. Porter is Of these, the members in com- or on one of the many airfields chairman. Dr. Porter was for a munion are less than 700,000; kept in good condition by the number of years a member of of these the regular supporters Government. the faculty of the College of by envelope amount to 235,000; Agriculture and Forestry of the and those who also contribute to This mission has purchased a University of Nanking, China. missionary and benevolent en- Fairchild plane with a Warner- The only expenses to students terprises amount to only 110,000. Scarab 145 horsepower engine, will be for board and room. Mis- seating three persons besides the sionaries who expect to attend -The Christian Century. pilot. It has a cruising range of the school are requested to send 500 miles with a speed of 125 in their names as soon as pos- A Missionary Airplane for miles an hour and can climb sible to Professor R. M. Vif- Alaska 16,000 feet, crossing anyone of quain, Room 122 N, Agricultural the Alaska mountain ranges. It Hall, Iowa State College, Ames, The natives of Alaska will be is equipped with all the neces- Iowa.* visited during this winter by an sary instruments for blind fly- airplane which the Evangelical ing, including a radio, all in- How Chinese Check Mission Covenant Church of spected by the U. S. Government. Delinquency Chicago has recently sent to The trip from Chicago to Seattle Nome. When the old "sour- (Z300 miles) was made in 21 There are about 3,000 Chinese doughs" used to call preachers hours, at 12,000 feet altitude. boys. and girls in the New York "sky pilots" they did not realize From Seattle it was shipped to area. During the past eight that in the future the preacher Nome as the fog was too thick years there have been among would come dropping down from on the coast to fly all the way. them only two cases of juvenile the clouds with a message from delinquency. A recent court in- above. The plane will be stationed at Bandle, a village on the Arctic • A descriptive folder of the school may In the summer of 1937, the Circle, where a new work was be had on request, either to Professor Vlf- Covenant Mission sent its secre- opened last summer. The Misquain or to the Rural Missions Cooperating tary to the Alaska missions and sion Covenant has work in sev- Committee, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, he found that one of the prob- enteen larger villages and beside New York. lems confronting the mission- the six missionaries employ a
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
number of native evangelists. THE' ALASKA Scriptures, and where members During the last three years, five MISSIONARY of evangelical churches had been new churches have been built arrested on charges of subverand one parsonage. When the AIRPLANE sive activities. It was definitely plane becomes a weekly visitor known that this was due to presto the unevangelized regions the Put in service at sure on the part of the bishops work should quickly expand. Nome, September 27, of the Catholic Church. 1938. Will1>e piloted THE REV. G. E. JOHNSON. by Rev. Paul Ben- Representatives of the Amer- jamin Franklin Carl- ican Bible Society and the Brit- LATIN AMERICA son. On picture to ish and Foreign Bible Society right is the Secretary sought and secured a personal Human Salvage in Mexico of Missions of the interview with the proper gov- Covenant-Rev. Gust. ernment authority. This official Although the Salvation Army assured the Bible Society agents has work in some 80 countries, E. Johnson that the sale of Scriptures could political conditions in Mexico not be prohibited, since the Conmade it seem practically impos- he~dquarters, and the office cre- stitution of the republic granted sible for the Army to enter. But ated for the purpose has been in liberty both of worship and of a young Mexican, a former gov- contact with young people's commerce, but that the Governernment official and communist groups in every Latin American ment would not tolerate political leader, was converted, and with- country, trying to find out their propaganda. Assurance was givout knowing anything of the Sal- viewpoints and other prelim- en him that absolute abstention vation Army or its methods, inaries. The Congress will be from all political activity was began to work in the slums of held in 1940, probably in Lima, required of their colporteurs by Mexico City among drunkards Peru. Political conditions might both Bible Societies, and that and other human wreckage, on require the selection of another any breach of this rule led to inlines similar to those used by the city for the meeting. stant dismissal. The Minister, Army. who asked for a copy of the Bi- -World Dominion Press. ble for his own use, then ordered Street meetings were held in that a circular be sent to every defiance of the law, and when How to Handle Crime Problem Prefect in the republic. arrested this young man and his helpers continued to preach in Federal and State govern- – World Dominion Press. jail. The transformed lives that ments might make a note of the resulted convinced the govern- way the present government of An Evangelistic Odyssey ment of the value of this work, Guatemala handles its vice proband it was allowed to continue lems. Too often there is neglect A house on wheels is a novelty unmolested. This spontaneous in permitting marijuana cigar- in Colombia. The Gospel bus, movement has now been in- ette peddlers to hang around provided by Sunday School tegrated with the world organi- our high schools, but Guatemala Easter offerings and other gifts, zation of the Salvation Army. authorities hound down these was greeted along the road with ghouls and make their business this exclamation, Ave Maria -World Dominion Press. one of high crime. With the ex- purissima! Que es eso? (Hail, cellent police system, the crim- Mary, most pure! What's that?) Young People's Congress inal is most likely to be caught The bus accommodates about promptly, and alas for him if twelve people, seated on benches For several years evangelical convicted. and boxes, but on occasion more leaders of young people in Latin than twenty have crowded in America have been hoping for a Some years ago a German and listened to the Gospel story. Congress for young evangelicals merchant undertook to introduce from all the republics. The need the opium vice into Guatemala. Rev. Pryor T. Smith tells in of stronger ties among young He dropped with a thud into Colombia Clippings of some of Christians; interchange of ex- public contempt as a result, and periences; a united attitude to- his application for an importawards moral, spiritual and social tion permit was promptly turned problems; the creation of a down. Reform in Guatemala is strong force which may impress not a mere vaporous election by its idealism; and an effort to slogan for political purposes save Latin America from insta- only, but is handled calmly and bility are some of the reasons vigorously. which make the Congress a vital need. -Guatemala News.
The first River Plate Congress Scripture Distribution in Peru of young people met last year in Rosario, Argentina, and from it Early this year a number of came the formal decision to or- cases were reported where colganize the Latin American Con- porteurs had been prohibited by gress. Rosario was chosen as local officials from selling the
the difficulties encountered. Upon found anywhere. It is interest- Ethiopia when the Italian conarriving in a town, the bus is ing to recall a stanza from John quest was completed were asked parked in the plaza. Soon a Oxenham's famous poem of trib- to depart at once, and no foreign crowd of the curious is assem- ute to Livingstone: Jews have been allowed to settle bled, and often some burly ruf- there since May, 1936. The Jews fian will order the bus out of He passed like light across the dark- in Italy are roughly estimated at town, while others cheer him on. ened land, 44,000, and among them are a Sometimes the tires are punc- number who have recently fled tured, or a fictitious tax is im- And dying, left behind him this com- from Austria. posed for selling literature. But mand, in Yarumal business men filled -Alliance Weekly. the bus and bristled with ques- "The door is open! So let it ever tions about Protestant beliefs. stand!" Calvinism in Hungary As soon as one group left another took their place, and then Full mightily wrought he. Reformed Churches in eastern a third group kept the mission- Forth to the fight he fared, Hungary are among the oldest aries busy until far into the High things and great he dared, Protestant institutions in the night. Here and there, barriers In His Master's might to spread the world; some are said to have are coming down. been founded even before the Light death of Calvin. Most of Hun- EUROPE Right faithfully wrought he. gary became Protestant then, He greatly loved- and much of it remains so. A "Order of Christian He greatly lived- writer in The Christian Century Citizenship" And died right mightily. describes a walking trip through northeastern Hungary with a In Great Britain, 25,000 -United Church Record. Y. M. C. A. group, wandering young Methodists have instituted from village to village and visitthe "Order of Christian Citizen- Reich Church in Bonds ing pastors and churches. The ship," which requires the appli- boys marched behind a banner, cation of the Christian Gospel to A pamphlet has been privately singing folk songs, religious social problems. The movement printed and circulated in Ger- hymns and national songs. The is directed by a standing com- many which concludes with the banner consisted of a special mittee of the Temperance and question: "How does Pastor Y. M. C. A. flag and many rib- Social Welfare Departments of Niemoller's continued imprison- bons of various colors, which the Methodist Church, but steps ment affect us?" and the answer: they had received from places have been taken to put the young previously visited. On them people actually in control. Its It demands that we should recognize were such slogans as "For God program includes the fostering that Martin Niemoller is not in the and Hungary," "Onward with of international peace, the com- Sachsenhausen concentration camp as Christ," "Jesus Conquers," and bating of the drink, gambling a private individual, but that in him short Bible verses. Fourteen and other social evils, and the the entire Confessional Church and all days were thus spent. Each making of social surveys for the men who are fighting for the freedom church spire is crowned with a information of the young. of the Gospel in Germany have been cock and star, emblems of Cal- thrown into prison. It demands that vinism. The star is supposed to -United Presbyterian. wherever we are we do not keep our guide the people and the cock to mouths shut like dumb dogs, but speak keep them awake. Just how Livingstone Shrine out what God has ordered us to speak. much awake they are one cannot and that we fight for the freedom of say. Certainly there is much for "The most frequented person- His Church and for the authority of them to do. al shrine in Scotland," is said of the Gospel in Germany. As long as the Scottish National Memorial Martin Niemoller is in the concentra- Dictatorship in Greece to David Livingstone, at his tion camp, there is set up in our midst birthplace, Blantyre, near Glas- a signal. visible from afar, that the No sooner had Eastern Orthogow. In one year alone the at- Church of Jesus Christ in Germany dox Churches seemed to have actendance exceeded 73,000. It is is in bonds. quired the "ecumenical mind" already the greatest children's than the dictator of Greece took center in Scotland. Since the Pastor Niem611er is said to be steps to give the Greek Orthodox Memorial was opened by the in failing health. He is allowed Church an ironclad monopoly in Duchess of York, in October, one visit a month from his wife that country. Under new edicts, 1929, 406,208 visitors have and one child~ (He has seven.) persons trying to make converts passed through the turnstile. to any other church will be sub- Italy's Jews ject to fine and imprisonment; Dr. John R. Mott calls it one if foreigners, they will be exof the most wonderful things he Nearly twenty-five per cent of pelled. The police power is to be has seen in all his numerous Italy's Jews are affected by the invoked to compel school chilworld journeys, and perhaps the decree that all Jews who have dren to attend church on Sunday. finest shrine to any person to be established themselves in Italy and her colonies (excepting pos- sibly Eritrea and East Somali- land) since the World War must leave within six months, or be expelled "following application of penalties fixed by law." Under present laws they will be able to take little of their property with them, save a small amount of money for traveling expenses.
Foreign Jews in business in
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Literature expressing opInIOns the continent, yet if one mission by my own power that I am preserved not acceptable to the Holy Synod is banned. No doubt the purpose station a day could be visited, it till now and given the news of the behind these decrees is to check Roman Catholic activity, though would take eight years to see everlasting Gospel of Christ, but only an American Protestant missionary has been refused permission them all. -Pageant. by the power of the one great Cause to enter Greece, for the apparent reason that he was a Protestant of causes, the Almighty. minister. Dictatorship knows no curb. -Christian Century. White Hearts Lifted Up . -So S. Times.
AFRICA Mrs. Julia Lake Kellersberger, Memorial in Madagascar in the Presbyterian Survey, de- He Was "From Missouri" scribes a missionary meeting in World Dominion Press records the Congo: that native churches have given Mr. C. J. Mellis, sixty-year- 250,000 francs for the erection old realtor from St. Louis, after The Doxology rings out through the of a church in memory of David contributing generously to mis- opened windows and echoes in the J ones and Thomas Bevan, Welsh sions in Africa for nearly 20 mango grove. It takes no amplifier of pioneers to the island of the years, decided to take a look for man to make it resound. White hearts London Missionary Society, who himself, and see what it "was are then lifted up in prayer, though landed at Tamatave in 1818. In all about." In company with a the lips that utter them are black. 1907, the work was transferred Presbyterian minister, Rev. H. One after another these women rise to the Paris Evangelical Mis- J. Heinecke, of Greely, Colorado, and give their testimony. The first is sionary Society, whose missionhe sailed from Liverpool to the leader herself. Her testimony aries have erected the memorial Nigeria. Ten months later, after rings true, for there is a life back of church, which is the largest of traveling 15,000 miles across it to emphasize the words. the 3,500 Protestant places of Africa, these two returned to worship in the island. About New York. Said Mr. Mellis: A perfect "carbon copy" of an old- 4,000 natives were present at "The job missions is doing out fashioned Southern black mammy the opening. there is so big it beggars de- rises and with cracked voice tells of scription." The men brought her joy in being able to care for sev- Progress in Kabylia back 200 reels of movie film eral little orphan children and to cook which Mr. Mellis is showing the daily manioc for those at the hos- One encouraging feature of throughout his own state and pital too sick to care for themselves. missionary work in Kabylia is those adjoining, with a series of It has been strongly suspected that that in many places converts 12 lectures. she spends some of her hard-earned from Islam are taking the initia- pittance on delicate tidbits, such as tive in this work. Natives played Seventy-five mission stations caterpillars, or juicy ants, for the a large part in a recent Chriswere visited; to every mission- especially weak ones. A converted tian Conference. Under the ary visited they put this ques- witch doctor, sister of an African chairmanship of a gifted Kabyle tion: "How many natives in chief, reveals the fact that she had Christian, who translated the adyour particular field have never burned her former heathen medicine dresses into Arabic, French and heard a single sermon, never lis- and was made well, not by incanta- his own language, men of differtened to a single Gospel mes- tions and sorcery, but by an opera- ent tongues, from numerous dissage ?" The answer was some- tion at the Christian hospital. tricts met and told of their extimes 350,000, and never less periences in the Christian life than 100,000. Another question The climax of this wonderful meet- and their efforts to "let their was: "What special problems ing comes when a woman leper arises. light shine." do Africa missionaries have to She is a woman of unusual force of face?"; the reply was that the character. Like the one leper who re- A lack of conviction seems to greatest difficulty was to make turned to give thanks to Christ, she characterize man y Mohammebuildings and equipment keep tells of His gift of healing. Then the dans of today. In a shop in pace with the growth of the final hymn, "There shall be showers Oran, a man was heard to say: work. Another problem concerns of blessings," sung as only African "If I knew the truth I would fol- Mohammedanism. Entering a women can sing. low it. I would leave Islam and native village with a pack on his Mohammed tomorrow if I were head, the Mohammedan trader, A Strange Prayer convinced that the truth lay elsebefore untying his wares, pre- where." Those who heard the sents an invitation. "Come," he In some reminiscences of a remark showed no resentment. says, "be a Mohammedan. We'll missionary at Lovedale, South teach you to lie, steal and cheat Africa, mention is made of an -Life of Faith. the Christian infidels." African boy, pupil of a Chris- tian school, who had kept a Christ in Uganda Mr. Mellis said that while journal of his experiences. The they saw a good cross section of following is an extract: The C. M. S. Outlook says that Christianity has taken root in Before I go further I must tell you Uganda, and that the Church is about my prayers when I was a little becoming increasingly indige- boy. I could not believe that God nous. Uganda Christians have could hear prayer in Kaffir, and of served as missionaries in the English I knew too little. In fact, I Southern Sudan, in the Belgian knew but two words, "Friday" and "Amen." So I prayed, "Friday, Fri- day, Friday, Friday" four times and then, "Amen." But although this was my prayer yet the Almighty God did not cease to send down his influence upon me.
My parents became Christians, not by my power, though I often prayed for them by the same two words "Fri- day" and "Amen." Nor has it been
Congo and the Pygmy Forest, in gelized territory, covering a And what a privilege to look Ruan9a and Urundi. They have thousand miles from east to after such a family!" carried the Gospel to all parts of west, and three hundred from the Uganda Protectorate, from north to south, and suggested -The Chronicle. the great northern plain to the that the S. A. G. M. adopt it. Ruwenzori Mountains. Recently The challenge was accepted in EASTERN ASIA some men walked 300 miles to 1910, and A. W. Bailey was com- Kampala from a distant State to missioned to set a line of sta- Aleppo Beggars ask for African missionaries to tions across Rhodesia and Portutheir fellow-Africans 300 miles guese West Africa, to be known The beggars of Aleppo are an away. as the Andrew Murray Memo- interesting study. It would re- rial Field. Now, 28 years later, quire detailed research to find From Tanganyika comes the that goal has been reached and out to what extent they are orreport of steady growth in the a new challenge is presented in ganized, how their "beats" are number of African ministers, re- the recently granted permission divided and what are their musulting in more adequate pas- to occupy further Portuguese tual understandings. The Aleptoral care of Christian commu- territory. In southern Angola po visitor has the impression nities. there are from nine to sixteen that their business is on a sound large tribes representing three basis, and that there is no un- Islanders Have New Chapel language groups whose dialects employment. A number of the have never yet been reduced to beggars are quite well-dressed. The first Presbyterian mission writing. This area is totally un- The Maronite Church is the cento West Africa was on the island touched by Christian influence. ter around which they mill conof Corisco, off the coast of the tinually, but especially on Sun- French Cameroun, but the work- Undoubtedly, future work of day mornings. Old, old women ers soon moved to the mainland the mission will lie in Central sit along the walls, never moving and the island was left without Africa rather than in the south, about but waiting for alms to a resident or visiting missionary. where the natives have been en- drop into their laps. On cold African Christians on the island couraged to take responsibility, mornings, they have little brahave recently dedicated a beauti- and are becoming indigenous. ziers at which they warm their ful new chapel, planned, built hands and sometimes two or and paid for by the islanders -The Christian. three beggars will share this themselves, of material trans- comfort. Sometimes they sit and ported from the mainland in sail Tiger Kloof Family argue, instead of attending boats; the concrete was made on strictly to business; but one asthe island. The work at Tiger Kloof, siduous fellow may be seen beg- South Africa, is not standing ging even while he eats, mum- The dedicatory service was still, but widening its influence. bling touching petitions with his held in three languages: the Miss Janet Bryson has been mouth full. Benga of the island, the Bulu of Principal of Tiger Kloof Native the Cameroun mainland, and the Institution since 1923. She re- Aleppo is considered a rich Spanish of Spanish Guinea. ports that applications for ad- city, and with the prosperous are Each was translated for the ben- mission must be refused, as no also large numbers of desperefit of those who did not under- more can possibly be accommo- ately poor. Between the two, stand the others. dated. "School life," she says, this beggar class battens on the "is difficult to report, since it is philanthropically disposed. -Monday Morning. just the ordinary story of daily life among African girls-trying H. G. DORMAN, JR. More Open Doors to show them the things that really matter, trying to get them Situation in Palestine The South Africa General to grow in the things that are Mission began with work among worth while and to shake off The situation in Palestine, the white population of South those that hinder. Girls who dark though it is, has a few en- Africa, chiefly Jews and Mos- care-and those who don't; girls couraging features. lems, soldiers and sailors, rail- who know very little and those way and postoffice workers, but who know too much! Girls who 1. The Jews, driven by presthis proved to be the stepping have never known tribal life, but ent difficulties, are thinking and stone to that which followed. only the so-called civilized life of questioning about religious mat- The vast expanse of heathen a city like Johannesburg-girls ters as never before. They are darkness was a challenge, and who have never travelled beyond realizing that materialism and after claiming Swaziland, other their native village; girls who religious indifference are not a centers opened, and the work speak one language – girls who sufficient foundation on which to extended into the Cape Prov- speak three or four; girls whose stand amid the present storms, ince, Natal and the Indian set- fathers are paramount chiefs- and they are increasingly asking tlements. The next epoch began girls whose mothers earn their what Christianity has to say. when Frederick Arnot, mission- fees by hard work in a European ary pioneer, reported that he home in one city or another. 2. There is a change of outhad discovered a great unevan- look on the part of young Jews in the agricultural settlements. Formerly they were completely
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
indifferent, and often actively Education in Iran Bible and "no eyes," meaning hostile, to religion. This is no longer the case. The Old Testa- Several years ago, as a move there was none among them who ment is frequently read and to unite the nation more closely, could read. "Do you pray?" he often also the New Testament, the government of Iran pro- asked. No, they didn't pray. and Jews are ready and in many "Do you sing?" No, the young cases eager to discuss religious hibited Iranian students from man had told them their songs questions. attending any schools under for- were bad, and they must not sing eign direction. Thereupon, Pres- them any more. "What do you 3. It is evident there is a byterian mission schools discon- do when you meet in the dawning realization on the part tinued primary classes; though church ?" And the sad reply of both Jews and Arabs that in Hamadan and Teheran, Iran- came, "We just sit and wait." Christ does offer the one hope of ian Christians kept up this work. peace and reconciliation. The number of young people de- -Alliance Weekly.
-International Council of manding an education is now so A Year's Changes Christian Approach to great that the Ministry of Edu- the Jews. cation has asked the mission to Dr. and Mrs. C. Herbert Rice, reopen its lower schools. Under of Allahabad, have returned to In Armenia present staff limitations this is India, after furlough, and find not possible, but upper classes many changes; among them, the The Secretary of "Friends of Armenia" has recently visited are more and more crowded. It national Congress party had Syria to study the probable future needs and condition of the should also be noted that these taken up the constitutional meth- Armenians, and to recommend schools are in the front rank, as od of advancing the cause of some line of action. Stopping at evidenced by the percentage of self-government. Seven of the Geneva, he found that the Refugee Commission of the League of successful students taking the eleven provinces are now work- Nations was not only dead, but ing under a Congress party minwas calling in the loans made to government examinations. refugees. The whole refugee istry, many of the "stormy problem is greatly accentuated Adult education is making since Germany's seizure of Aus- great strides in the country. petrels" of agitation days now tria, and the increasing number Students in Teheran University occupying seats of authority. fleeing from areas under Nazi last year numbered 1,549, of High British officials are coopdomination. Germany is bring- erating with these ministries in ing pressure to bear upon small whom 86 were women. There countries to refuse help to ref- are 18,354 enrolled Boy Scouts. a genuine effort to make selfugees, and prevent their giving Dr. Sadiq, of the University, in government in the autonomous them asylum. a recently delivered lecture in provinces real and effective. Teheran stated that brotherhood, Measures of social, educational In Syria, Armenians have and agrarian reform are already made tremendous effort to make the sacredness of family ties and demonstrating that the new gova new start; most of them now the doctrine of the resurrection ernments are fully conscious of have SOme sort of a home. Ex- are the center of the Christian treme cleanliness and neatness religion. their responsibilities, and also was found in every shack; ter- that they have a large measure rible poverty and rags, to be sure, but self-respect and no beg- INDIA AND SIAM of popular support. The air is ging. However, everywhere full of proposals for the improvethroughout Syria, with the exception of the coastal province of Waiting for Light ment of the condition of the Lebanon, there is a feeling of rural population, for the proimminent danger, a constant The story is told of a mission- vision of specialized schools and looking over the shoulder for ary who visited a spot in India the bringing of educational what may be coming. where no missionary had ever methods into touch with the life been, yet the villagers had dis- of the people; with plans to pro- Armenians still need all the carded their idols and met each mote the mass education of illithelp that can be given them, week in a church which they had erate adults. especially in the spiritual realm, built. Inquiring into this, the lest with these long continued missionary found that a young . Says Dr. Rice: troubles they may fail to maintain their high Christian tradi- man, traveling for some foreign We are convinced that Christian tion, and their young people, business concern, had been de- institutions will in many ways receive particularly, lapse from the a greater welcome than ever before. splendid .standards of their fa- tained in their village several High-minded national leaders will thers.-Evangelical Christian. days by a flood. While there, he surely accept with gratitude all the told the villagers that they help that we can give in the solution of pressing national and human prob- should not worship idols; that lems. It is true that in the present there was a true God whom they atmosphere of religious rivalry and should worship, and that they tense communalism we may expect in- should build a house and meet in creasing opposition to the conversion it once every seven days. They of Hindus and Mohammedans to Christianity. On the other hand there had followed these instructions. is growing up a constantly increasing The missionary asked if they resentment against ancient authority and ancient forms of social and reli- had a Bible, and who read it to gious restraint. Inroads are being them. They said they had no made upon the caste system. This
growing spirit of freedom will itself that he wished a Christian mar- "Some bought gladly, others penetrate the realm of conscience and riage, before he could change his were so much confused by the religious belief. We need not fear for noise and crowds they were not mind again. This also put a re- interested. Some railed at us the future of the Gospel and the straint on the opposition. The Church, whatever the immediate difficulties connected with the political affair having come before the au- for bothering them so much. situation may be. thorities, they dared not resort Sometimes we talked until our Heathen Marriage the to violence. mouths were dry, but were- Stumblingblock MRS. A. B. GOULD, vived when anyone came to buy. Thus we worked for four days; Presbyterian missionary 3700 portions had been sold." The time – honored heathen at Ambala.
marriage ceremony is the last Ten in One Church Builds a School thing to be renounced by Indian Christians; and nothing so The Baptist Mission in Burma A church in a remote part of is in reality ten missions, owing Siam was having a hard time. arouses non-Christians as a de- to the great diversity of races The staff was small, the district parture from these rites. For and languages in this field. The large, the responsibilities many. one thing, a Christian loses Gospel must be preached to each A young Siamese minister was money by the renunciation, since one in his own tongue; and even called to this field, and soon put each guest is expected to bring a so, there are many tribes as yet his finger upon the difficulty. unreached in the hill section of· "N0 Christian education for the rupee to the bride's father. A Burma, and the border areas. So older boys," he said. "The little hundred guests would quite ma- when we read .of Bur man ones can go to the girls' school; terially help to defray expenses c h u r c h e s, Burmese-speaking but the big ones have to go to for the feast. But this is not all. churches are meant, not every government schools where they A while ago a Christian couple have to take part in Buddhist wished to marry their daughter church in Burma. to a Christian young man from celebrations, and are seldom able In addition to work among the to go to church or Sunday school. another district. The bride- many races in Burma, the Gospel They drift away from Christiangroom's party arrived the eve- is preached to Indian immi- ity. That means, too, that the ning before, reenforced by three grants. Most of the 15,000,000 Christian girls have to marry Christian preachers, whose pres- inhabitants of Burma live in vil- non-Christian .or only half-Chrisence, it was thought, would dis- lages of from ten to three hun- tian men. Some day our people courage active hostilities. The dred houses, and most .of the invited guests, Christians from will be so well trained and edu- missionary work centers in the cated themselves that they can other villages, had also arrived. towns. R u r a I reconstruction The dinner was cooked and committees are being organized. instruct their children at home in Christian faith and practice; ready to serve. But the enemy had mustered his forces. Chu- Footprint of Buddha but now we need a school." hras (Sweepers), the class from So he put it up to the church, which these Christians came, One cannot help being im- and the members agreed to start had gathered from a number of villages, and swore that not a pressed with the religious fervor a boys' school as one .of their bite of that dinner should be of the crowds, old and young, projects. It is still an experieaten until the parents consented who visit the footprint of Bud- ment, but is well under way. to a Chuhra wedding. dha at Prabat, Siam, every year. Church members contribute a The men stood by with walk- A Siamese colporteur tells in part of the expenses, some help ing sticks, to intimidate the the Siam Outlook of the oppor- comes from the mission and guests. The Mohammedans of tunities this festival offers for some from churches in other vilthe village sided with the presenting the Gospel. "We lages from which pupils come. Chuhras, and threatened to turn sang as we rode along by launch The Siamese pastor hopes to the family out of their village if to Lopburi. A man asleep was have the school self-supporting they persisted in their purpose. disturbed, and asked us what in four years.
All night the dinner lay un- we were doing. This gave us a touched. The guests drowned chance to bear witness. Great CHINA their hunger in sleep, so far as crowds were going happily Hope in the Long View the noise of battle would permit! along, some selling flowers to The discussion went on most of offer at the shrine. After we Dr. W. W. Yen, former Chi- the night, with the result that had found a place to stay in nese ambassador to Moscow and the father, never much of a force the market, we went into every Minister to Washington, believes in the family, was won over, and by-lane where we might make a that "out of the ashes .of death gave his consent to a Chuhra sale. So we continued until two and devastation, there will arise marriage. Here was defeat. The in the morning, for people were a new China, modern, sanitary, next step was for the preachers enjoying the festival all night. scientific and beautiful, testify- to get the father to the nearest Some of our Gospel portions ing to the indomitable spirit and police post four miles away, and were stolen: we pray they were indefatigable industry of the there make him sign a statement read! people." Dr. Yen thinks there
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
is no warrant for pessimism, be- upheld the cause of justice. Through sincere, often tearful confession cause throughout the ages the His words and works, He manifested of national and personal sin. Chinese have been able to the reality of His love and sacrificial Mr. Lewis says that in the many weather the storm. Out of the prayer-meetings he has attended spirit. I have come to the conviction that, if we wish to revive the Chinese present struggle, the greatest people and reform society, we must during the past year he has not gain will be national unity; an- heard one word of recrimination other is the lesson of self-help, adopt as our own the universal love against the invaders. On the the gain in moral values and in- and sacrificial spirit of Jesus. There- contrary, they often make earn- fore, I take it that in whatever sphere of life, whether in social relationships, ternational understanding. civil administrations, military com- est prayer both for the Chris- -The China Colleges. mand or other service, we must make tians of Japan and the people in charity and peace the basic principles general, and entreat God to dis- Victorious Christian Youth of action. To this end all revolution- pose their hearts toward peace. ists must accept, struggle and sacrifice A number of missionaries in Evidence multiplies as to the as a daily duty. This was the spirit widely separated areas of China victory of Christian over nation- of Jesus. This is what I meant when testify to their belief that this is alist feeling in this time of crisis. I had occasion to say before, "We the attitude of the whole Chris- shall not give up the hope of peace until peace is absolutely hopeless, but Hunan University Christian As- we will not shrink from any sacrifice tian Church in China. sociation addressed an open let- when the hour demands it."
ter to Japanese Christian stu- Snap Shots from Siangtan Time for Advance in Tibet dents, and after expressing dismay over the invasion of their Interesting things have been In China's Millions, Dr. J. H. happening in Siangtan, Hunan. Jeffrey lists the following reacountry, which they characterize One was the opening of the sons for a missionary advance as "wanton and unwarranted," Kwangtao Girls' School building among non-Chinese in Tibet: they express the hope that "our as a refuge for Christian Chinese flooding into the city. A commu- A more favorable political situation. common belief in God and our nity kitchen was set up and the love of personality will not dis- classrooms divided into cubicles A priesthood largely discredited, in appear in this time of crisis; and to accommodate 70 at a time. some parts at least. that the spirit of our common Morning worship is conducted, fellowship may be kept alive and one baptism has resulted. The destruction of many important Three refugees are tutoring as a lamaseries and the slaughtering of . . . so as to sow the seeds for means of support; others hold hundreds of lamas, thereby depriving future building for the service night classes. the non-Chinese people of their spirof God." The Hunan students itual guides. then urge the Japanese to join Another outstanding feature with them in a period of prayer was the organization of a Chris- High cost of training priests. at stated hours, saying, "Let us tian Fellowship group, that pray that this war will soon end, Christian refugees might get ac- Friendliness of the people towards the foreigner. let us devote ourselves to preparing for Christian fellowship be- Many regions formerly regarded as being closed to the missionary now tween our countries in the fu- are open.
Readiness to believe the mission- ary's message.
ture. . . . We pray for tolerance quainted with one another and JAPAN-CHOSEN and love and faith in God." The with the Christians of the city. letter is concluded by a quotation Two large gatherings have al- Delegates to Madras ready been held with over a hunfrom the prayer of our Lord as dred in attendance each time. After a good deal of hesita- tion, Japanese Christians have recorded in John 17: 20-23 and Bible study groups and a lit- decided to participate in the eracy class have been held espethe final sentence is, "God bless cially for the refugees, and the Madras Conference, and about literacy class for children has 15 Japanese delegates and seven you all!" -Advance. been reopened. missionaries are now on their way. Several full meetings of Chiang Kai-Shek on the Radio Continued Prayer for Japan the delegation have been held, and sectional and group studies In a recent radio address, the Rev. A. B. Lewis, member of are now going on. Dr. Kagawa Generalissimo referred to Jesus the Field Council of the China plans to go, and to spend some Christ as the leader of a national revolution, and also of a reli- weeks in evangelistic effort in gious revolution. He said: I have long sought to know the real Inland Mission, writes in the India. source of the revolutionary spirit of Life of Faith of the effects of Within the Christian move- Jesus. From whence did it spring? ment in Japan, there is a tend- Entirely from His spirit of love. war on the Chinese Church. ency toward a more unified con- Chinese Christians have been trol. The smaller denominations Through the spirit of love He would driven to their knees as never drive from the minds of men all evil thinking and break up systems of before. Heartfelt earnestness is and the many one-church units inequality that all men might exercise to be expected, but the outstand- are on the way to federating and the heaven-given right to enjoy liberty ing thing about their prayers then affiliating with the National and equality. has been the complete absence of Christian Council. Conferences All through His life Jesus opposed bitterness toward Japan, and the are also being held to discuss orthe use of might without right, but
ganic church union, and a spirit mise was correct, and he still has were baptized. Today there are of urgency is noted. his copy. -Monday Morning. 400,000 baptized Christians of the Batuk tribe. Their churches, ~The Christian Century. MALAYA AND THE large and small, dot the land. ISLANDS Making the Dead Give -Missionary Educator. Moslems of Malaya Japan has decided that the Chinese Conference in dead also must contribute to the Christian missions among Mo- Singapore conquest of China. A group of hammedans in Malaya have asdentists recently told the govern- sumed several forms. The first There have been Religious ment that about $2,900,000 in thing to be done is to gain the gold goes each year into graves confidence of the people, and Education Conferences in Singaor cremation urns, so it has been medical aid is one of the most suggested that a dentist be as- effective ways. Christian litera- pore in English, but recently one signed to each crematorium to ture is another. So far, only one remove gold fillings, plates, experiment has been made in in- was held in Chinese for the Chicrowns and teeth from the stitutional work; this is the bodies. boarding school in Malacca, nese Church in Singapore, in started with the idea that work, Here are some of the features to be effective, must be carried which entire responsibility for of a vast program of retrench- on outside the village environment: chemists in the Ministry ment, where Christian influence the program was assumed by of Agriculture are tanning rat has a better chance to operate. skins in their search for a leather One of the most recent experi- Chinese pastors and lay workers. substitute, and match makers are ments in establishing good-will asked to reduce the length of the contacts with the Malays has It continued for four days, June match by .029 inches. Shorten- been teaching the Malay women ing of the match stick, it is esti- to read. This has been made 28-July 1, at the new. Foochow mated, would save enough in a possible through the application year to keep the army going in of the system by Dr. Laubach, of Methodist Church. ,There were China, at the present rate of ex- the Philippine Islands, to the penditure, for about one hour Malay language. It has proved delegations from every Methodand five minutes. to be very successful, and thus another door has been opened. ist and Presbyterian Chinese -Alliance Weekly. -Christian Advocate. church of Singapore, Johore and Miserliness Saves a Bible! The Gospel in Sumatra Malacca districts, as well as While Syenchun, one of the largest Christian centers in One hundred and four years from Seremban and Sitiawan. Chosen, has active church groups ago, two American missionaries, and a living spirit of evangelism, Lyman and Munson, made the The men and women were it is a different story in a village first attempt to carry the Gospel barely three miles from there. to the pagan race of one-time about equal in number; the Voluntary Christian workers cannibals in Sumatra, called who went out from Syenchun to Batuks. Twice some of the Ba- women made their contribution conduct services and w 0 r k tuks had been killed by Mohama m 0 n g non – Christians were medans because they would not to the program equal to that of pelted with rocks; the Christian embrace the faith of Islam. villagers had even worse experi- Thinking these two white mis- the men, and were particularly ences, some were beaten and all sionaries were Mohammedans, were abused in one way or an- come to kill them, they promptly prominent in the demonstration other. Finally, local police took put them to death, and feasted a hand and jailed the most vio- on their flesh. For 25 years, ,no classes and in the smaller discuslent persecutors for one day. one dared go again. When the sion groups. Opposition was checked, but not Batuks at last realized that the ill feeling. missionaries were their friends, One day was devoted to each the way was opened for others to One young man had bought go with the Gospel message, and of four themes: children's work; five copies of the New Testament almost at once the Batuk people and his grandfather burned embraced Christianity. This re- young people's work; work them all. Then, hoping that the markable fact has no parallel in old man's penurious disposition the history of the Church today. with adults and work in the would keep him from destroying Thousands of these once cannisomething that cost a great deal, bals accepted the Gospel and community. 0 the r features he bought a very expensive copy of the New Testament. His sur- were: Church music and Sing- ing, Chinese Literacy work and methods of teaching illiterates Romanized Hokkien, and recrea- tional programs for young peo- ple. -Malaysia Message.
Filipino Christian Projects Dr. William H. Crothers, now beginning his second year of vol- untary service as member of the faculty of Union Theological Seminary, Manila, tellS' what he saw on a tour of missionary projects in the Philippines: "We saw self – supporting churches at their worship; met enough evangelical Christians in places of responsibility to know how far out of proportion to their numbers is their influence; saw three of our mission hospi- tals actually enlarging or plan- ning expansion; we saw, in fact, church history in the making- the love of Christ animating men
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and women and children, mold- one who cannot use his brains they may be used for religious ining their lives and motivating for such purpose. They came to struction if it is so requested. institutions. If the thousands of realize that education is essenmen and women who, for the tial to progress. -Manila Daily Bulletin. love of that same Lord, have given offerings that have made Today, teachers are trained MISCELLANEOUS this work possible could have at Davuilevu, which has in addiseen what we have seen, they tion to the Normal School a pri- The Problem of the Jew would, in this dark day in the mary school, technical school Orient, thank God and take some and theological seminary. From There are evidences of incourage." -Monday Morning. this center come some of Fiji's creasing anti-Jewish feeling in best men. As a still further America and Great Britain. This An Old Timer Returns equipment for life, agricultural situation moved a group of training is provided at Navuso. Christians last spring to suggest A soldier who had served in Nor has the education of girls special days of prayer for Israel the. Philippines from 1898 to been neglected. Several schools on the first Sundays of July and 1902 recently revisited the teach them the principles of October, 1938, and January and I s I and s. Astonished at the hygiene and the art of cooking, April, 1939. Five suggestions changes he saw, he asked a needlework and home-building. for prayer have been made: friend how it was that the na- T hat anti-Semitism may be tives had made such unparalleled -The Missionary Review averted in the United States, progress. The friend promptly (Australia) . that Christians everywhere may named as factors in the prog- share something of Christ's love ress, the Filipinos' disposition to Quezon Rebukes Catholic for His brethren, that Israel will advice, the spirit of the Taft Church look to God for help and not to Commission, American teachers nations, that American nations and American missionaries. On the eve of his departure will have a share in the care of Noting an incredulous expres- for Japan, President Quezon of Jewish refugees, and that the sion at the mention of mission- the Philippines, issued a strong present issues in Palestine may aries, he added : "Yes, mission- rebuke to the Catholic Church in be settled as God would have aries. In proportion to their the Philippines. This was in re- them settled. number, no group did more to ply to an ecclesiastical letter, interpret to the Filipinos the urging a boycott of schools "Hadassah," the Women's Zispirit of America, and to assist where religion is not taught. onist Organization of America, them to assimilate its civil, edu- The President accused the has to date raised sufficient cational and religious freedom. Church of trying to meddle in funds to transfer and provide They discussed the personal and for 2,200 German and Polish community problems of the peo- affairs of State, and warned that Jewish children, and to settle ple on the plane of sympathy and this will not be tolerated. Among them in Palestine. Up to the friendship, and visited the hum- other things, Quezon, himself a present, 1500 Austrian Jewish blest of them as good Samari- boys and girls have applied to a tans."-Madras News Service. Catholic, said: Palestine Bureau in Vienna for similar transfer to Palestine. Education for Fijians It should be unnecessary to remind A Jewish rabbi of Lexington, A former student of the Meth- the ecclesiastical authorities in the Ky., VIsited Germany with a odist Boys' School in Suva gives Sherwood Eddy group last June, the Fijian point of view regard- Philippines that the separation of relying upon his United States ing education. Early Methodist passport to protect him from asmissionaries were the first to Church and State in this country is sault. He says that the situation build schools to teach Fijian in Nazi Germany has not been youngsters what they needed to a reality and not a mere theory; and overdrawn, and that all Jews know. The results were wonder- there are facing starvation by ful. Those early schools were that as far as our people are con- 1940. He calls attention to the held in the village church, if fact that cutting off these people there was one; otherwise, out cerned, it is forever settled that this from purchasing power will of doors. Lessons were mostly have its effect on economic consums and the vernacular; how- separation shall be maintained as one ditions, and the closing of Jewever, to know something is bet- ish stores will be reflected in all ter than to know nothing, and of the cardinal tenets of our govern- the industries. In his opinion, this paved the way for Fijian the faith of the Jew is not failparents to wish their children to ment. . . . . ing him. By hundreds, they are have an education, for they saw worshipping in their synathe contrast between the child If I were inclined to interfere in gogues.-I. C. C. A. J. N ew.'l who has learned to read and the Sheet, Dayton, Ohio, News. the affairs of the Church, as the School Curricula Revised Catholic bishops are attempting to do Some idea of what follows with the affairs of the State, I would when a conquering army enters tell the Archbishop and the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Cebu that it is their lack of Sunday schools and catechists to teach the Catholic religion that is mainly responsible for the deplorable ignorance of their own religion that is found among Catholic youth.
Moreover, if the desire is to have hours exclusively devoted to religious instruction in the public schools, so that the regular school activities may not interfere with said instruction, I am placing Saturdays and Sundays at the disposal of all the ministers of all the religions existing in the Phil- ippines. On Saturdays and Sundays, the public schools are not being used for school purposes and, therefore,
a country may be had from in- The first task of the Council attention to the remarkable genformation sent by Dr. S. C. Ziegler, United Brethren missionary will be to aid in keeping up the erosity of Jews toward Chrisin North China. In regard to education he says: standards, professional and spir- tians. Christian refugees from The Japanese acquired control of a itual, of the medical and nursing Germany and Austria have delarge area so rapidly that it was impossible for them to handle immedi- appointees of the various mis- pended in large measure upon ately all the problems that arose. Revision of the curriculum was dealt sion boards. A second task will Jewish help. with in only the sketchiest fashion. Military training, Boy Scouting and be the study of environments in The lot of Christians of Jewish civics, which had been a part of the political training imposed on the many countries with a view to origin is even more unfortunate schools by the nationalist party, were suggesting to the societies ways than that of the Jews. They immediately abolished. A Codex Expurgatus for the textbooks used in in which their medical work were doubly outcasts. They were the other subjects was issued, and whole pages that offended them had may become better related to the not Jews, because their parents to be torn out, while separate para- churches, to government health or grandparents had embraced graphs and sentences had to be deleted programs, and to developing sys- Christianity, and they were not under the teachers' direction. For the tems of national medical prac- recognized as German citizens coming semester primary schools are tice. forbidden to use any of the textbooks because they had some tincture formerly issued in China. New ones now being printed in Japan are prom- of Jewish blood. It is underised in a month. In the meantime, we How Much Is a Man Worth? stood that the Council will enhave to mimeograph lesson sheets to use. Japanese as a foreign language An exchange comments on the deavor to assist Christian and has been added as a required subject damages allowed in accident other non-Jewish people who are from the fifth grade through the cases, and asks what is the true' fleeing from Germany, Austria twelfth. The general trend is toward value of a human being. A boy and Sudetenland. the elimination of Western ideas and -Life of Faith. influences, and bringing in classical lost his hand and the courts al- Chinese and pro-Japanese ideas. Recently all teachers were required to lowed him $1,700 damages, but attend a three-day institute conducted later, when he lost his other Christian Youth Conference by Chinese and Japanese officials, at which the invincibility of Japan and arm, he was allowed $2,000 dam- In the list of encouraging the desirability of a Japan-Manchu- age. An eighteen months old kuo-China alliance against the West child toddled out into the alley trends of today must be classed and the white race were loudly pro- where rubbish had been burned, the increasing number of youth cla.imed. and three toes were injured. conferences, and camps. One Damage, $750. A young wom- was held at Bievres, France, in -Dayton Daily News. an, injured in an auto wreck in August, when 60 leaders from 23 Omaha, was given $9,500 by the Christian Medical Council court. A girl going abroad to countries formulated plans for a buy perfume had her nose in- World Conference of Christian The Christian Medical Coun- Youth, to be held in Amsterdam, cil for Overseas Work was es- sured for $50,000. Because of Holland, July 24-August 2, 1939. tablished in New York on June her back being broken in an ac- The delegates represented the 3, 1938, by twelve missionary you t h organizations of the societies of North Arne ric a cident a girl was allowed $38,- churches, the Y. M. C. A.~ the which have long sought a way 000. A Kansas City lad injured Y. W. C. A., the World's Student by which their medical work by a live wire so that he could Christian Federation, the Ecumight become better correlated never smile was allowed by the menical Youth Commission of at home and more effectively in- courts $20,000. A boy's ability the World Alliance for Internategrated with the needs of the to smile is quite worth while. A tional ~riendship through the environment abroad. They have motorcycle officer in Omaha was already created an office for su- allowed $30,000 damage for loss Churches and the Provisional pervision of the health of their of a leg while on duty. Ian Ku- Committee of the proposed workers abroad. This agency belik had the fingers of his left World Council of Churches. has been at work in New York hand insured for $250,000 while City for over five years and is a Paderewski carries $10,000,000 The program is to have four conspicuous example of comity insurance on his fingers. The basic emphases. The first is to among missionary societies. It question is, if parts of the body is the stated purpose of the are so valuable, what is the stress solidarity by setting forth Council, "to discover what, un- value of a soul? the essential content of their der changing conditions, should common Christian faith; the be the unique contribution of second is an approach to the Christianity through medicine; problems of the day through inand, as an advisory body, to aid the societies in making that con- Aid for Christian Refugees tensive, daily study of the Bible; tribution effective." the third discussion of actual In the Jerusalem Chamber of next steps to be undertaken by Westminster Abbey, in October, Christian young people; and there was inaugurated a Central fourth, an effort to place all of Council for Christian Refugees. these elements of the program in It is estimated that the migra- a setting of ecumenical worship tion from Sudetenland will in- in which the theme of the day volve 100,000 Germans, 30,000 and the aspirations of the dele- Jews and 400,000 Czechs. Sir gates are brought together be- John Simpson, who was elected fore God in prayer. Chairman of the Council, calls -Federal Council Bulletin.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Devotees of Christ. By D. S. Batley, study books and will prove in- Himself. The Autobiography of a Illus. 12 mo. 147 pp. 28. Church Hindu Lady. By Ramabai Ranada. of England Zenana Missionary So- teresting reading for mission ciety. London. 1938. study circles. Translated from the Marathi by Mrs. Katherine VanAkin Gates.
If anyone still has a doubt Dr. Ida, India. By Mary Pauline Jef- 8 vo. 253 pp. $2.00. Longmans Green & Co. New York. 1938. about the conversion of Indian fery. Introduction by Mrs. Henry women to Christ and the value W. Peabody. Illus. 212 pp. $2.00. This is a very delightful of such "new birth," this book Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. by Miss Batley of the C. E. Z. 1938. autobiography of a Hindu wom- M. S. will supply uncontestable an, married to an educated Hinevidence. They not only became Anyone in America at all in- du reformer whom she refers to Christians but efficient workers formed about mISSIOns, and as "Himself." They never befor Christ. As the Right Hon. many in India not so informed, came Christians but continued to Viscount Halifax, former British will know that this book tells observe many Hindu rites and Viceroy of India says in his in- the thrilling story of Dr. Ida S. customs. The interesting story troduction, "These women, by Scudder, President of the Medi- reveals the highest kind of famtheir noble work, accomplished cal College for Women at Vel- ily, public and religious life much in their time." The stories lore, South India. And it is a among educated Indians. The of some twenty-three of these truly wonderful story – fuB of wife, married at the age of women are told here and told ef- stirring incidents and inspira- eleven, was later the founder of fectively. Almost all of them tion. the Seva Sedan Society, to uplift were connected with the Church Indian womanhood. The picture of England missions, but many It is an indication of the place is not typical of India any more others equally remarkable came Dr. Ida holds in India that a let- than are the sordid pictures in out through the work of Bap- ter from America, addressed "Mother India," but Mrs. Ratists, Presbyterians, Methodists with only the three English nade shows the brighter side of and others. words that form the title of this the picture and uses language book, should reach Dr. Scudder that might refer to the Jewish The biographies are very brief in a land of over 350,000,000 or Moslem religion. There is no but enough facts are given to people living in over 740,000 Christ in their thought or expemake them interesting reading. cities and villages and speaking rience so that the Christian view over thirty languages! of sin, salvation, God and eternal Some names are well known like life is not mentioned. Chandra Lela, Pandita Ramabai, The life story tells of Dr. Ida's famous grandfather, John Scud- Ellen Lakshinie Goreh and Susie der, and his call to India; of the It Began in Galilee. A Study in Sorabji. Others are known only father John who followed to the Revolutionary Christianity. By to a few outside of their immedi- same field; then .of Ida's mis- Reginald J. Barker, Director of the ate circles-but they are worth chievous girlhood and the "three Methodist Central Mission in Tonyknowing-women like Shuruth calls in the night" that led her to pandy (Wales). 317 pages. $2.50. Mohini Datta and Marmarna devote her life to the neglected Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Tenn.
Bose. Most of them have gone women of India. Most criticisms of Christian- to their reward but some are still Dr. Ida of India has built up ity are directed against some excarrying on their devoted serv- the large Christian hospital, isting form of it. But the critics ice. They came from many walks nurses' training school and Med- of the revolutionary Christianity of life and all had tasted the un- ical College in South India. To here proposed will have to direct satisfying fruits of Hinduism or the advantages of good birth, their shafts against the theory, other Indian religions before thorough education, beauty and not the practice, for the precise they found peace and satisfac- unusual ability are added, in Dr. gravamen of Mr. Barker's tion in Christ. They entered into Scudder, co u rag e, Christian charge (so far as he is critical) Christ's service as preachers, character and a vital fellowship is that unless Christianity is revteachers, mothers, doc tor s , with Christ. olutionary it is not real, and that nurses, matrons and Bible wom- The book gives much valuable therefore most actual types of en. Here is an excellent sup- information on India-caste, dis- this religion, as now exemplified, plementary volume to this year's ease, women and children. are not genuine. What Mr.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[617 ]
Barker proposes, however, is not Barker sees only failure for any upon Christ's head, if he has not set forth as something newly in- revolutionary movement, how- first crowned Him King and ever much he may sympathize Lord of his own life." vented and therefore untried. During the making of this book with their aims, which does not An Epilogue offers an answer he has re-read the New Testa- include re-making of men by the to the question any reader would ment many times-and with vig- power of Jesus Christ. Individ- ask: If the present state of ualistic (traditional) Christian- things is so diametrically unorous results. He goes straight ity fails because it is essentially Christian, and if not only the to the New Testament for the State but the Church opposes al- selfish and other-worldly, and most every attempt to right the bases of his contentions: that therefore is false to Christ and world, how can genuine Christi- Christianity is in essence revolu- to the Word of God; secular so- anity get a start? The author sees no mass-movement, but a tionary, not simply for the indi- cialism and revolutionary anti- few outstanding personalities, an vidual but for society; that per- Christian com m u n ism are "order" cutting across all fron- doomed also to fail because they tiers, perhaps forced out of orsonal and social Christianity are ganized Christianity and cominseparable. The light of the do not aim at inner transforma- pelled to found a church-life of Gospel upon this world, and our tion. The revolutionary appeal its own; filled with power, swinging open the gates of civilization in it, has never been "must be evangelical to be effec- prayer again, knowing God not turned more unsparingly and tive. . . . The Christian ethic only in limited interior ways but in the whole gamut of human exvividly than in this book. The as an ethic is impossible; as a perience. author re-examines carefully the religion it is gloriously possible." KENNETH J. FOREMAN. records and the ideal in Gospels Unlike some who have been and Epistles, surveys the present strongly moved by the social China Marches Toward the Cross. By Earl H. Cressey, Executive Secstate of the world, and concludes challenge of the Gospel, the au- retary of the China Christian Eduthat if the true Gospel of Christ thor does not ignore theology. cational Assn. Pamphlet. 25 cents. were really preached and prac- On the contrary, his social pro- Friendship Press. New York. 1938. ticed it would mean a revolution. gram is entwined with his re- Here is a timely pamphlet on Mr. Barker means just what ligious beliefs. He is no Calvin- the Japanese invasion of China he says. Many persons assent and its effect on the land, the lazily to the proposition that ist, but his brilliant excoriation people and Christian missions. of Calvinism is less an indication First the author, an American Christianity would make a dif- of that system as it is preached Baptist missionary for 28 years ference, if practiced. Where Mr. and now on the China Christian Barker differs is in proposing today than a reflection of the ef- Council staff, gives a brief statethat we do something about it; fect that a high Barthianism has ment as to the Marco Polo and in envisaging the revolution on a sensitive and social-minded Bridge incident in July, 1937, in concrete economic-social that was used as an excuse for Christian. the Japanese military advance. terms. Capitalism is flatly de- Even those who cannot go all The result has been increasing solidarity, resistance and announced; absolute pacifism is the way with the author can tagonism to Japanese on the part held up as the only really Chris- profit from reading such a book. of Chinese sufferers. tian position; repeatedly the No one can read it with compla- In the midst of this suffering saying is quoted, that "the bias cency. A gift at pointed phrase- and cruelty the story of the sacof the disciple who has the mind making makes truth stick. Al- rificial service of Christian mis- sionaries stands out as an epic of Christ, will always be towards most at random one may note: of heroism. They have defied communism." The truly radical "They were pricked to the threats, danger, suffering and nature of Christ's religion is so death. Men and single women heart-by the sharp point of the have stuck to their posts in order plain, we are told, that only those that they might minister to the can miss it who are comfortably Cross which had been driven Chinese refugees and wounded. cushioned in their own security. into the heart of God." "His The story quoted from various centers is thrilling and might be A Christian who speaks thus death was necessary for the greatly enlarged. should have earned the right to hard-hearted whose ve r y re- spectability obscured the i r Chapter three describes some do so; and Mr. Barker, as head need." of the work of relief, the exodus of a Methodist mission in the from invaded areas and the refamous (or infamous) Welsh "The Cross is no historic trick sults of air-raids. Christian to appease an angry God; it is work in "occupied" areas is the coal-mining district, has not only the eternal truth of God and His seen the end-results of capital- way with man in all his history." ism in a "Christian" country but has given his own life to bring a "The Kingdom (of God) is Christian solution. our world seen under the aspect The distinctive feature of this of the universal sovereignty of author's viewpoint is the God." "The significance of Jesus can warmth of his evangelical fervor, his high reverence for never be taught as a doctrine; Christ, and his deep-rooted it is born of that knowledge Christian faith. In no irritable which comes from love of him." or sarcastic spirit, but in love, "It remains true, however, that no man can lift a hand to place moves the entire argument. Mr. the crowns of earth's kingdoms
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
subject of chapter four. Mis- only once and then merely to re- Church and the Oxford Group," sionaries and Chinese Christians fer to an incident, his theological and that the Church should not have carried on with increasing viewpoint is apparently the same be "guilty of the insensate folly vigor, in spite of heavy losses. as that of the first four chapters of rejecting unity with any force Most of the mission stations re- of that formerly much discussed that can help in the winning of main open and active and thir- but now half forgotten volume. the spiritual world war." Critics teen of the great Christian edu- He holds that "the answer to of the "Groups" may not relish cational institutions are still in present world turmoil is a new such a characterization. The operation but eight of them have Christianity freed from the dog- book as a whole is excellent, a moved to new locations. Their matic metaphysics of the Catho- fervent summons to Christians enrolment is 4,305 compared lic Church, and from both the to get in pe'rsonal touch with God with 7,098 for the previous year. irresponsible otherworldliness of and unite in a spiritual mass The great Chinese trek to the Lutheranism and the legalistic movement which God can mobil- "new West" is briefly described conception of Calvinism." He ize for the salvation of the world. as the greatest mass movement strongly urges a "liberal Prot- ARTHUR J. BROWN.
of population in modern history. estantism" w h i c h "recognizes Factories, public buildings, rail- the will of God as supreme over Toward a Literate World. By Rev. roads and bridges have been de- all life, individual and national," FTank C. Laubach, Ph.D. Foreword stroyed in the path of the in- a Christianity the heart of which by Prof. Edward L. Thorndike of vaders. The last chapter (Nine) is the revelation of God in Columbia University. 8vo. 175 pp. describes the present missionary Christ, and the goal of which is $1.50. Columbia University Press. New York. 1938.
"opportunity." The prestige of the Kingdom of God as Jesus Dr. Laubach's short cut meth- Christianity was never so high described it. Those who do not od of teaching illiterates to read and people everywhere are ready as well as those who do agree and write has created quite a to listen to the Gospel proclaimed with some of Dr. White's state- stir not only among the Moros by men and women who are giv- ments and theological presuppo- of the Philippines where it was ing their lives for China and are sitions will find much in this revealing Christ by their acts as thoughtful and remarkably in- originally tried, but in India, well as by their words. teresting book in which they will Africa, and other lands. Dr. heartily concur. This book furnishes material Laubach has been called "an for many missionary addresses. ARTHUR J. BROWN. evangelist of literacy" who carries on his campaign success- A Working Faith for the World. By The Church Can Save the World. By fully among all classes of people. Hugh Vernon White. 213 pp. Samuel M. Shoemaker. 162 pp. He estimates the illiterates of $2.00. Harper & Bros. New York. $1.5!J. Harper & Brothers, New 1938. York. 1938. the world at 62 % of the popula- Although Dr. White became The rector of Calvary Protest- tion and in some countries it is sec ret a r y of the American ant Episcopal Church, New Board of Commissioners for York, has earned the right to be as high as 90 %. The progress Foreign Missions only seven heard and read. At the age of thirty-two, he took an old down- toward literacy has been steady during the past thirty years but it has been slow. By Dr. Lau- bach's method illiterates have years ago, he has already won a town Protestant E pis cop a I learned to read their native recognized place a m 0 n g the church (Calvary), with a large tongue in a few weeks. This scholarly thinkers and writers plant and a small congregation; will be of immense advantage in on missionary problems. The his flaming zeal has made it an general education and in openthesis of his present volume is evangelistic powerhouse in that ingavenues of Christian truth. well expressed in its title. He part of the city. . The present What has been accomplished and presses for a "faith" that volume, like its predecessors, the method, form a fascinating "works." In Part I, "Christian- shows that he has something to story. Missionaries and educaity a World Faith," he discusses say and that he knows how to tors in backward countries will the world's need of a unifying say it in straight-forward fash- be especially interested in Dr. faith, the different kinds of reli- ion. He believes that the situa- Laubach's story and many will gion, the role of religion in hu- tion at home and abroad is omi- be eager to apply his principles man life, and the effect of reli- nous with peril, but that the to their own people. The achievegion on civilization. In Part II, Church can yet be used to save ments among the Moros and the "Christianity at Work," he dis- the world if its members will influence on their whole life and cusses the religious character of dedicate themselves to the task thought constitute a miracle of the world mission, "sharing and in full surrender to the guidance progress.
beyond," and the two poles of of God. His viewpoint is that of the Christian movement. Part the "Oxford Group," of which he Directory of World Missions. Edited III describes the "Objectives of is the recognized leader in the by Joseph 1. Parker. 8 vo. 255 pp. Christianity" as Christian truth, United States. His zeal leads International Missionary Council. Christian personality, and Chris- him to declare that "antichrist New York. 1938. tian community. While he men- has been busy attempting to This companion volume to the tions "Re-Thinking Missions," wedge apart the organized "Statistical Survey" gives the
main facts-names, addresses, subsistence by hard work. The do not believe, in the hope of officers, periodicals and fields of reward 'Of toil, outside of char- winning their assent but we the mission boards, societies, col- acter and personality building, meet with disappointment. Why leges and councils connected is kept before the reader in the with Protestant foreign mis- form of wage'S or returns for is this? Such books are good sions. Merely this brief direc- service. The change of wages and useful, but· is there some tory impresses one with the mag- in various economies is carefully other approach to which Chrisnitude of the enterprise. Over considered as related to China. tianity must turn? Canon 1,100 organizations are listed Barry's restatement is firm and (without duplications abo u t The 3,000 years of feudalism persuasive-a genuine and hon- 1,000) ; these are related to nine- in China repeated many condi- est service to the Christian teen denominational families and tions found in the world tQday, cause. He himself, no doubt, independent groups. The Pres- showing the way to organic CQ- feels the perplexity. Our Chrisbyterians and the Reformed rep- operation among variQus ecoresent the largest number of so- nomic groups. The study of tian case is clear. Why then do cieties, (83); the Lutherans wages is fruitful for the scholar, men not believe? That is our come next (60); the Methodists the agriculturalist, the me- problem. The Gospel of John is next (43); and the Baptists chanic, the tradesman and 'Other full of answers to it. (42) . Independent and "Faith" workers but nQt to the militarist missions are not separately whose life is built on the philoso- R. E. SPEER. listed, but they number over 175, phy of force. union enterprises. 275 and indig- Steps Toward the World Council. enous societies over 100. The This book traces the primal By Charles S. McFarland. 8 vo. independent "Faith" missions cell of China in society toances- 128 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell have had an especially large tral relations and then thrQugh Co., New York. 1938. growth in the past twenty-five property holding, bartering and years. This reference volume is the problems of industrial diffi- The recent Conference at particularly valuable for mission- culties. Facts as to' incQme, the Utrecht, Holland, draws attenary executives. cost 'Of living and the means of tion to the movement for church subsistence are carefully CQm- unity. The next step seems to Adventures of Service. Stories of piled. In an estimated popula- bet h e "World Council 'Of Modern Pioneers. By D. M. Gill and tion of 474,569,181 or 80% are Churches," proposed at the Ox- A. M. Pullen. 127 pp. $1.00; paper, active in agriculture. The me- ford and Edinburgh Conferen- 50 cents. Friendship Press. New chanical trades are growing in ces. Dr. McFarland, who was York. 1938. number and their products are the first Secretary of the Fed- becoming diversified. These eral Council of Churches of Here are eight stories of facts help the missionary to Christ in America, presents a pioneers who worked against gauge, not only the condition but brief history of the Movement, heavy odds to help their fellow the possible support to be ex- showing the need, progress and men and women. Some are well pected fQr the Church and its some of the suggested plans; known -like Jane Addams and institutiQns. Booker T. Washington. Others Victory Through Youth. By Luther are comparatively unknown- While there is nO' direct ref- J. Holcomb. Booklet. 83 pp. 25 like John Flynn of Central Aus- erence to the Christian mission- cents. Boardman Press, Nashville, tralia, Edward Wilson of the ary enterprise as such, every- Tenn. 1938. Antarctic Scott Expedition and thing in the book bears some re- Sophia Jex-Blake of Scotland lation to missions and to all life It is estimated that over 15,- who opened the medical profes- as related to sound economic sion to women. They a'"8 read- principles. JOHN M. G. DARMS. 000,000 young people under the able stories told fQr young people. Additional facts, a few What Has Christianity to Say? By age of thirty are connected with dates and names of places are F. R. Barry. 192 pp. $2.00. Haradded in the notes in the ap- pers. New York. Protestant churches in America. pendix. Canon Barry deals in this At least 10,000,000 are Roman Der Arbeitslohn in China. By Prof. fresh and refreshing book with Dr. Paul Arndt, Dr. Djini-Schen the modern world in its sickness Catholics and 40,000,000 are and Dr. Chii-Fen-Lo. R. M. 9. and with the Gospel worded to Hans Buske, Leipzig. the mind and speech of the mod- outside any church. One-half 'Of ern world a'S the one remedy for Every missionary to China its disease. To us who believe these are between twelve and will find great prQfit from read- it seems that such a statement, ingthis illuminating and inform- meeting the modern mind in its thirty years of age. Mr. Holative book. Evidently it was own habitat, ought to be conwritten after years of research, vincing. Of many present-day comb, a young man, writes of and from first-hand knQwledge statements of the Christian view of the field, by men who gained we have this feeling. And often the need of these youth for a we give these books to men who spiritual revival. The first sec- tion deals with planning a re- vival, suggesting committees and their work. The second part is a series of ten very short mes- sages from such men as Dr.
George W. Truett, J. H. Pace and Norman W. Cox. While the general tenor is Baptist, the whole book relates to youth and their spiritual revival. It has a definite message and practical value. •
Missionary BookshelF Prisoner of War 31,163-Bedros M. Dr. William Pierson Merrill
Sharian. Ernest Pye. 202 pp. recently resigned from the pastorate $1.50. Revell. New York. (Concludea from page 620.) of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City, has been elected A Year of Children's Sermons. By Soudan's Second Sunup. Desmond W. President of the International Com- Joseph A. Schofield, Jr. 192 pp. Bittinger. 254 pp. $2.00. Elgin mittee of the World Alliance for In- $1.50. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Press. Elgin, Ill. ternational Friendship through the Tenn. 1938. Churches. Dr. Merrill is also Presi- Studies in Church Unity. Angus Dun. 48 pp. World Conference on Faith The pastor of the First Pres- and Order. New York. dent of the Church Peace Union. byterian Church of Gouverneur, Urban Scene. Margueritte Harmon New York, has acquired the art Bro. Illus. 61 pp. 25 cents. Friend- … … * of preaching also to adults ship Press. New York. through his talks to children, Vivid Experiences in Korea. William Rev. J. Quinter Miller, Ph.D., has without seeming to do so. All H. Chisholm. 136 pp. $1.00. Bible succeeded Dr. Roy B. Guild as Executhe stories in this volume of Institute Colportage Assn. Chicago. tive Secretary of the Federal Counfifty-two sermons-and they are The Spirit of the Shepherd. M. P. cil's Field Department. Dr. Miller real sermons, each based upon a Krikorian. 125 pp. $1.00. Zon- will continue to carry part-time re- Scripture te~an be adapted dervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. sponsibility in the work of the Con- necticut Council of Churches.
… … * Rev. Eleazar Guerra has been elected Bishop of the Methodist Church of Mexico. He is a graduate to local audiences. In some of Studies in Hymnology. Mrs. Crosby of the Southern Methodist University them, simple objects are used as Adams. 96 p:p,. $1.00. Cokesbury of Dallas, Texas. Press. NashvIlle. illustrations. H. H. F. .. * .. The Star in the East. C. Darby Ful- Sclrsi.ptu6are. Calendars for 1939. lB. and ton. 264 pp. Presbyterial). Com- Kemal Ataturk, President and each. Pickering & Inglis. mittee on Publication. founder of modern Turkey, died on November 10th at 58 years of age. The Victory Life. John Wilmot Ma- He is succeeded in the presidency by London and Glasgow. General Ismet Inonu, former Premier and sometimes called "the conscience These daily calendars combine hood. 120 pp. 35 cents. Zonder- of Ataturk." The late president was dates, Scripture texts, and com- van Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. regarded as a military genius who ments from well known Bible seized the reigns of power at the end teachers. The larger calendars What Has Christianity to Say? F. of the World War in 1918 and built a (with the comments from men R. Barry. $21.00. 190 pp. Harper dictatorship (nominally a republic) on like D. L. Moody, Horatius Bo- Bros. New York. the ruins of the Caliphate of Constan- tinople. The new president is expected The Way of Partnership in India. P. L. Garlick. Is. 86 pp. C. M. S. nar, F. B. Meyer, Arthur T. Pier- London. son, Campbell Morgan, Graham to continue constructive work in Tur- Scroggie, Hudson Taylor and Youth in the Toils. Leonard V. Har- key and to preserve friendship with others) are one shilling six pence rison and Pryor McNeill Grant. Great Britain and the Soviet Union. each; the others are one shilling. 167 pp. $1.50. Macmillan. New He is looked upon as an able soldier, York. a talented diplomat and a stern ruler.
There are also almanacs and di- Personal Items He was said to be responsible for aries that make very useful gifts abolishing the Moslem Caliphate, –especially to missionaries. closing religious schools and monas- teries, and forcing Turks to discard Dr. Hu Shih, the new Chinese am- the fez and wear hats. bassador at Washington, is the highest type of Chinese practical philosopher New Boole. and sage, with an American education. J)pmn~ He is not a professing Christian like. Central Africa Revisited. D. M. Mil- his predecessor Dr. C. T. Wang, but ler. 120 pp. 2s. Africa Inland is sympathetic with Christian ethics of tbe and ideals. Dr. Hu Shih is anti-mili- Mission. London. taristic and has been working for peace and unity in China, based on Cruickshank of Calabar. 6aA. lePxiacnkdeerr- literacy unity with a common national €btf~tfan Gammie. 110 pp. 2s. tongue, general education and agreeing & Inglis. London.
Five Times Ten. A Child's Story of ment in ideals. He uses politics to 1fft the Woman's Missionary Union. promote education, unity and liberty ell BOOK of worship in song, com- Myrtle Anderson Love. 64 pp. 25 based on it general recognition of the bining a hymnal for general cents. Broadman Press. Nashville. rights of man. He wrote in The Forum in 1927: church use, and a Song book for evan- Interpretative Statistical Survey of ~elistic purposes. Oilly songs sound the World Mission of the Chris- "The part played by the mission- tian Church. Edited by Joseph I. aries in the modernization of China In the faith and inspirational in char- Parker. 324 pp. $5.00. Interna- will long be remembered by the Chi- acter included—emphasizing Evan~e1- tional Missionary Council. New nese, even though no Christian church ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. York. be left there. They were the pioneers of the new China. . . . They agitated against foot binding, which eight cen- Japanese Terror in China. H. J. Tim- turies of esoteric philosophizing in na- Many of the new—the best of the old. perley. 220 pp. 75 cents. Modern tive China had failed to recognize as Age Books. New York. an inhuman institution." 504 Songs Responsive Readings The Man by the Side of the Road. … … * Topical Index Gold Embossed Willard W. Bartlett. 62 pp. 50 cents. Albert Pub. Co. Westerville, George H. Theuer, a graduate of Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Ohio. Yale University Sheffield Scientific edition only at $65.00 per 100–an especially School and a member of the Evan- low price. Single copy, 8Sc postpaid.
Write toda, for returnable sample cop, Patches-Missionary Life in India as gelical Church, has been called to be CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Seen by a Dog. Loretta P. Root. associate secretary of the Student Illus. 98 pp. $1.00. Women's Mis- Volunteer Movement, 254 Fourth 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET sionary Society, Winona Lake, Ind. Avenue, New York. HARRISBUR.G, PA.
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The Missionary Review of the World — October 1938
1938
• Special India Number India as a Mission Field Today Alexander McLeish Some Important Facts About India Editorial Present Day Indian Religions Nicol Macnicol An Indian View of the Task in India S. K. Datta India's Attitude Toward Christianity A. Ralla Ram The Place of Education in India P. G. Bhagwat Indian Christian Missionary Work P. Damman Philip Work for the Outcastes of India J. Waskom Pickett Indian Women Evangelizing India E. Naomi Wells "The Blind Receive Their Sight" Stuart Bergsma Three Great Missionaries to India C. E. Abraham "The Church Takes Root in India" F. M. Perrill Best Methods for Creating Interest Grace W. McGavran Helpful Books for the Study of India Basil Mathews 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Per.onal Item. Obituary
October 4-S-Warren, Ohio, School of Fred B. Fieber Memorial Mrs. John S. AIlen, of New Yot. Missions. Mrs. George Konold, 314 ' Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Ohio. Ten years ago Dr. Fred Fisher City, died in Portsmou~ New~ October 5-12- United Lu therail. brought a Hindu temple from Be- shire, on August 25. Edith Mar H~ Church in America, Biennial Con- nares, India. Just before his death den was born sixty-nine years aa9. ~ vention, Baltimore, Md. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. CJuUolilli he promised it to a Southern College Hedden of Newark, New Jersey.8be 'om' married the Rev. Dr. John S. All.." in Lakeland, Florida, where it is now October 6 – General Conference of being erected under the supervision wDhuotchwaRsefaosrsmisetdantMmaribnliesteCr oollfeda "', the Evangelical Church, Johnstown, of Mrs. Fisher, as a memorial to her Pa. husband. The temple will stand near Church, New York, from 1906 to 191 " October 9-10-Home Missions Confer- the E. Stanley Jones School of Reli- and who died in 1934. Mrs. Allen wq; ence on the City Church. Buffalo, gion; it will be surmounted by a N.Y. cross, and inside,,"-instead of an idol, active in Christian work, having beea" for over twentr years the Secreblr.r October 14-20 – American Lutheran there will be an 'altar, signifying the of the Woman s Board of DomestJe' Church Biennial Convention, San- change that has taken place in many Missions of the Reformed Church tit' dusky, Ohio. Hindu villages. America. ' ••• October 16-21-International Conven- ••• Rev. Carey Bonner, formerw ot tion,_ Disciples of Christ. Denver, Rev. Robert F. Ogden, D.D., a Colo. Southern Presbyterian missionary, is Bengal, died in England last J~ October 20-Baltimore, Md., Institute going to the Louisville (Kentucky) He was the author of a missionary Theological Seminary as instructor in cantata, "In God's Garden." Mr. Bon- for Church Women. Mrs. Bruce H. Hebrew and Old Testament for the a,.. ner also prepared the musical setti~ McDonald, 515 West Fayette Street, academic year 1938-39, a position Baltimore, Md. made vacant by the death of Dr. Jesse for the two Bengali hymns which Lee Cotton in December, 1937. • • pear in "Hymns For Today." October 24-25 – Home Missions Con- ference on the City Church. Cleve- ••• • land, Ohio. Mrs. Ervin L. Pederson, of Saba- Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who IeftIndia ranpur, India, a missionary under the: October 25-27-Congregational-Chris- in July for an evanr,listic tour of Board of. Foreign Missions of the: tian Mid-West Regional Meeting, Australia and the Umted States, will Presbyterian Church, was killed by & Wichita, Kansas, under aUspices of take part in the University Christian landslide in Landour, India, August 6- the Missions Council. Mission under the auspices of the Before her marriage she taught in October 31 to Nov. 1-Home Missions Federal Council of Churches, October Isabella Thoburn College, and when, in 1923, she married Mr. Pederson, Conference on the City Church. 2 to December 2. Dr. Jones plans to she went with her husband to Allaha. Kansas City, Mo. sail December 4 for England, and · . . from there he will fly to Madras to be • bad where both taught in the Institute. November 6-11-International Good- will Congress. San Francisco, Calif. in time for the International Mission- •• ary Conference, DecembeT 13-30. William Charles Willoughby, wbo December 6-9-Biennial meeting of is remembered for his ministry in the Federal Council of Churches, Khama's country and for founding' Buffalo, N. Y. Helen Keller has been al?pointed by President Roosevelt as chairman of a TigerkIoof, died recently in London. December 13-30 – International Mis- commission to promote the govern- After Prof. Willoughby was advised sionary Council, Madras, India. ment purchase of goods made by blind by doctors to give up work he taught persons. ••• in, the Kennedy School of Missions in Hartford, Conn., for several years, and while there wrote authoritative ISERVICE I Rev. W. T. Morris, B.A., who has books on the Bantu. succeeded Rev. Robert Griffith as Sec- ••• retary of the London Missionary So- Rev. Emory W. Hunt, D.D., Bap- ciety for Wales and Monmouth, has tist educator, preacher and mission- been active in social service in the dis- ary leader, died May 20, at the age of tressed areas of South Wales. He was one of the secretaries that organ- 66. Dr. Hunt, for 20 years, was a member of the American Baptist For"; IF YOU are considering the • • • ized the miSSionary exhibition of 1926. eign Mission Society, and later was publication of a book, Mr•• Eunice Gabbi Weaver, Bra- President of Denison University and • • • then of Bucknell University. pamphlet, or tract, why not zilian wife of an American Methodist let us make it for you? Our missionary, now on a visi~ to America, Dr. William Goodell Frost, Presi- has devoted her life to the preventive facilities are most modem, phases of le'p'rosy treatment. She was dent of Berea College, Kentucky, from and our location is at the one of Brazll's delegates to the Inter- 1892 to' 1920, died at his home in 1 "heart of distribution." Esti- national Congress on Leprosy in Cairo. Berea on September 11th. Dr. Frost was 84 years of age, having been born mates on your pllrticu/ar re- ••• in Leroy, N. Y., July ~f 1854. After quirements, with expert Dr. Oscar B. Maurer, since 1915 being graduated from uoerlin College, Recording Secretary of the American counsel, will be gladly fur- Board, is the new Moderator of the he was a professor there until going nished on request. Congregation-Christian Church. He to Berea. Dr. Frost was a fascinat- in, speaker and writer on the Moune~ 8otJu. has been for thirty rears pastor of tameers of the South and did much the Center Congregational Church of to bring their needs before the atten- New Haven, Conn., and has served p~ twenty-four years on the Executive tion of Americans everywhere. When he went to Berea, the college Committee of the American Mission- trained both Negro and White stu- E:FFE:CTIVE: PRINTING AT • ary Association. ECONOMICAL PRICE:S dents but in 1904, Kentucky pro- •• hibited teaching Negroes and Whites Dr. Hugh Elmer Brown, pastor of in the same classes. The Negroes, The Evangelical Pre•• the First Congregational Church of therefore, were sent to other institu- Evanston, Dl, was elected President PriIIIIs.. 01 of the Congregational Board of Home tions. For the following 16 years Dr. The Jf~ …… o/fIuJ World Frost worked to build up the student Third and R.ily St:….b Missions at the General Council at body and to secure income and endow- Beloit. His church in Evanston is . Harri.&url, P.nnsylvania known as the ''winter capital of Con- ments. When he went to Berea the school had only 375 students; when gregationalism." he left there were 1,218 studentll.
MISSIONARY Editorial Chat how much I enjoy your
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Herewith we publish our special magazine. Since I went out to the DELAVAN L. PIBBSON, Editor INDIA number of THE REVIEW. It Peruvian field four years ago, with will repay a careful reading, especial- my family, we have received the RE- VOL. LXI OCT., 1938 No. 10 ly the articles by Indian Christians. VIEW as the thoughtful gift of a Other papers, not received in time for Publication and Business OIDce– this issue, may be expected in our No- friend. It has been one of our most Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. vember and December numbers. One fertile sources of inspiration, and has of particular interest is by W. Q. provided a fund of useful missionary Editorial and Executive OIDce– Lash of the Ohrista Prema Seva information. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Sangha of Poona. He deals with the Entered as second-class matter at Indian Sadhu and Ashram as an ef- IRANaNza. rTreAnYeLOCRnl uMrcihssiino=Preyruo.f the fective means of spreading Christian- Post OIDce, Harrisburg, Pa., under ity in India. "We find * *RE*VIEW especially Act ot March 3, 1879. Send in your orders early. THE 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Dr. S. M. T*enn*ey,*curator of the helpful in our loan packages and we Published monthly, except August. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1938. Historical Foundation Library of the recommend it at every available op- British agents – Marshall, Morgan Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, portunity." and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, desires to complete the files of THE ALMERE L. SCOTT, Director, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Dept. of Debating and Public 10 shillings a year. especially copies of the first ten years Discussion, University of of THE REVIEW, 1878-1887. Wisconsin. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC. This library, located at Montreat, We couldn't *"ke*ep *house" without N. C., is in a fireproof building and BOARD OF DIRECTORS has the best collection of books and the MISSIONARY REVIEW. We depend ROBERT E. SPEER, President reports of Presbyterian and Reformed upon it to keep up on general mission A. L. WABNSHUIS, Vic8-Pre8itJ8nf Church work in existence. Dr. Ten- trends in the interdenominational WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer ney has spent many years in his ef- world, and appreciate particularly DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Becretaf'!/ forts to build up this remarkable col- your two issues per year given over lection. to the interdenominational study PAUL J. BRAISTED themes. Of these issues we distribute SAMUEL MCCREA. CAVERT *** great numbers to our general church constituency, particularly for use in D. J. FANT Among the recent comments on women's missionary groups. THE REVIEW, received from various MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD friendly readers, are the following: Very truly yours, WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH "I take this opportunity to tell you GENEVIEVE BROWN, SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Executive Secretary, Mission- Before the various communions or ary Education Department, denominations can agree among one United Christian Missionary another, each must obviously agree Society. within itself.-T. S. Eliot, London.
~25,000 PASTORS USE Cbt IIpptr Room More than 25,000 pastors-in America and other lands-are using THE UPPER ROOM in their congregations and have found it immensely helpful, not only as a daily devotional guide for individual and family worship, but also for its value in encouraging such important phases of a year-round church program as Family altars Church attendance Daily Bible reading Soul winning If your church has not used THE UPPER So effective is this devotional periodical in strengthening the religious ROOM, the fourth quarterly issue, now ready lives of those who read it regularly, that in the brief period of three for distribution, is an excellent one to begin years it attained a circulation of 1,000,000 copies per issue. with. Decidedly one of the best yet published, it will prove a valuable aid in your fall and CONSIGNMENT ORDER INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION· winter program. Issue lor October, November, December THE UPPER ROOM. You are invited to order the October-No- (For use 01 Pastor or Group Leader. vember-December issue on our liberal con- Order ten or more copies.) Doctors' Building, signment plan. Use the order form at the Nashville, Tenn. right. THE UPPER ROOM, Gentlemen: EL APOSENTO ALTO, the Spanish edition Doctors' Building, I am inclosing herewith thirty cents of TIlE UPPER ROOM, is available at the Nashville, Tenn. same price as the English. (Ioreign, lorty cents) lor which please Gentlemen: send me The Upper Room for one year, THE UPPER ROOM Please send me copies 01 The Upper Room postpaid. I will postpaid, begininng with _ _ _ __ Doctors' Building Nashville, Tenn. sell these lor five cents per copy and quarterly issue. pay lor same when sold. It is under- Name stood that I have the privilege 01 re- &treet or Route _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ turning at your expense any unsold Post-ollice _ _ _ _ _ State _ __ copies. • A single copy by mail anywhere 10 Name cents. Street or Route _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Post-ollice _ _ _ _ _ State _ __ [449 ]
hy H. R. Ji'e"fJer FOUR METHODS OF MISSIONARY WORK IN
1. Education-Students in Rang Mahal School, Lahore. 3. Industrial-A Carpentry Class at Moga, Panjab. 2. Medical~'aklng Blood Tests in Leper Asylum, Allahabad. 4. Evangelistic-A Bible Woman Telling the Gospel Story. ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 1938 Topics of the Times AS CHRIST LOOKS AT INDIA works of mercy, He looked with righteous indig- nation. Does He not look with the same dis- India's view of Christ has vastly changed in the pleasure today on Indian priests, gurus and other past fifty years. Then, so far as she saw Christ at all, India looked upon Him as some strange leaders who selfishly seek to keep the people from following the true Light?
foreign God, an enemy of the Hindu deities. She Toward the weak and erring, as in the cases looked upon Him and His representatives as the of the woman taken in adultery and Peter in his opponents of caste and the suttee, of the Hindu denial, Jesus looks into Indian hearts today with temple rites and of Hindu priests; of child mar- sorrow and rebuke, but with understanding and riage, purdah and other long established customs. a deep desire to bring victory out of defeat. Consequently the Gospel of Christ was bitterly opposed, especially by the priests, and converts The varied motives and acts of men He sees were ostracized or threatened with death. Today with clear discernment, as when he distinguished between the gifts of the poor widow and of the the name of Christ is honored by great multitudes rich who cast their money into the temple treasof Indians, even by those who do not profess to ury. Does He not see, today as then, the varied accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Men like Dr. motives and values in the gifts of missionaries Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. Ambedkar, Mr. Na- and Indian Christians as they offer their lives, tarajan, (Editor of the Indian Social Reformer) their children, their testimonies and their ma- and Mahatma Gandhi, acknowledge the suprem- terial gifts to God? Like the Father, Jesus disacy and beauty of the character and teachings of cerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Jesus, even while they refuse to accept His claims Toward the -ignorant and helpless multitudes, and do not acknowledge His authority. This who are still like sheep without a shepherd, Jesus change of attitude has been brought about chiefly was and is moved with compassion. Then he by the lives and faithful witness of missionaries looked on the sorrowing widow of Nain whose who have sacrificially interpreted Christ to the only son had died, on the leper who came for people of India. Today caste, long looked upon cleansing, on the blind who sought healing, and He as the great obstacle to Christianity, is gradually gave them help. He had compassion on the hunlosing its hold on India and there are signs that gry crowd by the sea of Galilee and fed them. great masses of the people may wish to come into How about Christ's view of the three hundred the Christian Church-in fact they are coming. and fifty million people in India today? He can The attitude of India toward Christ has indeed still·supply the Bread of Life and asks His dischanged. What about the attitude of Christ to- ciples to distribute Living Bread to the hungry. ward India? He who is "the same yesterday, to- Toward all India, and in a peculiar way toward day and forever" does not change; His attitude earnest souls who have been endeavoring to live toward the people of India is the same as it was up to their light, Christ's attitude is one of yearntoward ignorant, sinful and suffering mankind in ing and appealing love. During His days on the days when He came to earth to seek and to earth, when the law-abiding young man came runsave the lost, nineteen centuries ago. What was ing and kneeled before him, we are told that His attitude then? "Jesus beholding him, loved him." The price that On the selfish hypocrites and the hard-hearted, Indians today are called upon to pay for followwho opposed His healing on the Sabbath and other ing Jesus Christ is great-too great in the minds [451 ]
of some-but, as of old so today, Jesus loves these The Jerusalem Conference also gave a new groping multitudes and calls them to leave all and impetus to the program of evangelism. The Five- follow Him. Year Movement in China was one result; the India today is filled with its multitudes of sin- Kingdom of God Movement in Japan was another; ning, suffering, i'gnorant and hungry men, women in India there wail also the Forward Evangelistic and children but they are lovable-God loves Movement and a closer study of the Mass Move- them and Christ died for them. What wonderful ments. The "Jerusalem Message" was a great possibilities He sees in them! What a privilege it gift of God to His Church. It has been very is to help them attain larger life-Eternal Life- widely used and has stimulated and directed mis- so that they may grow into "the measure of the sionary effort.
stature of the fulness of Christ." Many Indian While the younger churches received more men and women, like Dr. Chatterji, Sadhu Sun- recognition at the Jerusalem Conference than at dar Singh, Susie Sorabji,and Pandita Ramabai, Edinburgh, at t1te Madras Conference their rep- have already shown what God can do in those and resentatives will equal or exceed in numbers the through those who yield their 'ives to Christ. delegates from the sending churches of the West.
This coming year shall we hot study India in In the younger churches of the mission lands in order that we may look upon the great people of 1903 there were 1,214,797 communicant members that wonderful land, through the eyes of Christ? (Protestants), eight years later there were 2,301,- By such a study we may see not only their short- 772; in 1925 the number had grown to 3,565,443; comings and their great need, but we may learn the new Statistical Survey reports that in 1935 to appreciate their wonderful possibilities and the there were 6,045,726 members. The younger transformations that have already been wrought churches are growing in size and independence. by the power of God. Here is a fascinating sub- Madras will be the most representative Ecuject for study; it is also a challenging opportu- menical Christian gathering ever known, reprenity to bring the people of India a saving knowl- senting particularly the Protestant world. Dele- gates will come from every continent and from edge of God's unspeakable Gift. sixty nations and races. Africa will have more * FROM EDINBURGH TO MADRAS native representatives than ever gathered at one place outside that continent. Latin America is to World-wide systematic missionary cooperation be fully represented; sixty delegates are expected began to develop at the Edinburgh Conference in from China and twenty-five from Japan. Others 1910. There bad been experiments in coopera- are coming from Moslem lands. Of all the elected tion before bm; only the American and German delegates to Madras, more than half will come missionary boards met together in conference be- from the younger churches. These people are fore that time. Today there are twenty-six Na- coming with great expectancy-with a great hope. tional Christian Councils and Conferences that We are living at a time when righteousness are fully organized for cooperation in promoting seems to be in danger of being defeated. We have the Kingdom of God throughout the world. From had a century of experiment in evangelical mis- Edinburgh, too, there sprang great Ecumenical sionary work. We have still much to learn in the Church Conferences. way of winning the individual to Christ and at The Jerusalem Conference in 1928 marked a the same time winning his family and his clan. distinct advance over Edinburgh. Those eighteen From Madras we hope there will grow it remarkyears revealed real progress in the conception of able forward movement in bringing the Gospel to the task. At Edinburgh they talked of unoccupied whole groups of people. A new challenge will be geographic areas. At Jerusalem there were no brought in evangelism. maps, no discussion of geography, no statistics. Madras will be concerned not only with evan- The discussions were in terms of Christ and hu- gelism but with the Church as a fellowship of beman relations-the whole idea of the missionary lievers in Christ. The organization and support task was enlarged. At Jerusalem the delegates of indigenous churches is one of the subjects that were not thinking merely of occupying the face challenge us. Madras will be concerned particuof the globe but of bringing Christ into control larly with the Church-its message, the sources of the whole range of human life. Thus a natural of its inner life, the promotion of unity and codevelopment was the emphasis placed on the need operation. of the great rural populations of Africa and Asia. We also learned that we must give more attention Madras will also bring a message to youthto the problem of presenting the Christian mes- otherwise it will fail. If the missionary movesage to the Jews. ment is going forward, the young people must carryon in the Name and Power of Christ. Much • Extracts from an address by Dr. A. L. Warnshuls, given at study and earnest prayer has been going up for the Farewell Dinner to the women delegates to the Madras Conference. Madras. We are trusting in God to lead us on to
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
a mount of vision where we may learn what He Another feature of the Survey is the more adewould do through us, and where we may receive quate place given to the work of the rising power for His world-wide work. churches in the various mission fields. The Sur- vey shows that most of these churches are grow- * SIGNS OF MISSIONARY PROGRESS ing in size and strength, in self-support, in mis- sionary activity and in independence. They are Foreign mission work has been carried on by facing their own problems; they are looking to the Christian Church ever since Paul and Barna- God and His Word for guidance; they may be bas were set apart at Antioch in Syria at the com- counted on to carry forward the work even if mand of the Holy Spirit and were sent out to foreign missionaries should be withdrawn. preach the Gospel of Christ in Asia Minor and beyond. They came back to report to the church One sign of progress-but perhaps the least at Jerusalem what God had been doing for the significant-is that the total Protestant Christian Gentiles through them. Ever since that time re- community in so-called "non-Christian lands" has ports of the missionary progress have been made -more or less complete – and in recent years increased over 50 % in the past decade. This is many volumes have been printed to show how God has fulfilled His promises and has continued not as large a percentage of growth as marked to work through His Church unto the uttermost the previous twenty-five years but the numerical part of the earth. increase has been much greater. In 1903 com- municants numbered 1,214,797 and in 1936 there A new statistical survey of world missions has are reported in the same fields 6,045,726-a fivejust been published under the auspices of the In- fold increase. At the same time it must be borne ternational Missionary Council, with many new in mind that the growth of the non-Christian popand valuable features. It is now thirteen years ulation in such lands as India, China and Japan since the "World Missionary Atlas" was pub- has been much greater than the numerical inlished, including statistics gathered from every crease of Christian believers. land and from practically all the Protestant missionary agencies. Many changes that have taken It is significant to note in this Survey the very place in the world-economically, politically and diversified activity of the 27,577 Protestant Chrisreligiously-have affected the whole missionary tian missionaries. They not only preach the Gossituation. These changes call for a new review. pel of Christ as evangelists but they have estab- lished 55,395 organized churches; they conduct The approach of the coming International Mis- 53,158 elementary schools and 1,923 higher schools sionary Conference at Madras in December also and colleges; they minister to health in 1,092 calls for a clear statement of the facts on which hospitals and 2,351 dispensaries and they support conclusions may be based. The Madras Confer- 195 orphanages and rescue homes. They have ence may be expected to mark the beginning of a also translated and printed the Bible in about new era in Protestant missions. Statistics speak 1,000 languages and dialects and each year disvolumes when rightly interpreted by those who tribute over 15 million Bibles, Testaments and know the facts; world-wide statistics are required Scripture portions. Other work in Christian litto make intelligent comparisons as to progress, erature, social service and industrial education is effective service and the extent of the unfinished not recorded here. task. This vast Protestant missionary enterprise is This new statistical survey is unique in the fact supported by free-will gifts from the home lands that twenty-six missionary specialists contribute amounting to $31,000,000 and an almost equal to the interpretation of the facts. These contrib- amount ($28,738,790) from the Christians on the utors include such missionary statesmen as Dr. mission fields. John R. Mott; professors of missions, such as Dr. K. S. Latourette; missionaries like John L. In the midst of the discouraging problems and Eakin of Siam; and Christians from mission difficulties of the present day, we find in this surlands, such as Dr. Paik of Chosen and Dr. Francis vey much to encourage. There is need to study Wei of China. Twenty-seven interpretive articles these facts and figures so that Christian misare supplied by these authorities, dealing with sion work may be better balanced and may be various mission fields and different phases of mis- carried forward in harmony with New Testament sion work, including evangelistic, educational, ideals and with full dependence on the guidance medical and literary activities. A special section and power of the Spirit of God. is devoted to Roman Catholic missions and another to Christian work among the Jews. CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY IN "OCCUPIED" AREAS IN CHINA • A review of the newly published "Interpretative Statistical Survey of the World Mission of the Christian Church." Edited by The Japanese-occupied areas of China, extend- J?seph I. Parker. 324 pp. $5.00. International Missionary Coun- ing over nine provinces, are marked by much suf- CIl, New York and London. 1938. fering and misery. But everywhere Christian
workers, foreign and Chinese, are continuing copal Church all the dormitory buildings are oc- faithfully and conscientiously their Christ-like cupied by the Christian workers and their fam- ministry. They are striving to counteract the ilies who were compelled to flee from the interior evils brought by the conflict in the nine provinces -altogether over 400 people. In addition, 250 of Kiangsu, Chekiang, Anhwei, Shantung, Shansi, women and children are housed in one of the Hopei, Honan, Charhar and Suiyuan. According wings of Yen Hall.
to charts compiled by the National Christian Some 1,298 churches of different denominations Council of China there are 261,500 of these Chris- in Japanese-occupied areas throughout the nine tians engaged in combatting the evils of war. provinces are rendering relief service; and 89 They have had the courage to remain in their mission hospitals are functioning within these homes to face dangers and are trusting God to areas. Nine universities, 2Z seminaries, 67 senior protect and help them. middle schools and 34 junior middle schools run Kiangsu reports 98,000 such Christians stick- by Christian missions are carrying on their aca- ing to their posts in the Japanese-occupied areas. demic work throughout regions now occupied by Scattered in the eight other provinces there are the Japanese.
also 65,000 in Shantung, 50,000 in Hopei, 20,000 The Church of Christ in China, which has its in Chekiang, 17,000 in Shansi, 5,000 in Honan, supervisory organization in the General Assembly 2,500 in Anhwei and 2,500 in Suiyuan and Char- with head office now in Hankow, has 61 churches, har. These Chinese Christians have a great field six hospitals, three senior middle and one junior of service, helping their war-afflicted fellow-men. middle schools in Kiangsu Province; 45 churches, The Christian hospitals and churches have proved one hospital and one senior middle school in Che- to be lifeboats in the storm-tossed sea. kiang Province; 230 churches, four hospitals, one The National Christian Council is the national seminary, two senior middle and two junior mid- and interdenominational body whose secretaries- dle schools in Shantung Province; 38 churches, American, British and Chinese-are busy raising four hospitals and two senior middle schools in funds for war relief. The N. C. C. is cooperating Hopei Province and 48 churches in Honan Prov- with the China International Famine Relief Com- ince.
mission. The Presbyterian Missions also report fifty In Nanking, despite the Japanese occupation, churches, two hospitals and five senior middle foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians are schools in Kiangsu Province; 58 churches, three earnestly trying to alleviate the suffering of 25,000 hospitals, three seminaries, four senior middle and destitute, mostly women and children in the two junior middle schools in Shantung Province refugee camps with the help of the Red Cross. and one university in Hopei Province.
Some of the missionaries in Nanking are seek- The American Methodist Episcopal Mission re- ing ways that will reform the Japanese soldiers. ports nine churches, one hospital, one seminary, Mr. Forster, of the American Church Mission, three senior middle and one junior middle schools says that "all sorts of evil influences surround the in Kiangsu Province; one hospital and one junior Japanese soldiers in Nanking-cabarets, saloons middle school in Anhwei Province; eleven and brothels . . ." He speaks of the possibility churches and two junior middle schools in Shan- of persuading the Japanese Church to send over tung Province; 71 churches, six hospitals, two Japanese to work among the troops, to hold serv- seminaries, six senior and two junior middle ices, keep open house, offer opportunities for read- schools in Hopei Province and three churches in ing, writing letters, and wholesome diversions. Charhar.
Such work would be invaluable for the men and Missions and denominations that maintain for the cause of Christ. churches and institutions in the Japanese-occu- In Shanghai, missionaries and Chinese Chris- pied areas include the China Inland Mission, Inde- tians form one of the most active groups in pendent Mission, American and English Baptist refugee relief work. No.2 camp has a capacity Mission, Bethel Mission, American Advent Mis- of 250 beds and an average daily clinic of between sion, Church of England Mission, American Board 150 and 160. Dr. Joseph McCracken, superintend- Mission (Congregational), American and Cana- ent of St. Luke's Hospital in Shanghai, and his dian Presbyterian Missions, the Salvation Army, staff are giving part of their time to this work. United Christian Mission, American Friends Mis- Many of the refugee camps are provided by Chris- sion, Northern and Southern Methodist Missions, tian groups and tens of thousands have been ac- and Oriental Mission.
commodated in single camps at different times. Is it any wonder that the Chinese are coming to The Salvation Army, backed financially by the realize, more and more, that the Christian mis- International Red Cross and by private subscrip- sionaries are their best friends, and that in Christ tions, has also done notable service. and His program are to be found the hope of At St. John's University of the Protestant Epis- China?
WHAT CAN RETIRED MISSIONARIES DO? spired letter, the "fruit of the Spirit" is not ora- tory or great deeds, or large gifts of money. The There are hundreds of missionaries who have fruit of the Spirit is seen in the manifestation of been obliged to retire from active service in their true love and in the resulting characteristic of chosen field because of temporary ill health or Christ. This fruit can be produced in the sick because they have reached a specified age limit. room and in missionaries who are without phys- Many are almost discouraged. They are "honor- ical strength. "Though the outward man is decayably retired" but retired nevertheless. Some are ing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." from home mission fields and others from foreign The result is often an inspiration to young people, lands where they have spent their energy in sac- leading them out into lives of consecrated service. rificial service. When these are obliged to return to their homeland on half-salary, many find them- Third: Many "Retired" missionaries can share selves in a strange land, among strangers, and their experiences with others by preaching and out of joint with their environment. What can speaking on missions, without any financial apthey do to use their time, their remaining energy peal. Many a congregation and many individuals and their rich spiritual experience? may be aroused to take a new interest in the work of the Kingdom by hearing what missionaries The first thought to consider is that the people have seen with their own eyes of the needs of in the homeland owe them a great debt for hav- man, and of the work of God, at home and abroad. ing been the representatives of the Church, in Any missionary who has spiritualli/e and experibehalf of Christ, in the distant and more difficult ence can be used to inspire and enlist others in sections of the vineyard. A royal welcome should the great world-wide campaign of Christ. John, be given these servants of Christ in every com- the apostle, is said to have continued his ministry munity, in every church and in every Christian until he was 100 years old-an age at which most circle. They should be made to feel at home and missionaries have been "retired." that their help and comradeship are needed and desired. CHRISTIAN COOPERATION IN IRAN But what can they do? Dr. Walter L. Lingle, The two principle evangelical church bodies in President of Davidson College, North Carolina, Iran have cordial relations with each other. The suggests (in the Christian Observer) some things leading body in the south is an outgrowth of the that "Retired Ministers" can do. Cannot Retired work of the Church Missionary Society of Eng- Missionaries do the same? land, and the one in the north of the American Presbyterian Mission. A census· shows hundreds First: They can engage in a special ministry of Christian converts from Islam, other hundreds of prayer. Nothing is more important than fer- of the Armenian race, a large body from the old vent prayer that is effectual. They have more Nestorian church, more than a hundred Jewish time to pray than most busy Christians think they converts and a few former Zoroastrians and memcan spend in this exercise. From long experience bers of other races. they know better how to pray. They have learned to know God; they know the scriptural principles A deepening of spiritual life is urged upon all of prayer; they know the needs of the field and of Christians and a series of meetings on the meanthe human heart; and they know the blessedness ing of Christ to the individual, led by Christian of answered prayer. They can pray for other mis- teachers and doctors, have resulted in awakened sionaries by name and need; for the children of interest, especially among young people. Other missionaries away from home, or in unwholesome series are to follow. A number of new converts surroundings. They can pray for the officials and from Islam are reported in the south and wherfor the problems of the native churches; and they ever a small group can be gathered this is used can pray for the office and work of the Boards as a nucleus for a church. at home. They can pray for the pastors, and Sunday-school teachers and for the churches of the At a Bible Conference at Ramadan last year communities where they live; they can pray for there were seventy-one women and seventy-four the 'conversion and consecration of individuals men delegates. (Forty-nine were converts from with whom they come into contact. Can anyone Islam, one from Zoroastrianism, thirty-eight were have a richer field of service? Armenian, sixteen were Assyrian by race, twenty- five were Jewish.) There was one Russian, and Second: Retired missionaries can show the fifteen English and American missionaries were power of Christ in personal life and conversation. in attendance. Many ripened saints are a benediction merely because of what they are as Christians, rather than Wherever Daily Vacation Bible Schools have because of what they do? "What they are shouts been held, results have far exceeded expectations so loud that we do not need to hear what they and there is also increased interest in literacy and say." According to the Apostle Paul in his in- adult education.
SOME FACTS ABOUT INDIA* AREA OF TWENTY BRITISH-CONTROLLED PROVINCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,094,300 Over four times the size of France; over twenty times the area of Japan proper.
AREA OF 562 INDIAN STATES AND AGENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711,032 These are in 18 geographical groups and the total areas are nine times the area of the British Isles.
TOTAL AREA OF INDIA (including Burma, but not Ceylon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,805,332 This is about two-thirds the area of Continental United States of America.
TOTAL POPULATION OF INDIA AND BURMA IN 1931 ……………………. 352,976,876 British Provinces ………….. 271,739,312 Indian States. … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81,237,564 PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES OF INDIA, AND NUMBER OF USERS (1921~.
Western Hindi ……………. 96,715,000 Bengali …………………. . 49,294,000 Telugu ………………….. 23,601,000 Marathi ………………… . 18,798,000 Tamil …………………… 18,780,000 Rajasthani ………………. . 12,681,000 Panjabi ………………….. 16,234,000 Oriya …………………… . 10,143,000 Karanese ………………… 10,734,000 Burmese ………………… . Gujerati …………………. Malayalam ………………. . 8,423,000 9,552,000 7,498,000 Eighteen other Languages – 73,000,000.
RELIGIONS OF INDIA AND BURMA: 1921 1981 Increase Hindu Sects …………………………… 216,734,586 238,463,996 10% Moslem. .. . . . . . . . . . . … . . . . … . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 68,73'> 233 79,889,792 16% Buddhists …………………………….. 11,571,268 12,725,329 10% Sikhs ………………………………… 3,238,803 4,316,717 33% J ains ………………………………… 1,178,596 1,205,245 9% Primitive Religions ……………………… 9,774,611 7,898,081 Loss 20% Christian ……………………………… 4,754,064 6,290,292 Gain 32% At the same time the population of India and Burma has increased over 11 %.
CHRISTIAN POPULATION OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON: Protestants ………..•………………….•…..•………….. 3,002,558 (Of these 901,804 are communicants) Roman Catholics …………………..•…….•.•..•………….. 2,113,659 (Counting all members of a family) Syrians, Armenians and Others •…••.••……………………….. 793,260 (About 2% of the people of India are counted as Christian adherents) DISTRIBUTION AND EVANGELIZED PEOPLES: Cities and villages of India ……………………………………………. 740,832 Cities and villages where Christians reside ………………………………. 46,794 Cities and villages where missionaries reside ……………………………… Villages without any Christians ………………………………………… 1,134 634,038 There are 2,313 towns and cities with populations of from 5,000 to 1,175,914 each.
INDIAN STATES UNOCCUPIED BY MISSIONARIES: Various areas .. . 958,113 Nepal ………. 5,600,000 Bhutan…… … 300,000 MISSIONARIES AND INDIAN CHRISTIAN WORKERS IN INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON: Missionaries "'M en Indian Men Women Women Pastors and Evangelists ………………… . 1,380 1,004 13,637 6,191 Educational Work ……………………… . 419 854 20,753 10,079 Medical Work ………………………… . 89 334 Miscellaneous …………………………. . 168 718 1,168 1,173 2,805 896 Total ……………………………. 2,056 3,456 37,913 18,334 These missionaries work in 281 societies-including 65 British, 51 American, 10 European, 10 from British Dominions and 35 Indian and Burmese societies.
THE MANY TYPES OF WORK conducted by missionaries are seen in the fact that there are 1,977 missionary institutions in India. These include 15 union schools and colleges, 50 agri- cultural settlements, 65 leper homes, 568 boarding schools, 242 high schools, 46 colleges, 34 printing presses, 112 industrial schools, 69 seminaries for pastors and evangelists, 283 hospi- tals, 525 dispensaries, 10 tuberculosis sanitariums, 12 homes for the blind, 40 homes for women, 75 orphanages and 37 social welfare institutions. Total Christian schools, 13,769.
• From the Statesman's Year Book, the India Directory of ChrIstian MIssIons (1933), and the Statistical Survey of the World MIssion (1938). ,.. I • & T ARA81AN SEA 6' __ INDIA, BURMA and CEYLON mis5fonUY oc.cu~ …!!2!1~~…. "-,-",, ……}-. ~~-=–=.:- ~{~– ,,'
From the India Directory of Christian Mi"sions THE MISSIONAR'Y OCCUPATION OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON Each dot represents one of the 1,134 stations where Protestant Missionaries reside. The unoccupied areas are easily distinguished. The numbers refer to British provinces and Indian states as numbered In the Direotory of Missions.
India as a Mission Field Today By ALEXANDER McLEISH, London i~ Formerly a missionary in Ajmerj now Survey Editor for "The World Dominion"
~==========================~, T HE study of India as a mission field today places out of the more than 670,000 towns and presents us with a problem of vast dimen- villages of India, and that Christians reside in sions. The demand which it makes on the certainly not more than 70,000 of these places, Christian Church might be considered from four of which more than half are in the Madras Presi- standpoints: dency alone, it can be seen how great that un- FIRST, there is the great unfinished task of finished task is. Five hundred Native State areas have still no resident missionary. There is only missionary occupation. When it is remembered an average of nine missionaries to 1,000,000 that missionaries are resident in less than 1,000 [457 ] people, and the greater number of these are con- church, of combating the economic dislocation fined to a small number of cities and urban areas. which their existence in the Indian environment A very large number of missionaries are absorbed has produced. There is also the need of working in institutional work so that a comparatively and praying for the day of a truly indigenous small number are free for the task of evangelism movement such as the many group movements of in the great rural areas. The pioneer work and today show to be inherent in the situation, and far-flung evangelism still called for seems quite towards which every effort should be deliberately beyond the ability of the foreign missionaries directed. likely to be· available. THIRD, we have the sphere of activity in the The possibility of the foreign worker achiev- 4,500 mission institutions of various kinds which ing much in this field is limited in other ways also. have sprung up. It is computed that less than five The climatic, the geographical and political diffi- per cent of the Qhristian community is served culties to be confronted have been largely the by these institutions, and only a fraction of one reason why the more difficult part of the task is per cent of the non-Christian community. Yet untouched. Linguistic difficulties also greatly there is more than one institution for every misincrease as the missionary moves out from the sionary. Many believe that there are too many; settled centres of life. The villages and hills that all do not serve the main objective of effechave innumerable dialects in addition to the 225 tive evangelism; that this type of effort has been main languages which make it slow and difficult over developed, and that consequently the number work for the foreigner. A pioneer mission would of these institutions should be reduced. Some be well advised, therefore, to study all these fac- missionaries feel that they can serve best in that tors and send out a few well-equipped men who particular type of work and if they can truly be could select qualified Indians who know the lan- most effective to the cause of evangelism and the guage and the people, and plan to carryon the future of the indigenous Church in this service, work of evangelism mainly through them. To it will be time well spent. But the new missionary send out large numbers of foreigners into this will not be able to judge as to this for a confield at this time of day is folly. The Indian siderable time, and may later feel convinced that Church must be called upon to produce its own such work could be better done by an Indian missionary volunteers, and in the fellowship of Christian. The fact that most of these institutions a few choice men from the West and with the sup- are under the charge of foreign missionaries (see port of Western churches, pursue a widespread list in "Directory of Church and Missions in India, work of evangelism, and proclaim by acts of Burma and Ceylon") shows that the process of Christian love and helpfulness the spirit and evolution, so much talked of, has not advanced power of the Christ whom they preach. That very far in them. In any case it would certainly seems the only wise policy in face of the great seem that the extent of institutional work has areas of India where the Gospel has not yet been been developed much beyond the power of the made known. present number of missionaries to conduct it, so that these enterprises suffer from under-staffing SECOND, there is the field of continuing the on one hand and on the other hand tie up the misevangelism of areas where the mission and the sionary and destroy his mobility in face of the un- Church is already established in some measure. finished evangelistic task which lies at his doors. Here the work is still slow, being mainly indi- In one city known to me there are over a hundred vidual work for individuals, resulting not in any missionaries, only one of whom is free for evangeneral movement as yet, but only in slowly build- gelistic work in either town or district. ing up little churches unfortunately largely divorced from the life of the country and not truly FOURTH-There is a great service for the misindigenous. This is not only slow, but very sion today in following up the great "mass movecostly work. I might instance a mission, typical ments," better called "group movements" which of very many, where 37 missionaries have labored are rapidly spreading over India. It must be for over thirty years with a quite substantial recognized that these movements, no matter how budget, and where there is a Christian community indigenous they may be, are the result of the of only about 300 people which is not even self- work of missionaries in these fields extending over supporting. The one hope of such work, provided a considerable period of years. They are parit is dealing effectively and intelligently with the ticularly the result of the widespread preaching evangelism of the rural areas, is that a group of the Gospel in rural areas which, however spasmovement will arise created from the understand- modically and imperfectly it has been done, gives ing of the Gospel. Until that occurs such work is us cause to thank God for this marvelous developlargely a question of marking time, of facing the ment which has overtaken the work in India, and artificial problems of a small conglomerate for the testimony of Indian Christians.
INDIA AS A MISSION FIELD TODAY
The Present-day Challenge in Group ing change, there group movements arise in which Movements the religious motive predominates and where the Christian Church can be established. It does not As this constitutes a new demand on missionary matter in such cases what other influences are support and missionary planning-a demand at work, whether from the West or in response which will profoundly affect previous commit- to the quite legitimate desire for social and ecoments and the whole future outlook of work in nomic uplift such as may be voiced by Dr. Am- India it will be well to consider somewhat the bedkar or anyone else. These other motives will nature of the challenge presented. in fact only help to make the movement, affect- ing as it does the whole life of the people, the Some impressions have been left on my mind more effective and better grounded. as the result of several recent visits to different parts of India. A fourth impression was that in the "mass movements" studied there is no overlooking or The first impression consisted of a new under- minimizing of the importance of individual constanding of the peculiar background of all work version. The truth is that the individual, torn in India due to the solidarity of the social, econ- from his communal group and social environment, omic and religious aspects of its life. In the West cannot live a true individual life at all. Such we have divided life up into compartments but in converts are tragically handicapped from the India a unified outlook and a communal conscience start, and at best can only function in a narrow still exists. The individual belongs to the com- group of similarly situated individuals largely munity in a way that we find difficult to realize. cut off from the life of their community. Many, Hence when we find groups and castes moving it has been found, have not been able to endure bodily into the Christian Church we realize that such a life, and those who do so for the most part such movements are inherent in the total situa- become dependent on some foreign organized tion, and that the appeal for a group movement is group, and their power to exercise an effective a valid method of evangelism. evangelistic influence and function as Christians in the wider field is tragically curtailed. On the A second impression, resulting from this, is other hand, the individual who is persuaded of that these movements are not inexplicable or Christ's claim and who moves with his group is mysterious. They are the inevitable consequence, from the beginning placed in a position of great Indian social life being what it is, of many years advantage. He can at once witness of his new of spade work, in these areas where mass move- faith to his responsive fellows, and may win many ments have occurred, of various kinds of mis- of them from nominal response to real faith. He sionary service-evangelistic and medical tour- can likewise function as a Christian in his ening, famine relief-which have prepared the way vironment and with his fellow Christians can face for them. all the problems of their common life. An in- dividual convert in a group movement is, there- A third impression was that, while the motives fore, worth many times more than an isoinspiring these movements may be mixed, they lated individual torn from all effective contact are nevertheless genuine spiritual responses. The with his old group. In the one case, he is a true solidarity of the social-economic-Teligious life indigenous product rooted in the soil of his own makes it inevitable that social uplift and economic land, while in the other, he is largely an exotic 'betterment as well as religious. aspirations should growth. be in evidence. If this were not so these movements would not be genuine. The question for In this connection, too, it is being everywhere the missionary is: Which motive predominates? duly stressed that while response may be com- If it is a predominantly social, economic or politi- munal, entrance to the fellowship of the Church cal motive which is at work, then the missionary must be one by one. Sad experience makes it is in for trouble; but if the religious motive dom- improbable that this should be overlooked today. inates then the movement can be dealt with on Preparation for baptism is now being emphathat basis, while all other motives fall into their sized; while this hitherto was largely the work of proper place. the missionary and his evangelists it has now be- come chiefly the work of the Indian group leaders. It "follows then that if groups were to express The preparation goes on in the atmosphere and the desire to enter the Christian fold in response under the impetus of a living movement, the to political or social leaders such as Dr. Ambed- spiritual quality of which has only to be seen to kar, among whom evangelism had not prepared be recognized. the way, the resulting problem would be incapable of a Christian solution as things are today. But In a land like India, in group thinking and where missions have been in touch with depressed group action there is actually more solid ground class groups and have in various ways been seeking to serve them, and where the Christian Gospel has been proclaimed as the only basis of any last-
to proceed on than in the case of most individual as its full significance is not generally grasped. thinking and action. Moreover the adequate meeting of such response introduces a new factor which must profoundly In movements having these characteristics the affect the demands of the other fields of service missionary contribution is not an easy one to referred to at the beginning of this article. render. While vitally necessary it is largely supplementary, directing attention to better prepara- The Witness of Indian Christians tion for baptism, right habits of worship along indigenous lines and follow-up work generally. In the first place it profoundly affects the way What is needed is wise planning for foresight in which we view the problem of unevangelized rather than very extensive financial help. A India and the character of future pioneer work. numerically large movement may need the help Here in the witness of these movements is an of only a few extra trained workers and ex- evangelistic appeal which completely overshadows perienced missionaries. With such large numbers all methods ever dt!"vised by missions. The witness self-support should not be difficult if ambitions are of the new converts is not only effective in bringnot allowed to exceed economic possibilities. ing in tens of thousands of the .depressed classes themselves, but its influence on the castes above The responsibilities of Christian missions in a them is one of the most impressive features of the group movement are of a different order from situation (see Dr. Pickett's "Christ's Way to those where the task is the gathering of small India's Heart"). It would indeed seem that India groups of dissociated individuals into churches is to be evangelized from below. As the "deover an extended period of time. The new situa- pressed classes" are scattered everywhere, this tion, if met with on a growingly wider scale, will evangelizing power will be found everywhere, and require a new type of approach. our hope is that there will be enough life in the movement to carry the witness of Christ to the These movements are bringing into existence whole of India. an indigenously minded Church, very different from the conglomerate groups of the past. It is In the second place, it leads us to look with now being recognized that the latter was an in- critical eye at the thousands of institutions that terim stage, the difficulties of which have directed have been created in India. Are all designed to mission activity into many artificially created strengthen the present Christian movement? Are enterprises. In the mass movement we at length they strategically situated? Are they inside the face the true situation from which alone an effec- movement or still outside it? Is it in carrying tive indigenous Church can evolve. Present mis- on these that we can in the present crisis give our sionary activities must henceforth be judged by best service to the on-going Church? These and the searchlight of the requirements of the new many such questions demand an answer. situation and not vice versa as the natural tendency is: Is not this just what missions were Where Group Movements Do Not Exist established to bring about? It has finally happened almost unawares, largely outside our im- In the third place it prompts us to ask very mediate program and creates a dilemma for many pertinent questions regarding the majority of missions as to how to adjust demands of old work our fields where group movements are not in eviand the claims of the new opportunity. dence. Are we dealing realistically and intelli- gently with the actual situation confronting us? A communal movement towards Christianity What are the possibilities of group movements in was not in our missionary plans, and the great- the area? Is our present evangelistic work diness of the opportunity has partially paralyzed rected to creating widespread spiritual hunger some misslOns. Some are more affected than which might be expected to develop into a mass others, and for them the situation calls for drastic movement? Are we working inside the Indian readjustments. All missions, however, whether communal life or outside? In fact, what contriyet affected or not, are called upon to adjust their bution is the present work making to the latent outlook and policies to'the possibilities of the situ- indigenous church which may declare its presation. It has been abundantly demonstrated that ence any day if mission work is being properly wherever contact is being made or can be estab- directed? Remembering that mass movements lished with the depressed classes or aboriginal have been most vital in areas where the Gospel tribes a widespread response can be expected. has been faithfully and widely preached and It would be tragic indeed if the opportunity for throughout which medical and other relief work which so many have labored and prayed should has interpreted its spirit, it is natural to ask be lost through lack of vision and faith at this whether this is the kind of work we are doing juncture. and have we the right objective in view?
I have dwelt at length on this sphere of oppor- In the fourth place, in the mass movement areas tunity which lies before missions in India today
themselves are we realistically facing the possi- the contribution which the mission can render is bilities of that situation in seeking in every pos- continually changing, and it is vital to keep sible way to undergird the movement and, while abreast of the situation. jealous to preser've its indigenous character, doing all we can to help it forward? The Madras Oonference The contribution which missions may be called It is situations such as these that the Madras upon to make is illustrated in the work of the Conference of the International Missionary Bishop of Dornakal where a large Indian staff Council will have to face. It will be called upon under Indian direction works with a few Euro- in no uncertain way to strike the right note in peans who do the kind of work for which they are a distracted world and in face of an organized peculiarly fitted, namely-training teachers and opposition such as has never before existed. pastors for the Church. In another new movement area the mission is called upon to plan for The leaders of the churches of many lands will erection of hundreds of simple places of worship, be present in greater numbers than ever before; for the developing of worship services, for train- it will be the work of the conference to clarify ing of voluntary workers, for provision of some the issues which face the Church throughout the ordained pastors, for promoting indigenous melas world, and to direct it to the one place of power, (conventions), for establishing a single rural mis- namely the Cross of Christ. This incredible fact sionary unit to serve the whole movement from has once again to be declared to be the only means within its borders. Meanwhile, it is important by which God's redemption can be experienced that the actual care and development of the com- and whereby men may meet God in repentance munity be left from the beginning in the hands of and in humility, and thereby can experience His Indian leadership. altogether adequate provision for dealing with sin as this is revealed in Jesus Christ, our Saviour With the emergence of an indigenous Church and Lord.
IT IS HARD TO WORK FOR GOD Oh it is hard to work for God; It is not so, but so it looks; To rise and take His part And we lose courage then, Upon this battlefield of earth, And doubts will come if God hath kept And not sometimes lose heart. His promises to men.
He hides Himself so wondrously Ah! God is other than we think; As though there were no God; His ways are far above"
He is least seen when all the powers Far beyond reason's height, and reached Of ill are most abroad. Only by childlike love.
Or He deserts us at the hour The wondrous fashion of God's ways The fight is all but lost; Love's lifelong study are; And seems to leave us to ourselves She can behold and guess and act, Just when we need Him most. Where reason would not dare.
Yes, there is less to try our faith Workmen of God! Oh lose not heart, In our mysterious creed But learn what God is like; , Than in the godless work of earth, And in the darkest battlefield , In these our hours of need. Thou shalt know where to strike.
III masters good; good seems to change For right is right, since God is God; To ill with greatest ease; And right the day must win; And WDrst of all, the good with good To doubt would be disloyalty, Is at cross purposes. To falter would be sin. F. W. FABER.
Day Indian
~~ By REV. NICOL MACNICOL, D.D., Edinburgh ~ – Recently Secretary of the National Christian Council of .- India, Burma and Ceylonj Author of "Living Religions of the Indian People"
~==.!, ..An.NY general account of the Indian religions the United Provinces has given a list of the would, of course, be impossible within the enemies against wlt6m his people need to be prolimits of this article. The most that can be tected. "We fear the rent-collector," he tells us; attempted is to suggest some ways in which the "we fear the police watchman; we fear everyone circumstances of the present time in India are who looks as if he might claim some authority influencing those religions and altering their over us; we fear our creditors; we fear our character and to indicate the direction in which patrons; we fear too much rain; we fear locusts; they are traveling. Even that limited aim must we fear thieves; we fear the evil spirits that be pursued with much hesitation and uncertainty threaten our children and our animals; and we in view of the long, slow process of growth which fear the strength of our neighbors." 1 has brought the religions to their present form Such fears as these, some of them new and and in view of the deep roots in the spirit of man some as old as the religion they have created, from which they spring. The religions of India make the peasant's life as troubled today as it are unquestionably changing, and yet,· at the same was two thousand years ago. The object that time, one can say that the more they change the casts the shadow changes its shape but the shadow more they remain the same. Isaiah's description still falls and drives the Hindu to offer a victim of Egypt as "Giant Sit-still" might as apJ)ropri- at a shrine or to daub a wayside stone with ver- ately be given to Hinduism. Nevertheless, while milion. If smallpox and plague can sometimes that is true, neither Hinduism, nor any of the be guarded against, still the dread of such hostile other faiths that share with it the control of the forces remains and the "disease-mothers" must Indian spirit has been able wholly to resist the be placated. To make up for the lessening of the powerful influences that in recent years have in- danger from epidemics there is the fact that with vaded India and disturbed her ancient tran- the rapid growth in the popUlation (in an age quillity. when there are fewer epidemics and wars and Hinduism is the religion of the vast majority of famines) there is an increase in the poverty of the people of the land. We must remember that the village people. Centuries ago the poet Kabir in the case of a religion of what we may call so represented a peasant as saying to the obj ect many stories, it is extraordinarily difficult to of his worship: make reliable generalizations. It is a closely A hungry man cannot perform thy service; woven web, holding together the lives of its Take back this rosary of thine.
people in every relationship, providing some kind That situation still persists and it is not surprisof spiritual food for them according to the level ing that ancient laws are not observed in the face of their intelligence and aspiration, buttressing of such necessity. A Hindu believes that he could them with custom and ritual and keeping them al- be guilty of no greater sin than that of killing a ways "in their proper stations." It furnishes ob- cow, but when hunger drives him to sell his cow jects of worship to be dreaded or adored and the to a Moslem butcher it is plain that his religion is means by which their anger may be averted and less powerful in its control over him than once their favor won. Especially in the case of the it was. peasant does Hinduism concern itself with his economic needs, so that the rains may come, the Other causes than poverty are at work, even at seeds germinate and the harvest be gathered. It this religious level, loosening the ties that hold the is no less true today than it was centuries ago social order together and creating that "caste conthat the life of the village Hindu is lived in the fusion" which has always been reckoned a serious midst of fears and he believes it to be the business peril to Hinduism. A sentence from an Indian of religion to protect him against them. Some newspaper gives a startling illustration of the of the old objects of dread may have passed but breaches that are being made in the ancient walls.
new ones have taken their place. A villager of 1 Behind Mud Walls, by C. V. and W. H. Wiser, p. 160.
[462 ]
PRESENT DAY INDIAN RELIGIONS
A married Nair young woman, whose husband was The question of the liberation of the outcaste studying in England for some years, contracted an alliance is not proving so simple. Here orthodoxy and with a Pulaya (Pariah) youth, professing to believe that modernism are in fierce conflict. One of the deher husband was dead. mands made in behalf of these oppressed people is that their rights be restored to them as wor- This "marriage" of a high-caste woman to an shippers within the temples of the Hindu gods. outcaste shows, as the Hindu reporter of the in- But when the Maharaja of Indore recently cident says, that "the sentiment of repulsion" that ordered that the State temples be opened to them, was especially strong between this class of Hindus and this was followed by the murder of a leader and the outcastes, "is losing some of its sharp- of reform in the State, the crime was believed to ness." It reveals, indeed, such a complete break- be the vengeance of orthodoxy. down, both of the Hindu ideal of the sanctity of marriage and of the belief in the untouchability There can be no doubt of the zeal of those who of the outcaste as may well create disquiet among are fighting for the emancipation of these ancient orthodox Hindus. helots of Hinduism, but they, with Mr. Gandhi at their head, claim that in this struggle they are These are two directions in which the old the vindicators and not the enemies of their re- Hinduism is showing signs of strain under the ligion. When introducing the "Bombay Harijan pressure of modern opinion. On the one hand, Temple Worship Bill" one of the Bombay minthe ancient inviolability of Hindu marriage is isters made the bold assertion that "if Hinduism threatened and proposals are being brought be- is the selfish, arrogant creed the orthodox make of fore the Legislature to make the hard lot of many it; if Hinduism could be preserved by perpetuat- Hindu wives somewhat easier by the introduction ing untouchability; if to deny the sight of gods of divorce. On the other hand Mahatma Gandhi to men is an injunction of their scriptures, then is bringing all the influence of his personality to Hinduism had not the right to exist…. Then the bear upon the problem of those whom he calls not Sastras (scriptures) should be consigned to the outcastes or untouchables but "people of God," flames." (Harijan) . These are brave words and might be expected It is no new thing that such matters as these to be the preface to determined action. It is someshould create division and conflict within Hindu- what disappointing to find that the bill does no ism. What is new is that the power to deal with more than empower the trustees of a temple to them is now more fully in the hands of the Hindu open it to Harijans if they so desire. To persuade people themselves than was ever the case before. Hinduism to give as much as a cup of cold water In the Indian Provinces, the ruling ministries are from the common well to these unfortunate outelected by the people and are responsible to them; castes, so long the victims of its indifference, is this fact has changed the whole aspect of public even today, and even with Mr. Gandhi leading life. Reforms that the Indian National Congress the onslaught of reform, a slow and doubtful have long clamored for are now within their process. reach. It would be unfair to expect too much change at once from those who have little ex- Islam in India, Today perience in responsible government. This much can be affirmed: in most cases these ministries, But Hindusim is not the only religion in India Hindu and Moslem, are proving themselves though by its mass weight and its pervasive inworthy of the trust that has been placed in them. fluence it far surpasses in importance all the They are setting up high standards and are seek- others. There is, in uneasy comradeship, its rival ing to be loyal to them. the Moslem faith. If Hinduism is King Log, Islam is King Stork, passionate of temper, im- The Indians are finding also that laws without patient, aggressive. In former days the followers a public opinion to support them are ineffectual. of the two religions, so diverse from each other, Ram Rajya-the ideal age-cannot be brought lived together in their villages for the most part about by Acts of Parliament alone. For that in peace. But times have changed; a new rivalry rea1l0n it is not sufficient to establish loyal dis- has arisen; the poverty which Hindu and Moslem ciples of Mahatma Gandhi as the Prime Ministers face alike has awakened jealousies between them of Madras and Bombay; it is necessary also to which political ambitions have fanned. A few have behind them working tirelessly among the years ago it was not difficult for the astute policy people the influence of the Mahatma and of the of Mr. Gandhi to bring them together in a comorganizations that he has established. Total ab- mon hostility to the foreigner who denied them stinence from intoxicants is a traditional demand the rights they claimed. Now, however, when of both Hinduism and Islam and it has not been these rights have been in large measure achieved, difficult for the new legislatures at least to in- enmities that were economic in origin become augurate a policy of prohibition.
transformed into the bitterness of religious strife. Religion has always held so high a place in men's There is no more disquiting aspect of the religious situation in India than this, and it does not appear lives in India and holds so high a npelawceMsitniill~trthieast to improve. it is no surprise to find that the It is true that there is no religion that claims are showing a wise caution in interfering with more loudly than does Hinduism to be the eX'- ponent of an all-embracing tolerance. This is, in their practice. . Hinduism-if a virtue at all-an intellectual virtue. Its tolerance, as we have just seen, does Reference must be made to one more evidence not extend to social and caste relationships. The monistic doctrine, which is so powerfully en- of the dissatisfaction that has been awaking withtrenched in the background of its thought, reduces all else than the One to unreality, and so its in all the religions in India. It inevitably comes tolerance is the tolerance of shadows. about that Hindus and Moslems and Parsees are Islam on the other hand with (like Christianity) its conviction of the possession of a revealed all affected profoundly in their religious traditruth cannot show itself to be so accommodating. The only way in which the Moslem can become tions by the shrinkage of the world of our time tolerant in the Hindu fashion is to cease altogether to believe in Allah and the Koran. When and by the invasions of belief and unbelief that the acids of modernity have loosened the rigidity of his conviction he may learn to agree with the are continually b~king in from every quarter. Hindu that all religions are equally true, and, he might add, equally false. But meantime, in their It is, however, much more surprising that a sudpursuit of the rewards of political power and of the "loaves and fishes" that political leaders can den upsurgence of revolt should have taken place distribute, hostility between these rivals grows apace and casts a grim shadow over the future among those who, beyond all others, are pariahs of both religions. among their fellows. That Mr. Gandhi and other Apart altogether, however, from the various religious ideas that might make their followers enlightened leaders should desire to lead the outfriendly or unfriendly to each other, there is abroad in India today, and has been for some castes out of their bondage is what one might exdecades, the spirit that ranges men in hostile camps and too often makes out of religion a flag pect, but that they should themselves say, "We can around which to rally hostile armies. This is the spirit of nationalism. Its influence has been no no longer submit to the indignities that Hinduism worse in India than in other lands and some of its has laid upon us," is a portent of unparalleled acerbity in that land has been modified since the recent advance towards self-government: Per- significance. None of the religions of India can haps, rather, the attainment of self-government has to some extent diverted the force of Indian remain unaffected when over forty millions of nationalism away from hostility to Great Britain and concentrated it upon racial and cultural rival- their countrymen come with the demand that they ries within the state. It is not easy to estimate the effects upon the nationalist spirit of the new should be provided with a spiritual haven. This political outlook. New alignments are being formed which will affect religion as they affect event cannot fail to make the leaders in every reother things, but what the ultimate consequences will be cannot as yet be determined. We see, for ligion ask themselves what spiritual treasures example, that Hinduism, and, no doubt, the other non-Christian religions as well, are becoming they have to offer. What will be seen as the ultimore suspicious of the designs of Christianity. Voices are being raised demanding that religious mate significance of this strange spectacle and propaganda and "proselytism" should be forbidden in the new India. It is scarcely to be be- where this most moving of human pilgrimages lieved that "tolerant" India will follow in this respect in the wake of Afghanistan and Tibet. will end, no one can as yet foresee. Of this at least we can be certain, that we see here a symp- tom of a deep religious unrest that is affecting India in all its borders, as it is indeed affecting all the world. Humanity is on the march, not only in India but in all the restless and unhappy lands of earth. The question is-which among them all will prove to possess the chart that will make plain to these wayfarers the straight road that will lead men home to God?
DIFFICULT DAYS IN INDIA The village Christians in North India face a difficult problem as there is likely to be an increase of persecution by Hindu leaders to prevent weak- ening of the voting strength of the Hindu commu- nity. Hence a severe testing time is not unlikely; it can be met by those who have real Christian convictions. The publicity given to the dissatis- faction of the Depressed Classes with the Hindu religion has aroused organized opposition which makes the existence of semi-Christian groups pre- carious, and increases the difficulties of the mis- sionaries. Educated Hindu sadhus are now open- ing schools, medical dispensaries arid centers of popular instruction and social service in remote parts of India.
Indian View of the Task in India*
By DR. S. K. DAITA, Lahore, Panjab Principal of Forman Christian College W EARE told that the purpose of the mis- of the current literature of India, especially the sionary is to make India Christian. What autobiographies of eminent Indians of the last exactly does this mean? Since the early fifty years. Such a study, I think, would result in nineteenth century various interpretations have the discovery of the immense place that Christian been given. In the first place, the task was said thought, life and even phraseology have in modern to be the substitution of Christianity for the older Indian expression. It is clear that the two main and indigenous beliefs of the people. In the second sources have been schools and colleges, and the place, the task was conceived as one of per- circulation of literature. In a smaller degree, but meation; the change was not to be cataclysmic. probably qualitatively even more valuable, has It was conceived that indigenous religious ideas been personal contact with Christian men and would change through the inductive influence of women. From the days of Raja Ram Mohun Roy Christianity. In the third place, some have held to Mr. Gandhi, the "Sermon on the Mount" has that the product would be not Christianity, as we been one of the outstanding sources of spiritual conceive it today, but the resultant of inter-reli- stimulus to many Indians. In more recent times gious activity in India; in fact, Christianity would the Christian life has made its influence felt even also be transformed by this process. more impressively than Christian doctrine.
In India there are examples, on a small scale, Christians have often been challenged on their of substitution. In the old Portuguese dominion failure to live up to the teachings of Christ. On of Gao, where the non-Christian religions are now the one hand, Christian propagandists. have at- in a minority, churches and monasteries have tacked the Hindu social order because of its illib- taken the place of Hindu temples. Yet, it would erality and failure to acknowledge the equality of be legitimate to ask whether this substitution has all men. But some modern Christian countries brought Christ nearer to India. Many would have erected a social and political order from doubt it. During the nineteenth century some which the Asiatic and other non-European races substantial communities have become Christian; are debarred. It would appear that a Hindu social this is true in the "mass-movement" areas. As a order has been transplanted from across the seas, result of Christianity these particular communi- and has taken root in alien soil, among nations ties become unified, on the whole show great reli- whose religious representatives are dinning into gious zeal, and their local churches have become the Indian ear the injustice of the caste system.
the centre for a social revolution among the out- India, among other Eastern nations, has suf- castes. The movement is directed against the old fered a rude awakening and has attempted to or- social order of Hinduism, which looked upon the ganize herself. She has adopted a creed in which lowest as being without the pale of civilization. the main articles are as follows: (1) a system of India is reaping the Nemesis for the neglect of the national education. But such a system is bound, outcaste, and today is beginning to recognize that in the long run, to become an instrument of intel- these groups are embarrassing her in her political lectual and spiritual tyranny, and, if carried to evolution. Twenty or thirty years ago no respon- its logical conclusions, will destroy that intellec- sible British statesman would have conceded that tual liberty on which Indians have prided them- this class was of any political value. Very largely selves. (2) India, together with other Eastern .this revolution has taken place as the result of nations, has developed a profound belief in the work carried on by the Christian Church. In efficacy of the modern economic and industrial South India we have also a very remarkable move- order. Mr. Gandhi's life and teaching are a pro- ment among the particular caste who by their own test against the view that in economic and indus- unaided efforts have successfully attempted a trial power lie the means of national salvation.
social revolution. We have arrived at the stage where money has A fascinating study would be the consideration become a power that attempts to exploit the poor, • Condensed from "The Christian Task in India," Macmillan and and all this in the name of nationalism. (3) In Co., London. spite of Mr. Gandhi's protest, the directing classes [465 ]
in India have acquired a new faith in the efficacy chinery or by a system. Christianity is a divine of force. The. governing bodies of universities, power and its inspiration is caught from the exwhich are largely composed of Indians, have even ample and lives of its followers, carrying on the considered schemes for compulsory military train- ordinary tasks of life, through their social life and ing for all students in their universities. spiritual experience.
In these situations what part can Christianity The task of Christianity is to open doors to the play? If she can rid herself from her Western spiritual experience and life of all around them trappings, only then can she give effective guid- who seek to discover God. Christianity has influance and help. The task of the Christian Church enced Indian religions, but the dominant civilizais far greater than she has ever conceived. tion has proved irresponsive to the wealth of spir- itual experience and religious idealism outside its The right of self-government for any nation is immediate boundaries. An immense field of disa sacred concern, and Christians should not stand covery lies before-Christian thinkers in India. in the way of genuine and even radical reforms. But with this assent, the task of Christianity has The task of Christianity is as varied as evolving only just begun, for upon Christians will lie some Indian life itself. Our concern should be whether of the responsibility of constantly directing the its capacity to fulfil those tasks. is not limited by attention of the nation builders to higher ends, its alien environment. The missionary system may and, above all, to spiritual realities. Spiritual itself be a handicap, but here the necessity arises ends are too often forgotten and the individual is to state what is involved with greater precision. subordinated to materialistic conceptions of per- While it would be untrue to say that Christianity, sonal profit. Can Christians so live and act in as introduced to India through the missionary systhis new world of India, that men will recognize tem, has exercised a dominating influence of power the direction of God, and the imperative rights of and authority; this, at any rate, would be the verthe spiritual world? This can only be accom- dict of many a thoughtful Hindu. Where does the plished if Christians will humble themselves even solution lie? It may be stated in these terms: as their Master did, by emptying Himself of all the task of Christianity is to create in India a privilege, by taking up the Cross of self-effacing Christian Church – not a community – whose service, by uttering the Gospel of life and helping agents will be a spiritual order of men and women, to heal the world's strife. without distinction of race, who will give to India through their lives and teaching the inexhaustible The missionary enterprise is called upon to con- riches of Christ. tinue in many spheres its efforts of service to the people of India, possibly not so much by the TROUBADOURS OF GOD amount of its work as by its quality. During the Who are these last ten years or more, constant evidence has been That run along the highways of the world, given by the missionary body of its desire to meet And seek its meanest suburbs with their feet? the present situation, and this probably most vi- They are the troubadours of God, tally in its educational activities. Missionaries Blowing an airy melody along earth's aisles can become the conduits through which the best As solid as the masonry of dreams. in Europe and America flows into India in the They are the wise eccentrics form of educational ideals and technique-educa- Who reason with divine hilarity. tion in its broadest sense. They are the canny merchants Who buy the hearts of nations for their Prince. Christianity is called upon to emphasize con- They are the vivid tailors stantly the value of the individual, the necessity Who push the threads of ages through their to free him from oppression of all kinds – economic, social, religious. The welfare of the agri- hands. cultural laborer, and of the industrial worker, Who take no blood, to spill it, save their own. claim attention. Christianity must summon men They are the blessed coolies to pattern their lives according to the example of Who lift the loads of folly on their backs Jesus Christ. The essence of Christianity lies in And dump them into truth's dissolving streams. the transforming qualities. of a personal relation- They are the blithe outrunners ship of men to its Founder – whether within or Who trek the world's long reaches for old trails without the Christian Church as it is constituted Whereon to lay the pavement of new years. today. Of this, men such as Narayan Vaman They are the grave cross.-carriers Tilak have dreamed: "The Lord Jesus Christ is Who bear stern wooden gibbets on their backs, founding Swaraj in men's hearts, hence also in And nail their loves and treasures to the beams. the world of men; . . . by Swaraj is meant the They are our princely brothers, Kingdom of Heaven, the Rule of God." But this Born of the womb which bore us, transformation cannot be accomplished by ma- Who speak for Christ amid the courts of life.
India's Attitude Taward
By REV. AUGUSTINE RALLA RAM, B.A.,* Allahabad, India .. – General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement of India, Burma and Ceylon I NDIA is a world in itself, a sub-continent with The Opposition to Christianity a teeming population constituting one-fifth of No impartial observer will deny that there is the human race. All sections of humanity such some strong opposition and resistance toward the as Aryans, Dravidians, Semitics, Mongolians, proclamation of the Christian message. The rea- Negroids and various aboriginal tribes fill the sons for this antagonism may be stated briefly: land. It stretches out one arm to the Far East (1) Christianity is still regarded in India as an and the other to the West, and is a central meet- alien faith. While Christianity was introduced by ing ground of the East and the West. way of Travancore in the early Christian cen- India is a land of marvelous contrasts and is a tury, it never penetrated the country but re- baffling, colorful panorama of darkness and light; mained limited to that one state. Later Nestorian naturally, generalizations are impossible and and other influences beat upon the Indian shores, sweeping remarks are a doubtful commodity. but remained spasmodic and sectional. With the Nevertheless some general facts and trends can coming of the British it became a noticeable in- be marshalled with confidence and conviction, and novation, with the stigma of being the faith of the although some may be furiously disputed in cer- conquerors. Previous to this the Moguls and their tain quarters, yet they will prove to be helpful predecessors had brought another alien faith, Is- signposts. lam, and while from the point of view of popula- Let it be said at once that there is not merely tion India is the largest Moslem country in the one single Indian attitude to present and to ex- world, nevertheless Islam failed to reach India's amine; all kinds of reactions are rampant and heart. After six or seven centuries of Islamic claim recognition. Even the term Christianity it- occupation, Europeans came as conquerors and self carries with it most interesting connotations Christianity, their professed faith, became and which we must consider in the course of our dis- has remained an alien faith. While we might call cussion of the subject. a long rOle of British devotees of Christ, never- The question may well be. raised whether the theless Britain in its relations with India has Christian message has truly found its way into tragically failed to commend Christ to the Indian the soul of India. This is a difficult question to people. Of course, neither Britain, nor any coun- answer. We may, however, say without fear of try in Europe, can be truly called a Christian contradiction that a sense of Christian brother- country; therefore it is too much to expect that hthoeod~oihlowanedvesrt faulty, has become firmly rooted in Britain would be interested in making India a ands for three out standing ideals; Christian country. But let it be stated to the ever- the Gospel must be adorned by· coming to be in- lasting credit of British occupation that Great creasingly understood by the growing fellowship Britain has remained a stout champion of re- of the brethren' a spirit filled Church; the proc- ligious liberty and has not followed the example lamation of the' GQspel to the world through life of some of its Moslem predecessors.
and the riches of God's grace. (2) Again it must be frankly admitted that the What is the attitude (or attitudes), taken in Christian Church has been a denationalized body.
India· to these distinctly Christian convictions? Missionaries from abroad were the unconscious Bluntly stated these attitudes are as follow.s: (1) cause of this and intolerance of other communities opposition; (2) indifference; (3) meam?gless has made Christians an exclusive lot who have cceoputratnecsey'~ (4) critical sympathy and parbal ac- broken loose entirely from even the wholesome and (5) whole-hearted committal. asnects of Indian culture; by identifying them- • I am writing this article from the steamship Conte Verde as it selves with European life and culture, adopting even Euronean names and habits and often esagsoesif fIorhwaavred aDclqouuigrhedinga t,hsoertdeoefp poanrtiIatsl wdeatyacthomeE~utroipne,deaanldinsgo wfeitehl chewing all national aspirations for self-gkove.rnthis subject. Furthermore, I am privU"ged to be !D the. companlon- ment. Today Chri stian s ar e r aanduidalIyIy acwoam.IenngInt g ship of ·a number of learned Indians who represent varIOUS sections to th~:'nl:ltional call and a re g r 0 of the country and who come from different walks of life; these I have been interviewing on board and have solicited their opinions relating to the theme nnder discussion. Their observations nave proved most illuminating. A. R. R.
[467 ]
the forefront of national demand for emancipa- Christian school, said to me: "I admire Christ tion. and have great affection for Him, but I refuse to (3) Christians have been guilty in the past of renounce the matchless catholicity of the Hindu Community in which all that is required of me is overemphasizing an increase in Anduvmabnetras~ewhiaths not to J."enounce the Hindu fold and yet at the hasty additions to the Church. same time hold any opinions I please, even to the extent of actively opposing Hindu teachings. This been taken of famine conditions and similar situ- Hindu fold, which is replete with contradictions but gives me full liberty, is far more acceptable ations, to gain proselytes. Fortunately today such than being bound by Christian dogmas."
methods are strongly opposed and Christian mis- sionaries are exercising great care in avoiding any careless influx of numbers. Nevertheless everywhere we are told that Christianity is out He was not impressed by my remonstrance to to add to its ranks at all costs. We must be active the effect that truth in all realms-scientific re- in removing this impression. ligious or otherwise-is a most uncompromising There is one fact, however, which is the con- taskmaster and that the discipline of truth leads stant marvel of the opponents of Christianity. to real liberty. I suspect that he was putting up They know that seventy-five per cent of the Chris- a bulwark for the sake of keeping in the fold tians have been recruited from among the lowest where he now is.
strata of Hindu society and yet these people have India is in the process of seeing and coming become quickly transformed beyond recognition. to appreciate Christ, apart from the organized Thoughtful people are "sitting up" and taking Church. A great deal of criticism that is hurled at the Church is grossly unfair. But we must note of this marvel. face the fact that while the faithful ambassadors (4) Even Christian hospitals and educational institutions are usually regarded as baits which do take Christ to the world, yet the Cvheiulrcoh~eirn its Christian missions throw out with a view to entice organized life, very often draws a the victims. As a Christian I repudiate this charge, but that does not altar the fact as to the prevail- face of Christ. A very distinguished gentleman ing impression. The truth of the matter is that these agencies report very few actual baptisms. traveling with me claims that it is only for census One day the Christian will be heard as he asserts with deep-seated conviction that he does not en- purposes that he permits himself to be enrolled gage himself in these good works merely to swell the ranks of the Church, but that a true follower as a Mohammedan. He surprised me with his inof the Master must go about doing good, healing bodies, illuminating minds, giving bread to the tellectual grasp of Christian truth, but at the same hungry, like his Lord. time he holds that joining the Church has no (5) Especially at this time, when Europe has turned into a "Bull of Bashon" and seems to exult meaning for him because of his individualistic in its satisfaction over materialistic culture, when so-called Christian countries (such as Ger- temperament. He is a fair sample of many who many, Russia and Italy) are repudiating basic forces of Christianity and are in a mad race for are opposed to being affiliated with organized rearmaments, India cannot help asking whether, after all, Christianity can accomplish what it ligion and profess to see no value in joining the claims to be able to do. Here again we declare, in season and out of season, that there is no such Christian Church. thing as Christendom in the geographical sense. While Christian people exist in all lands, there is (7) Finally, India is offering resistance to no land that can truly be called Christian. But a blatant betrayal of Christ has been repeated in Christianity because multitudes believe that all nominal Christian lands and India watches this spectacle. religions are various groups into which we have been placed by the fiat of God and that, while we may accept truth from all sources, the fact re- mains that ultimately all religions will lead to God who is our beginning and our end. There- fore they hold that the least suggestion of mi- grating from one community into another is wrong. Such an attitude is championed by such men as Mahatma Gandhi. He doubts whether even open preaching, with a view to conversion of others, should be permitted. He says that if one has anything worthwhile in his faith it will become known even as the fragrance of a rose can never remain hidden. This opinion is fairly prevalent, so that Christianity, which is re- (6) Opposition also comes because of the in- garded as an alien intruder, comes under the fire veterate solidarity of caste affiliations and family of criticism and opposition. While Christian prin- ties. As Christianity calls for a new brotherhood, ciples and teachings have entered into the very naturally resistance is offered. A Hindu pro- texture of Mr. Gandhi's being, yet he teaches and fessor of physics, a most attractive young man practices these principles without attributing traveling with his charming wife brought up in a them to their origin; at the same time he resents
INDIA'S ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRISTIANITY
deeply any effort to advance the membership of would be hastened. This is a very ill-considered the Christian Church in India. attitude. In spite of their insistence that even Christianity has blackened the pages of its history Another eminent professor said to me: "I by militant warfare against adherents of other used to be a bitter opponent of Christ and I al- faiths, their argument lacks validity. It is true ways used to resist missionaries, but it is because that man's religious instinct has been abused, but of Mr. Gandhi and his life and teachings that I that is no reason why faith in God should be comhave begun to understand something of the Chris- pletely abandoned. The instincts of sex and tian faith." hunger have been similarly abused, but no one would say that therefore they must be rooted out It is incumbent on us to grapple with the atti- of our beings. Much more could be said against tude of opposition in India and then raise the this contention, but the fact remains that indifferprayer to God, "Lord what wouldst Thou have ence to all religion, and therefore to Christianity, me do?" It is no use glossing over realities or to seems to be temporarily gaining ground; we must fool ourselves with superficial optimism. There wait for the vindication of God's truth and of are, at the same time, many hopeful factors which enter into the situation but we cannot hoodwink righteousness. ourselves with shallow make-beliefs.
Indifference to Christianity "Meaningless Courtesies" and Criticism Callousness to the claims of Christ is not pecul- There is another attitude which is evident on iarly Indian; it is a repercussion of the world the part of myriads of my people-that is the "exsituation. A kind of agnosticism seems to have change of courtesies." India is a country of kindlaid hold of many, which is not just a humble way liness and courtesy, but sometimes this attitude of acknowledging human limitations, but a de- becomes only an empty compilation of words. liberate attitude of "leaving things alone." The When I ask my countrymen what their attitude spiritualist East, over against the materialistic toward Christ is, invariably the reply is, "I was West, is an empty phraseology. Human prosper- formerly a student in a mission school and I have ity and craving after the tinsels of modern ma- a great respect and admiration for Christ." On terialism blatantly rampant in India, has brought closer questioning I learn that these students have about this attitude of "caring not." never opened the New Testament since school or college days, and they know next to nothing about More than this, India is passing through a Christ. In some cases, from this friendly attitude, period of bewildering disillusionment. A great one can lead them on to deeper realities, but in deal that passed for religion has now ceased to many cases a false satisfaction deprives them of appeal to the people. Countless youth have come that spirit of enquiry which is a healthy asset to to hold a negative attitude toward religion. They sincere seekers after the Truth. have come to believe that much in which their forefathers put their trust was "much ado about It should be stated that teeming millions are nothing" and so they have come to the na'ive conclusion that all religion is whistling in the dark still completely ignorant of the very existence of to keep up one's courage. While the old belief's are being rapidly abandoned, no new and posi- the Christian faith. Masses of men and women tive religion has yet gripped them; materialistic philosophy of life has been adopted. tread India's dreary roads of pilgrimage, steeped The tin-god of nationalism has made many of in ignorance and superstition, and are selfishly the Indian youth exclusive votaries in its shrine; they are so intoxicated with the wine admin- exploited by blind leaders of the blind. Poverty, istered in its so-called sanctuaries that they have ceased to consider any higher loyalties. Here illiteracy and superstitious practices have almost again all that is happening in countries like Germany and Italy has found its repercussions in made many people immune to fresh truth and India. they continue in the tradition of their fathers This indifference is due to persistent Hindu- Moslem conflicts. The young people of my country from age to age. Such people cannot be regarded often throw into my face the statement that religion should be left severely alone as a hot-bed as indifferent or hostile; they courteously give of divisions and strifes. They have become impatient of this incessant conflict between the two their approval to what you may have to say and major communities and believe that if "religion" be discarded, reconciliation and brotherhood yet carryon as if they never heard. This is what appears on the surface and yet one never knows what even a casual word can mean to a seemingly ignorant soul. A visitor to India may meet these masses everywhere and it is well to know what their attitude toward Christianity is. But it is mainly from these masses that the Christian Church has risen in India. .
All that has so far been said reveals one out- standing truth-Christianity is a most self-criti- cal religion and does not spare its own adherents
when they fail to be faithful to their Master. The There has also arisen in India a new type of educated womanhood which may be the pride of torch of criticism which turns to others is con- any nation. Women in the Christian Church have been the great pioneers in the public life of India stantly applied to itself. This is a most whole- and have led the way for their sisters to take their places in the national life. Of course other insome attitude that should be tenaciously held. fluences have also been at work to produce this change. An outstanding Hindu citizen of Alla- Among the critics of Christianity both within habad, who not long hence will be a judge sitting on the bench of the High Court, recently volunand without, are a large number who are sympa- teered a statement along similar lines.
thetic and cordial and whose criticism serves as The disillusioned young India, tired of old tra- ditions and callouttoward organized religion, yet a wholesome corrective. is an open-minded India. Preachers like Dr. Stan- ley Jones and pthers are listened to attentively Many good results have come from the wide- by thousands and their responsiveness is amaz- ing. They are "not far from the Kingdom of spread direct and indirect influence of Christ and God"; on the fringe and outskirts of the Chris- tian Church a vast multitude gropes after some prepare for the time when Christianity will be ac- truth that can satisfy their souls.
cepted by many more. I am aware of a growing Wholehearted Committal to Christ number of critics who maintain that Christian The Church Universal, which has taken upon itself the name of the Lord Jesus, 'has its counterschools and colleges which cater to non-Christian part in India. It has gathered unto its fold men and women from various tribes, cultures and recommunities and which do not produce many di- ligions, who love the Lord Jesus and who are seek- ing fulness of heritage in Him. Note some of the rect baptisms should be abandoned, and that mis- characteristics of this Brotherhood of Christian Believers: sions and churches should concern themselves It is a growing Church.-Statistics must not wholly with the work of direct evangelism. This be despised, although they are not an all-sufficient test of progress. For the last forty years the attitude I believe to be shortsighted, for it gives Church has grown in numbers at the rate of .400 versons a day, until now there are over five milpreference to the immediate over against the lion Christians in India belonging to various groups. potential remote. Christianity is the greatest reconciling force in Let me cite some evidences of this quiet per- the country.-India is a land of colorful contrasts and baffling divisions racially, economically and meating influence of Christ due to the promotion religiously. The Church which is arising in In- dia is taking into itself people from all these of Christian education. Christian standards are backgrounds and spheres and is welding them in- to a separate brotherhood, which has its affinities becoming the norm of public life and conduct in with the various cultures of the land. Although errors have taken place in the treatment of Indian India. The late Mr. C. R. Das, President of the cultures, yet it can truthfully be asserted that the Church in India is identifying itself growingly National Congress and a Hindu, in the course of with the national aspirations of the country; it looks with favor upon converts bringing the discussion in the meeting of his cabinet turned wholesome, elevating aspects of their cultures into the Church. From the point of view of names, to one member and said, "What an unchristian costumes and ways of living, the Church is be- coming an all embracing brotherhood. The higher thing to say!" The remark was probably casual castes, and the lower castes are being welded to- gether into this common brotherhood. Men and and did not mean to them all that it connotes to women are forming a family life together and are bridging over age-long cleavages and barriers. us, but it is a true indicative of the way in which opinions and life are being molded by Christian ideals. The whole movement led by Mr. Gandhi toward the uplift of the untouchables has been in- spired by Christian teachings. A paper like The Indian Social Reformer, an ally and opponent of Christianity, is playing a very vital part in per- meating public life with Christian standards of conduct. This norm and criterion is steadily gaining ground. .
Many people are becoming "Christianized" in thought and spirit without identifying themselves with the Christian community. They mig-ht even take a public stand for Christ and give free help in conducting evangelistic meetings.
Age-long wrongs are being righted in India and customs. hoary with age. are being challenged and abandoned because of the light that can only be traced directly or indirectly to Christian sources.
The great movement among the untouchables.
which has led them to become "a neople at bay"
seeking for a better country. is a direct result of the nreaching of the Gospel of Christ. Tt is widely admitted that the influence of Christianity has brought about this g-reat coming trek when a whole people is striking its tents to throwaway the age-long bondage.
The Church of Christ may truthfully be called Jesus Christ. These illustrations suffice to show a Bridge Church-a spanned arch of reconcili- that in spite of limitatiQns which impede its ation between Man and God and between man growth the Church in India is going forward. and man. The Church in India is a new Church and It is a transforming Church.-This Church is suffers from many unnecessary impositions from holding out a great hope to the downtrodden de- the West; these have come as unnecessary accrepressed millions who, for over thousands of years tions to the Christian message. Realizing that have been crushed under the heels of the privi- these have not grown out of its own experience leged classes. These depressed people in large the Indian Church might impatiently embark on numbers are coming into the Christian Church a career of its own, defying historic values found and are being completely transformed, liberated in the growth of Christianity throughout the and uplifted. In one of the central parts of our world. But we are engaged in working at the . country people belonging to a higher caste are material already provided and we are evolving coming into the Church in thousands and their a pattern to meet the needs and tastes of India. introduction to Christ came through the trans- These are some of the characteristics of this new formations they had witnessed among converts Church-an infant Church. from lower castes. They openly say "These people whom we had regarded and treated as good for This is an inadequate survey of the Indian pannothing have gone ahead of us in character and orama from the point of view of the growth of culture so that we have been led to open ourselves Christianity. That vast sub-continent which is to the preaching of this transforming Gospe1." replete with colorful diversities, is today teeming with new life and is experiencing a veritable It is an evangelizing Church.-We are not as springtime. All lovers of Christ in India and evangelistic as we ought to be, but the work of abroad are called upon to help build that beloved evangelism is widely regarded as absolutely es- community which is the Family of God. selltial. Our interdenominatiQnal National Missionary Society is a united expression of the evan- The question may well be asked whether the gelistic task of the Indian Church. Some of our Congress or any other body, with political dechurches are beginning to send their own mission- velopments, will exert an influence and power to aries to other lands. Their missions in university impede the growth of the Christian Church. towns are alsQ attended by large groups. While some of the features of organized Christian work may be re-examined and even suppressed, It is a pioneering Church.-Three examples yet I believe that the sentiment of the country is may be cited. The South India United Church liberal and comprehensive enough not to interfere negotiations have set the pace for a vigorous pur- with the main life and task of the Church of suit of the ideal of unity throughout the world. Christ. For one thing the Moslems, who form a The Indian Church has also emphasized the mean- strong community, will never consent to any ening of "Fellowship in the Gospel" through the actment to take place which would interfere with Ashram method of worship, study and service. privileges which they enjoy. While discouraging Of late special attention also has been given to features enter into the present situation, yet the relate India's spiritual heritage and culture to the Kingdom of God is going forward. "His Truth unique message of redemption through the Lord is marching on."
LIVINGSTONE'S IDEA OF SACRIFICE People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own best reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It was emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger now and then with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver and the soul to sink, but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be· revealed in and for us. I never make a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which he made who left his Father's throne on high to give himself for us: "Who, being the brightness of that Father's glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."-David Livingstone.
Place of Christian Education in
By P. G. BHAGWAT, Ph.D., Coonoor, India Lecturer for the India Sunday School Union W EARE not concerned here with the broad it and all the teaching falls upon deaf ears. A meaning of Christian education, namely pupil who has not already been prepared may the work of preaching Christianity to spend some time"'in hesitation, but in the end he people through various agencies like the evan- will come out against the Christian teaching of gelistic, the hospitals, educational institutions and his school.
the like. We shall deal only with the limited field This does not mean that teaching in a Chris- of Christian education, that is, through Christian tian institution makes no difference in the life institutions of learning. It is in such places that of the child who attends that school. He does we should usually look for the birth of Christ in get more liberalized in his ideas and broadened in children, apart from what the Church can do his outlook. The deeply religious Christian staff through its Sunday school and its young people's of a school has a beneficial effect upon a child, societies. It would be profitable first of all to in- but such teachers do not necessarily lead the quire what have been the achievements of Chris- pupils to the acceptance of Christ as their per- tian education and whether any change in policy sonal Saviour. The atmosphere merely helps the and method is called for to meet the changing children to realize the value of higher ideals in conditions in modern India. life and in that sense they are benefited. But a Christian Education for Non-Christians similar result can be obtained by institutions like those of the Deccan Education Society, the Seva For over a hundred years Christian schools and Sadan, the Anath Vidyarthi Griha and others- colleges have been used as a means for propagat- Hindu schools and colleges which are carried on ing the Christian Gospel. But the results do not by devoted men and women at great personal sac- seem to have justified the enormous expense that rifices. Today the Christian schools do not even has been poured into these institutions. The early boast of a 1000/0 Christian staff. And even if expectations that non-Christians would come out they did the results they would obtain would never in hundreds to accept Christ as their personal be commensurate with the enormous amounts of Saviour have been frustrated. Not only did they money wasted on such schools. To continue this not come in hundreds asking for baptism, but on education in the face of these facts is purposely the other hand it is generally believed that the blinding our eyes to the situation. It is also un- fact of their having been in a Christian school or just to the Christian Church which needs our at- college has made it harder for a person to change tention more than ever before.
over to Christianity. And knowing the situation It might be interesting to mention in this con- as we do today, we could not expect anything dif- nection the findings of Dr. D. A. McGavran pub- ferent. The non-Christian parents who send their lished in 1935 * in which he gives us a study of children to Christian schools and colleges do not the Secondary School boys in the Central Prov- send them because they have lost faith in their inces, and tells us what effect Christian teaching own religion but because of other benefits which has had on them in regard to popular Hindu be- a well disciplined and efficient school bestows liefs. His conclusion is, upon the pupils. They prepare their children be- The high school is not achieving for either Hindu or forehand against accepting the Christian doctrine Christian students that degree of Christianization of outby ridiculing the Christian religion, by various look which appears reasonable . . . the evidence in this suggestions, by direct instructions and by social study indicates that high school education makes very influence. Being thus inoculated against the mes- little difference in Christian outlook as measured in regard sage of Christ as preached in the school, and also to the dominant ideas of popular Hinduism (p. 112). helped by a feeling of their superior numbers, since they form the vast majority in such schools, Among other figures he gives this as an exthere is no wonder that every day that the child ample: "forty to fifty per cent of Hindu and Christian boys look on women as servers of the or youth listens to the Christian teaching, its heart becomes more and more hardened against • JubbEudlpuocraeti,onC. anPd.. tIhnediBa.eliefs of Popular Hinduism; Mission Press, [472 ] husband, as less intelligent and more sinful than The Church's strength will also depend upon men." (p. 100) A better showing in these re- the extent to which it is sensitive to the problems spects might be made by the Christian schools if of the day. It must encourage or discourage, ap- certain conditions were realtered; yet as stated prove or disapprove, according to the merits or above, in so far as Hinduism is concerned Mc- demerits of issues that are at stake. It must think Gavran also concludes that "Christian education with vigor and guide with courage in the moral is making changes which public education would and spiritual questions of the day which agitate in any case make" (p. 103). There still remains the mind of the nation. Friendly and truly na- the question of the highest goal of Christian edu- tional in spirit, it must yet stand fearlessly for cation, namely, revealing Christ as the central what is right in the sight of God. Not only must dynamic force of a personality. The conversion it be known that it holds up the highest standard figures from high schools and colleges which are of life and conduct, it must become the conscience conducted for non-Christians speak for them- of the people. The nation must constantly think selves. of asking: Now what has the Christian Church One more thought in this connection is the new to say about these things?
political authority which is making its existence The Church makes its influence felt in various felt more and more as regards its attitude towards ways. One way is through the everyday life of Christian institutions in India. It seems quite its members who live among their non-Christian evident that the congress governments which brethren. It is through them that the Church hold sway over seven out of eleven provinces in broadcasts her message in all walks of national British India will require by law the withdrawal life. More and more Christian men and women of compulsory teaching of Christianity to non- will be called to take part in nation-building activ- Christian pupils in their schools. In the face of ities of tomorrow. Christianity will rise or fall such a future outlook would it be worth while to in the estimation of the non-Christians by the keep on running these institutions to achive re- integrity which the followers of Jesus exhibit in sults which a non-Christian school can achieve their daily contact with their neighbors.
anyway? Through the Christian Community Through the Life of the Church The life of the Christian community as a whole Christian education is the task of the Church also will contribute to the strength or weakness but if the Church is not strong there will not be of the Church. The Christians have come from much Christian education, and whatever there is communities whose restraints are not binding on will not be worth much. It is for this reason that them any more. Until the Church is strong, and our first concern must be the strengthening and inner as well as outer sanctions are created, the vitalizing of the Church itself, which is the great last state of the community may be worse than power plant of Christianity. Christ works the first. Furthermore, for the non-Christians to through the Church hence the Church must be join the Christian communion means joining the set on its feet before we can expect any results. existing Christian community. It must be attrac- We must concentrate upon building the strength tive in its life and ways for others to join it. A of the Church which will, by its activities and great deal of effort is necessary to raise it to a ideals set up a Christian standard of life in India. high level of education and expression in self- The inculcation among Christians of self-sacrifice, sacrificing service. The great number of mass nobility, devotion to tasks, faith in God will do movement converts as well as the growing num- more to attract people to Christ than teaching ber of the Christian population is rapidly de- unwilling people in Christian institutions. creasing their former percentage of literacy, The strengthening of the Church must include education and an economic standard of living. If the building of loyalty to the Church. With a few a community is poverty-stricken and uneducated, exceptions loyalty to Church is sadly lacking in it does not have much chance to live on a high India. The reason is not only the comparatively spiritual plane and consequently it has no attrac- short time the Church has been in existence in tion whatsoever for the non-Christians which it India but also and mainly the life and work of seeks to take within its fold. People should join the Church. If the members feel that the Church the Church for Christ, it is true, but the human is not meeting their deepest needs, if their lives factor must not be forgotten. The human mind are not intricately bound up with the Church does look to the society of which it will become a through uplifting and self-sacrificing activities, part, and the condition of this society has a lot if the Church does not help them to grow in to do with the turning of men to Christ. Unless spiritual strength, it cannot expect any loyalty the whole community is raised to a high level it from them. A dead Church cannot stir the hearts will not be respected and it will lose what in- of its members for sacrifices and cooperation. fluence it has.
Christian Education for Christians we run such schools along communal lines. But With the vast additions to the Christian popu- the school is to be like a Christian family whose lation that are being made by the mass move- members are protected from undesirable influments these days, as mentioned above, it is more ences in their formative years and still have a important that all efforts should be concentrated living contact with children of other communities upon the Christian education of these new con- for physical and cultural contests and social acverts, especially the young ones among them. The tivities. In that way they will be able to combine problem is acute just now specially because more the benefits to be derived from good Christian and more Christian primary schools are being atmosphere inside and healthy contacts outside.
closed and children of Christian parents are being A Strong Ministry for Voluntary Education compelled to attend Hindu schools, where the vast majority of children and staff are Hindu. Now If it is not possible to have a Christian school it is true that Christian parents can inoculate for Christian chiklren and if they must needs go their children against any Hindu ideas that are to Hindu schools, then the question of voluntary likely to be absorbed by them in the school. But Christian education must be faced. Such children here the position of Christian pupils attending must be provided with religious educational facili- Hindu schools is different from that of Hindu ties by the Church through voluntary aid from pupils attending Christian schools. Hindu pupils, its members.
because of their vast majority in Christian The leadership for such work must naturally schools, are not as amenable to Christian influence come from the ministry if it realizes the deep im- as Christian students attending Hindu schools are' plications and seriousness of this task. That is, amenable to Hindu influence. Here everything is we must work towards the creation of such a min- against them, the great number of Hindu pupils, istry through our theological seminaries. For the the staff, the management and the general tone future Church we need a well educated, enthusi- of the school. Under these circumstances it will astic, intelligent and devoted army of trained not be surprising if our children unconsciously pastors. For all depends upon the pastor. He is absorb certain ideas that are not in keeping with the key to the whole situation. An enthusiastic Christianity. Neither can we expect them to have and intelligent leader can arouse his lay friends a very strong faith in Christianity if no special and can make the Sunday school a vital part of effort is made by the Church to educate them in the life of his church. But not only that, for the the faith and doctrines of the Church. By neglect- Sunday school alone will not meet the whole situ- ing this phase of Christian work we are laying ation where Christian children have to attend the foundation of the future Church on very un- non-Christian schools. Provision must be made certain ground. Thus the Sunday school or church for their daily instruction in the Christian faith.
school during the week for Christian children is A pastor can enlist the cooperation of the Chris- the greatest need of the hour. All thought, energy tian teachers in the village for voluntary instruc- and resources must be applied to this important tion during week days before or after school.
obligation of the Church, not only for the sake Even if this instruction is given three times a week of the individual lives, but also for the Church's instead of every day of the week, preferahly by own future existence. the Christian teachers of the Hindu school itself, If fortunately there are any Christian schools it will go far towards strengthening the children at all-and every church should make an attempt in their Christian faith.
especially in the primary stage of education to The Content of Religious Education provide schools for its children-they should be run only for Christians. If non-Christians are ad- As regards the content of religious education mitted in that school, they must be in a very for our children, which will be given through the small minority and only of such a type that they Sunday schools or through special instruction are in full sympathy with Christian teaching. during the week, we might say that a fairly good Such schools, be they primary schools or second- knowledge of the Bible by means of a uniform ary schools, are the only means by which we can course covering several years is a minimum neces- keep alive the torch of Christianity burning in sity. Of course we cannot be satisfied merely India. with the possession of the knowledge of biblical An objection might be raised at this point that facts. The study ought to result in the student if we segragate our Christian children from other himself acquiring such interest in the Book that communities in this way, they would be cut off he will proceed to dig for himself the treasures from the national current of life and would find in which the Bible so richly abounds. This knowl- it hard to adjust themselves later to life with edge should also lead to a conversion experience.
others. This objection will hold ground only if An acquaintance with the doctrines of the Church
WORK FOR THE OUTCASTES OF INDIA
will also be a help to the student. And lastly we Christian students to Christ is wasted because the must not forget to study Christ's principles in fruit bears no proportion whatsoever to the vast their relation to the problems of everyday life. sums spent for it, while the same funds could go Religion is not merely knowledge; it is for life far towards constructing the lives of Christian and every effort must be made for its expression children through religious training-the children in life. who will be the future pillars of the Church. Again and again the conviction is borne in upon Some Conclusions us that the Indian Church is the place from which Our conclusion is that the place of Christian Christian education must take its inspiration. The education today, in so far as it is carried on in Church must be strengthened continually by all educational institutions, is with the Christian the means in our power. But there is no hope community itself. It is the Christian children for such a consummation until the future members who need Christian education first and foremost. of the Church are first taken care of. The longer All resources must be applied to this great task this problem is neglected the worse it will be for which is increasing in magnitude day by day. The the Church and for Christianity in India. money and efforts spent on trying to win non- Work for the Outcastes of India* By BISHOP J. WASKOM PICKETT Methodist Episcopal Church; Author of "Christian Mass Movements in India"
N o OTHER area presents a situation so en- of Christ is demonstrated in the Depressed couraging from the point of view of the Classes. And one certain way to arrest the move- eventual rule of Christ in India as does the ments of the higher castes to Christ is to turn work among Depressed Classes in Andhra Desa. away from the poor and the despised to those of Nowhere else in contemporary life do we find so better estate. much information on how friends of Christ can prepare his way and make his paths straight in There are many areas where no sustained pres- India. And nowhere is' it more important that entation of the Gospel has yet been attempted. In the lessons of experience in the service of Christ some of these areas groups of the Depressed in India should be understood and applied. Classes, having learned something from converted relatives or itinerant evangelists, have expressed Since the first observation to be made in the a desire to learn more and to follow Christ. This many new movements to Christ in Andhra Desa fact constitutes an urgent call to the churches of is that they have all resulted from earlier move- adjacent areas, to missions and Mission Boards ments among the Depressed Classes, and since and to all Christians who are able to stand bethis observation is fully confirmed by thorough hind and aid those agencies, to provide the ininvestigation, our first recommendation is that struction, fellowship and leadership in worship every possible effort be made to win all remaining necessary to bring these groups to an experience groups of the Depressed Classes to Christ. Al- of Christ and to aid in education necessary to though the case for this recommendation is clear enable them to realize their heritage in him. The and compelling, we consider that there is grave need is urgent. danger that it will not be implemented. There is a disposition to neglect the Depressed Classes In a week of witness in one rural area last whenever hope is entertained that the higher castes may be induced to respond. To do so now month, Oct<;lb,er, 1937, more than .uvethousand would be both a capital folly and a grievous wrong. There is strong reason to believe that the of the Depressed Classes and over two thousand surest way of multiplying conversions of higher caste Hindus is to increase the scale on which caste Hindus declared their desire to. be enrolled the transforming, enriching and uplifting grace as Christian believers. A missionary report calls • Condensed from "Christ's Way to India:'s Heart," Lucknow Publishing House. from forty-four villages; a,nother tells .of thou- sands eager to be taught, baptiz~d and organized into churches, and tens'of thousands. vaguely in- terestedand ina mood' torespoiId' if the Gospel were preached to them. .
Second-The new group movements of caste coming Christians has spread far and wide with- Hindus are limited to a few areas and are associ- in the castes concerned and has created enough ated with certain conditions that are recognizable interest to insure a respectful hearing of the and definable. We therefore recommend that ef- Gospel by most groups of members of those forts be made to encourage similar movements in castes. As an example we may take the Wadevery part of the territory by reproducing daras. They are a large caste spread over most throughout Andhra Desa the conditions that seem of the Andhra country. At least seven thousand to have contributed to the growth of the present have become Christians. Probably ten thousand movements. What are those conditions? First, others have already manifested interest in Christ. unquestionably, is the development of genuine religious experience within the Church. The quality We will not mention all the castes within which of its spiritual life appears to determine the movements toward Christ have developed, but we measure of the influence which the Church exerts recommend that churches and missions ascertain upon its neighbors. what groups to ~.om they have access are repre- sented in Christward movements anywhere by A Kamma woman who at the time of our in- relatives or caste associates and seek to put the terview had not yet made a public confession of claims of Christ before them. In some cases it faith said, "I'll tell you what makes us accept will be advisable to invite converts to visit areas Christ. We see him working in the lives of people where their testimony and example are needed. we know. The Mala women here were always sad However, two dangers have already appeared in but now some of them are always happy. My connection with such efforts, namely that the conaunt went all the way to Benares to get a religious vert called upon to travel among his former caste experience like that, and when she came back fellows will be confirmed in an attitude of exwithout it, she was so disappointed she died in a clusiveness and be encouraged to import into the few months. I know these Mala women have Church too much of the spirit and practice of his really experienced God." former caste, and that the convert will develop a sort of professionalism in which considerations Influence of Cleanliness of monetary or other reward are evoked.
Third-The increased cleanliness of Christians Fifth-The growth of the Church is dependent is strongly influencing public opinion in favor upon the witness of unpaid lay Christians. We, of Christianity. We recommend that advantage therefore, recommend that all churches and misbe taken of this fact and increased attention be sions consider ways and means of securing a large given to the teaching of habits of cleanliness. The increase in honorary evangelistic effort by laycustom of wearing clean clothes to the house of men. Every convert is a potential evangelist and God generally follows closely upon the establish- the potentialities of many converts are enormous. ment of orderliness and reverence in worship. In this example of the families of the pastor and We recommend that annually two special the teacher is very potent. The quarters of the periods of evangelistic effort be arranged for in Depressed Classes, especially those of the Madi- each church during which the entire membership gas, have been notoriously filthy. In some villages of the church is encouraged to bear witness cona generation or less of experience as Christians cerning Christ to relatives and friends. has effected so much improvement that those same quarters are now cleaner than the quarters of the Sixth-The growth of the Church is retarded highest castes. Such conspicuous improvement is by the aspect of foreignness and promoted by evia mighty aid to evangelism. dence of beiIlg Indian and indigenous. We, there- fore, recommend that church policy, orders of In this connection we recommend that efforts worship, architecture, policies with reference to made by Christian agencies to improve sanitary festivals, social customs, discipline and leadership conditions in the villages begin with the quarters be adapted as much and as speedily as possible of the Christians, and be extended into other to national and local conditions, subject, of course, quarters as a project of the local Christian com- to the preservation of Christian character and munity. In no way can Christians promote sani- values. tation more effectively than in making the quarters of a people once noted for their insanitary Teachings Against Idolatry surroundings a model for all classes. Seventh-The Christian teachings against idol- Fourth-several castes are strongly represented atry and for personal and group acceptance of among the converts in each of the chief areas of the highest ethical standards of conduct appeal the new movements to Christ. We recommend to the conscience and commend the Gospel. We that persistent approaches be made to those castes recommend that more strenuous efforts be made everywhere. The news that their people are be- to protect the Church against violation of these teachings. Despite the prevalence of idolatry, bribery, plural marriages, oppression and social
impurity there is a widespread recognition of the not yet adequate to ,the needs of the Church in evil of these practices and a desire for their over- Andhra Desa and that the supply is superior to throw. The Church has raised the standards of the distribution. We recommend that the Andhra judgment on all of these wrongs but needs to Christian Council undertake responsibil;ty for be on guard against the temptation to lower them promoting a literature program adequate with and be untrue to itself on these issues. The com- respect (1) to the preparation of what is needed, ing into its membership of many people of the (2) to its publication, and (3) to its distribution. higher castes accentuates the danger of com- The chief difficulties relate to vocabulary, size of promise. For example, it is difficult for a Church type and content. composed in the main of day laborers to enforce the demand for personal purity upon a rich land- Caring for Women and Girls lord who lapses into immoral relations with a concubine or to discipline a village head man who Twelfth-The women and girls are less adeaccepts a bribe. quately cared for in the program of the Church than are the men and the boys. We recommend Eighth-The new movements into the Church that efforts be made to correct this situation (a) combined with the rising cultural standards of by including a larger number of women in the the older Christian groups necessitate a better officiary of the Churches, (b) by promoting the trained ministry. Many ministers who were quite organization of women's societies within the adequate for the demands of a decade ago are Church, (c) by using more lady workers in village not able to meet the requirements of the present service, and (d) by supplementary classes for situation. Happily, the educational preparation women in training for baptism and for communiof the ministers now being recruited is quite cant membership in the Church. The services of superior. But many of the experienced men al- Christ to women and girls are recognized and proready at work require help. We recommend that duce a most favorable attitude toward Christianshort-term Refresher Courses be conducted an- ity in the minds of onlookers. The extension of nually for several years and that attendance be the Kingdom would be greatly assisted by made compulsory for all ministers. strengthening women's work in the Church.
Ninth-The use of schoolteachers, partly sup- Thirteenth-The Church is in urgent need of ported by grants-in-aid by Government and partly clarifying its thinking and purifying its attitude by mission subsidies, for pastoral work under the toward caste. We recommend (1) that the implisupervision of ordained ministers, cannot be ex- cations of the teachings of Christ and the apostles panded to meet actual present and probable future as touching this problem be studied throughout needs. We, therefore, recommend that steps be the Church in Andhra Desa, (2) ,that differences taken to enlist and train men who are able to between Christians based upon caste origin be maintain themselves in their villages as honorary, recognized as a menace to the spiritual integrity or semi-honorary, pastoral assistants to conduct of the Church, (3) that help be requisitioned from every evening worship services, to prepare candi- the churches in the north of India to promote the dates for baptism, to visit the sick and to do all merging of converts from different castes into one kinds of ministerial work not necessarily reserved inclusive community, and (4) that only such perfor the ordained ministry. Among the newer sons be enlisted in the ministry as have shown Christians are many men possessing gifts and complete freedom from caste prejudice. graces which would enable them to render notable service as lay preachers. Their appointment would Fourteenth-The strength of the Christward need to be subject to the approval both of the local movements in Andhra Desa is derived from the congregation and of some supervising authority. fact that God is there in Christ Jesus reconciling men and women unto himself. We recommend Tenth-The existing school system is disap- that while striving to improve their work as pointingly slow in producing a literate Church. friends of Christ and servants of God all who are We, therefore, recommend that the schools be related to the Church in Andhra Desa place their supplemented by a non-institutional effort to pro- trust not in the efficiency of human endeavor or mote literacy among adults and adolescents. Mis- the power of man's wisdom but in the revealed sions should make available as generous assist- purpose and the almighty power of God. We were ance as possible, in finance and personnel, for a impressed by the frequency with which new consustained campaign to teach all Christians to verts when asked who had influenced them to beread. Every effort and interest of the Church, in- come Christians replied that no man had including the spread of the Gospel and the social fluenced them but they were moved directly by and economic life of its members would profit by the Spirit of God. There is in the present movethe conquest of illiteracy. ments a strong sense of the mystery of God at work in human hearts. Eleventh-The supply of Christian literature is
Christian Work for India*
By P. OOMMAN PHILIP, Magpur, India -<tif A Secretary of the National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon W HILE organized Christian missions have Church in India must be turned to for help. At been carrying on their operations in India the same time the fact that Indian Christians for only a little over one hundred and were divided int().-many denominations was confifty years, there are today a number of Christian sidered an obstacle in the way of their joining activities conducted wholly by Indians in differ- forces to undertake the work.
ent parts of the country, Some are local and some After some preliminary conferences, in which country-wide.t Although they may have at first prominent missionaries took an important part, come into existence under the inspiration of the and after wide consultation with foreign mission- Western missionary movement, these activities aries at work in India, the society was formally have been made their own by Christian Indians, organized on Christmas Day, 1905, at Serampore, and depend on them for direction and support. a place hallowed by the labors of pioneer mission- The oldest of these ventures goes back less than aries like William Carey and Henry Martyn.
fifty years, while the youngest is only a few years Though Indian Christians generally do not attach old. Their significance, however, is far beyond much value to the denominational differences that what may be indicated by the years they have have come to them from the West, it was signifi- been in existence. cant that the National Missionary Society was not First of all these efforts are an expression of organized on an undenominational basis but the spirit of Christian service which is taking recognized the denominations that existed in hold of the Church in India. Second, they stand India. This was perhaps due to the fact that at- for a real desire to render this Christian service tempts made in the past by certain ardent Indian untrammelled by the limitations involved in tak- Christians, in the direction of doing away with ing financial help from Western churches. Third, denominations, far from achieving their purpose, they represent a venture, much needed in India only tended to add to the number. In view of at the present day, for discovering ideals and such experience, the organizers of the National methods of Christian work that would be suitable Missionary Society were wise in making it an in- to the peculiar conditions of the land. terdenominational effort, in which Indian Chris- The most noteworthy Indian missionary effort tians of different communions could actively par- is what is known as the National Missionary ticipate without compromising in any way their Society of India. This society was organized denominational loyalties.
thirty-three years ago for the purpose of "evan- The Society caine into existence at a time when gelizing the unoccupied parts of India and ad- a great awakening of the national consciousness jacent countries," and of "laying upon Indian was taking place in India. The Indian Chris- Christians the burden of the responsibility of tians, by their associations and training generally evangelizing India." indifferent to movements which had a political A study of the Census Report of India for 1900, complexion, were at first inclined to stand aloof undertaken by a group of Indian Christian young when the national movement swept over it. But men soon after its pUblication, revealed the fact a movement like the National Missionary Society, that, in spite of the work carried on by many aiming at the evangelization of India "with Indian missionary societies from the West for the past men, Indian money and under Indian direction,"
one hundred and fifty years, more than one-third helped the Christian community to discern the of the people of India had, humanly speaking, no spiritual elements in the national movement, and chance of hearing the Gospel in their lifetime. It to realize the contribution they, as Indian disciples was realized that for this work of making the of Christ, could make towards its enrichment.
Gospel known in these regions, entirely unreached The highest service that Indian Christians could or unreachable by foreign missions, the Christian render to their country was rightly conceived as * Condensed from "Tbe Cbrlstlan Task in India," MacMillan Co. sharing with their countrymen the unique knowl- t Over forty missionary societies bave tbelr beadquarters in India edge and experience of God derived from Jesus Christ. Mr. V. S. Azariah (now Bishop Azariah) and over balf of these are entirely manned, controlled and supported by Indian Christians.
[478 ] and Mr. K. T. Paul were among those who first with the vast activities of foreign mISSIOns in carried the appeal of the Society throughout the India, the work done by the National Missionary length and breadth of the country, and from a Society in all its eight districts taken together is thousand platforms and pulpits they made Indian insignificant. In the number of workers, in the Christians of all churches and provinces realize range of activities, in the institutions maintained, the importance and privilege of the task to which and in the number of those admitted into the they were summoned. The enthusiasm aroused Christian Church, the results are not great, but and the idealism stirred up were promptly organ- the uniqueness of its work consists in the fact ized and directed along channels of definite that it is being carried on as a purely Indian ef- Christian work in so'me of the neglected parts of fort. A sure indication that Indian Christians are India. IIi this way the Society was led within a few years' time to start work in "unoccupied" really making this effort their own is that it has districts situated in the provinces of the Panjab, been slowly evolving methods of Christian work the United Provinces and Madras. The Society suited to the conditions of this land. If these has now eight centres of work in different parts methodsare.to be worth anything in God's Kingof the country. dom they. a:r~ to grow out of the experience of Christ":possessed men, who, being familiar with While the income of the Society comes from all that is best in Indian life and thought, bring Indian Christians of all churches into a common to bear on it the values and. standards of Jesus treasury and is administered by committees Christ. This is necessarily a·slow process. drawn from all churches, members belonging only to one denomination are sent to a particular field In spite of the difficulties, the National Missionas workers. The ordination of workers and other ary Society h~s been tackling this problem, and ecclesiastical matters are regulated by the ec- the Ashram method of Christian life and service, clesiastical authority of the denomination con- which has been adopted with such remarkable cerned nearest to the field. In this manner the success in Tirupattur, its South Indian field, may work of the Society in the different fields is related be cited as an illustration of the discovery and ecclesiastically to the following communions: The application of methods best suited to Indian con- Anglican Church, the United Church of Northern ditions. India, the Lutheran Church, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church and the South India United There are also several indigenous denomina- Church. Under this arrangement the bishops or tional missionary societies which are called "home the church councils of these bodies cooperate with missions." A number of the organized church the interdenominational committees of the bodies in India prefer to give expression to their Society. But in the appointment of workers, the missionary spirit through these home missions supplying of the funds needed, and the general of their own rather than cooperate with an alldirection of the work, the National Missionary India organization like the National Missionary Society is solely responsible. Society. At least three church bodies in South No Financial Help from Abroad India maintain their own home missions and take also an active share through the National Mis- One of the principles of the National Mission- sionarv Society in the evang"elization of some ary Society, from which it has not swerved, has p:lrt of India far away from their own field. All been that no financial help be solicited from of them claim to be indigenous efforts, depending foreign countries. In the year 1906 the income for support on the contributions of Indian Chrisfrom voluntary contributions was only a little tians, and with the management and direction over Rs. 2000. There has, however, been a steady entirely in the hands of Indians. Some of them rise in the income and now the average annual carryon well-planned work among" non-Chrisincome from voluntary contributions'is about Rs. tianf'!, involving the emuloyment of high-grade ,60,000. This is a small amount when compared workers and a considerable annual budget. The with the incomes of some of the Western mission- Ludhiana Church Council, for instance, has been ary societies, but when we consider that Indian ~arrving on work in the Karnal District of the Christians are generally on a much lower eco- Panjab for the last forty years. In the South, nomic level than their non-Christian countrymen where there are larger numbers of Christians than and that insistent demands are made on their in any other part of India, we find a number of generosity by their own churches, this is very en- such efforts. The two most noteworthv of these couraging. The bulk of these contributi:'ons is are the Indian Missionary Society of Tinnevelly, made up of small subscriptions offered with faith- ~()nnected with the ATIJ~'Ii~an Church, and the Mar ful regularity by the middle class and the poor. Thoma Svrian Christian Evangelistic Association. Behind these gifts of money there is also a great Out of the work of the Tinnevelly Society has deal of genuine prayerful interest. In comparison Q'rown the well-known Dornakal Mission of which Bishop Azariah is the head. He first went to
Dornakal as a missionary to the Telugus of that and who throws himself on the charity of others. area, sent by the Tamil Anglican Church of Tin- They cannot quite reconcile themselves to the idea nevelly. The Mar Thoma Syrian Christian Evan- that a Christian worker should be given an allowgelistic Association is the missionary society of the ance to keep him above need and to enable him to Mar Thoma Syrian Church, one of the branches carryon the work without any anxiety about the of the old Syrian Church on the west coast of support of his family. Though the exigencies of South India. This Association represents the first church life and religious work under modern conmissionary effort organized on modern lines in ditions are making Indian Christians accustomed the long history of this ancient community of to the salary system for Christian workers, there Indian Christians. Started fifty years ago on a is, deep down in the minds of many good Indian very small scale for the purpose of evangelizing Christians, a lurking fear that all this is sometheir non-Christian neighbors, it has now grown thing un-Christian and unspiritual. There is a into an efficient Christian agency carrying on ex- similar attitude towards organizations. Thus the tensive work among the depressed classes, and National Missionary Society and other Indian maintaining a large number of educational and missionary societies have to find support and other institutions both for Christians and non- make progress among people who have such a mental and spiritual background. Perhaps this Christians. may be a reaction against the over-organization which so often characterizes Christianity in India. *** Very little attention is being given to the study of this attitude, which is fairly widespread among Many Indian Christians have imbibed from the Indian Christians, with a view to reconciling it religious atmosphere with which they are sur- with the highest teachings of Jesus Christ, and of rounded a belief that matter is essentially evil, applying the results of such study to the work of and, as a result, the most spiritually minded evangelization which the Church in India is facamong them have a tendency to despise all ma- ing. terial aids in carrying on religious work. The ideal of a Christian worker is a wandering sannyasin who is a celibate, who owns nothing in this world, Indian Women Evangelizing India By MISS E. N. WELLS, M.R.C.P., Ludhiana, Panjab Women's Christian Medical College W HEN the Women's Christian Medical tian work, and the remainder are non-Christians. College was founded forty-four years ago Of the compounders, the greater proportion are it was with this aim in view that Indian Christians and many are in mission hospitals. All Christian girls should be trained as medical mis- the nurses are Christians, and while several go insionaries to their own people, whether as doctors, to Government service the majority are employed compounders, nurses, midwives or dais. Has this by missions, several returning to the missions ideal been fulfilled? from which they have come for training. The midwives include women who come for midwifery Statistics are revealing, and so I give a few only and some compounders, and the nurses. regarding the graduates from this college and the Memorial Hospital attached to it. We have in training now: Since its inception the following have gradu- 130 Medical students of whom 85 are Christians. 16 Compounders of whom 14 are Christians. ated: 64 Nurses, all Christians. 67 Midwives. Christians and non-Christians. Medical Students ……………. 352 Compounders ……………….. 144 Our students in these classes come from, or are Nurses…………………….. 236 working with, about 26 different missions in *Midwives …………………… 813 India. Indigenous Dais …………….. 100 approximately The opportunities offered the graduates for Of these medical students about 120 are defi- spreading the Gospel are tremendous, especially nitely in mission work, about 50 Christians are in when it is realized that 90% of India's 340 milprivate practice, some of them doing real Chris- • These midwives include some nurses and compounders.
INDIAN WOMEN EVANGELIZING INDIA
lions live in the villages, and that each mission pital evangelistic work, and it is said that she is station is situated in a district surrounded by always willing to "go the extra mile" no matter numerous villages. (Ludhiana for instance has what comes in she is ready to help, and is loved 500 villages within a -five-mile radius.) by the people.
The founder and principal, Dame Edith *** Brown, is in England for a short furlough and in preparation for deputation meetings, she has Dr. M. in Bengal, who is in charge during the written to several mission hospitals where our absence of the senior doctor on furlough, is doing graduates are employed, asking for a report of a real work among the people. She goes out to their influence and work. The replies have been the villages with a band of people, who have been most encouraging in the majority of cases, and formed into a Witness Band, and they give their extracts from some of the letters which we quote time and help voluntarily, witnessing to the people prove that the quickest way of winning India for of what Christ has done for them. This is in ad- Christ is by sending out Indians trained for serv- dition to the evangelistic work in the hospital. ice, and with a real missionary zeal and vision. They can touch the hearts of their people as no *** foreigner ever can, and by their lives and witness show the power of Christ. The following extracts One of our Panjabi graduates, who married are typical of many others received: another doctor, went with him to work in a very backward district. She had a picture of the Cruci- Writing of one of our more recent graduates, fixion in her small dispensary, and the people the doctor in charge of the mission hospital says, visiting her for medical aid were told the story "Dr. J. is a fine Christian woman and has shown of the Cross. The message was spread through her influence in a number of ways…. Dr. J. is the village, and enquirers came forward, one happy to go out on calls regardless of what the woman and her daughter were baptized, and are patients can pay. What is even better, she is witnessing their faith in Christ far and wide. Dr. happy also to go out on tour with the Biblewomen. P. has come back to us to work in a village dis- If every Indian village could be within reach of pensary nearby, and is already winning the hearts a Christian woman doctor like Dr. J. the lot of of the people by her life and work. She is a the Indian women and children would soon be im- zealous evangelist and has a real gift for giving proved…. I wish we had funds to employ a half the Message in a way that is understood by the dozen doctors like Dr. J. and send them out into simple village folk. the villages. It would be one of the quickest ways of evangelizing this section of India." These graduates are all in mission service, but some who have gone into Government service are *** also doing a great work. One in particular comes to mind. She is in one of the Indian States, and Another doctor, writing of a senior graduate, in her spare time visits the people in their homes, says that Dr. C. was awarded the Coronation teaching them the Word, and has found many Medal last year, and this year was appointed as openings for witnessing for her Master. medical superintendent of the hospital, not an acting post but a regular appointment. It was re- *** ported in the papers that she was the first to be given such an appointment in the institutions of While in training the students receive instructhe South. We now have about six graduates who tion in evangelistic work, and have opportunity to have been made full members of the mtssionary go out to the villages if they wish to do so. Those societies, under which they are working. who have a real missionary vision are keen to do this, and in addition of course have contact with *** the patients. The language question is a problem. Our students collectively speak about 16 different Two interesting reports' come from a hospital languages, English being the common one in use on the North-West Frontier employing a doctor for study, but many keen students cannot speak and compounder. The former belongs to the dis- to the patients in Panjabi or Urdu, and while trict and knows the language. The latter is learn- studying have not the time to learn the language ing it and doing good work. A special hill tribe but it is encouraging to know of several who have came down to where the hospital is to trade, and to work out of their language area, and have were not allowed to return by the Government. mastered the local dialect in order to do more The senior doctor was not allowed to visit them, effective evangelistic work. but Dr. W. is allowed to do so and has been going regularly to teach them. Writing of the com- These particulars show how Indian Christians pounder they say "Her true Christian character are preparing and are evangelizing their own is what we value most and we hope she will stay people. We feel sure that it is the experience of with us many years." She does village and hos- missions all over the country, that it is India's own people who can and will bring her to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"The Blind Receive Their Sight" I•n
A Remarkable Example of Modern Medical Missionary Service in Shikarpur, Sind, India "'1 l/iI>– By STUART BERGSMA, M.D., Trudia, P"'jab, loma FIVE thousand patients come to Shikarpur Glaucoma is a dreaded eye disease in which Eye Hospital in January and February of the "window" of the eye becomes a greenish hazy each year. For twenty-eight years the color and the eyeball becomes hard. Patients who present themselves early for operation can be C. M. S. Hospital of Quetta has maintained this helped a great deal, but many suppose they are branch hospital which is open only two months developing cataracts and there will be plenty of of the year. For twenty-eight years Dr. Henry time. They arrive practically sightless, only to T. Holland, dean of all eye surgeons in India, has be told: "Too late! Nothing can be done!" Strong carried on his amazing work of giving sight to thousands of India's almost countless blind men break down and plead: "Just a little operapeople. Between 1,000 and 1,500 cataract opera- tion! please, give me just a little sight!" They tions alone are performed each year. It is no beat their foreheads, they grope to some corner exaggeration to say that sight has been restored to ponder upon the magnitude of the calamity that to 30,000 by this man and his co-workers. has befallen them. They sneak back into line two or three times in hopes the opinion may be It was my great privilege to be one of the guest changed; maybe the doctor who has such great surgeons invited to help in the eye work at Shik- arpur in January and February of 1938. I found power in his hands does not want to help them Shikarpur like most other Indian cities, dirty, con- after all; they offer the extra 40c they have gested, lacking necessary sanitary arrangements, knotted away in their shawl to spend for the food with narrow streets and open sewers, bazaars for the journey home; all to no avail, the eye is with food stalls swarming with flies, dust filling "burned out." Finally it sinks into their dulled the air-all ideal conditions for the spread of brain that they are really doomed to blindness for disease. the rest of their life. Again they take the hand' of their friend and hopelessly they plod the Few of our patients, however, come from the journey homeward. city itself. They come from villages scattered all over the Sind Desert. The fame of one' man, The Hospital Is the Patient with a Roof "Holland Sahib," draws them to the Eye Hospital Over Him at Shikarpur, about three hundred miles from Karachi in Southwest India. As many as 400 The patients are carried on primitive stretchers patients come in one day and on the two busiest from the hospital to the "sheds," erected by days our staff of four doctors performed 88 stretching poles from an enclosing brick wall to cataract operations and an equal number of other brick posts set in rows with mats placed over the eye operations each day. In January and Feb- poles to form a roof. As the number of in-patients ruary altogether. about 1,500 cataract operations increases the "hospital" is enlarged by stretching were performed. more poles from brick pier to pier and adding The most common eye condition for which relief more matting. It is a type of building which ilis sought at the Shikarpur Eye Hospital is cata- lustrates Dr. Paul Harrison's definition of a hosract. Indian hakims or untrained "doctors" have pital: "A patient with a roof over him, and the for ages treated blindness due to cataract by push- roof isn't very important." ing a needle into the eye right into the pupil and pushing the lens that has become opaque away To this hospital comes the high strung, nervous, from the aperture where it blocks the channel of sleek and well fed Hindu who has perhaps atlight and back into the rear chamber of the eye. tained his position of wealth and influence by The patient so treated has vision restored im- lending money to less fortunate brothers at 1000/0 mediately in many cases and as a result the hakim interest. He calls on "Ram," his god, to bless him makes a lucrative living. He does not stay in that as we remove his cataract, and he rolls his eyes village very long, however, nor does he return from side to side as we instruct him to remain if he can help it; for his patients in most cases quiet if he desires a good eye. He may be able to eventually become incurably blind. pay as much as $50 to $100 for his operation- (but try and get it!).
[482 ] Yonder is the calm and placid Mohammedan rails and four legs with rope woven across the peasant from a barren village far away. He lies frame. The patient and his attendant will freimmovable on the table except for a few muttered quently sleep in the same narrow bed and if other "Allah-Allah's" and because he is unspeakably members of the family have accompanied the poor will perhaps have his cataract removed for patient they sleep under the bed on the dirt floor. 40c. Mohammedans form two-thirds of our pa- There is a happy-go-lucky atmosphere about it all tients in this hospital. even though the scanty, thin bedding, the patched ragged clothing and the undernourished bodies Our next patient is a restless Brahui, outwardly tell of great poverty in the case of most of them. calm and trying to act indifferent and fearless at the prospect of an operation, but one can never "And the Poor Have the Gospel Preached tell what he may do. Or we may next see a long- to Them." haired Sikh with long black beard and hair untouched by scissors or razor. The stocky and A team of five evangelistic workers carried on strong Baluchi, the fanatical and suspicious an intensive and practical evangelistic campaign. Afghani, the plodding Panjabi peasant, the In the clinic, the sheds, the city and the neighbor- Pathan with the chip on his shoulder looking for ing district they sold 3,600 Scripture portions, trouble-all are represented. As many as five chiefly single Gospels, but also several whole hundred patients may be actually in residence at Bibles. When one considers that the district is one time, making this the largest Eye Hospital largely Mohammedan these large sales are really in the world while it is in operation. With each surprising. patient must come at least one friend to care for his needs, and frequently the whole family makes Daily preaching services were conducted in the it a time for vacation, bringing all the children hospital, and stereopticon talks on Scriptural and even the cow and the dog with pups. themes in the evening. The most fruitful work was done by hours spent in personal talks with Fifty fires will be burning with groups of a inquiring patients and friends. A greater evandozen or so about each campfire. Chipaties or gelistic opportunity could scarcelY,be imagined Indian breads are baking on skillets. Queer spicy anywhere. To estimate spiritual results is imsmells arise from the pots and pans over the possible. The physical results are clear and confires in the Hindu section. A small mob is milling vincing. Hundreds of men and women, whose about the kitchen from which 200 pounds of rice, eyes were blind so that they could see nothing at 200 pounds of flour and 200 quarts of milk are all, went home rejoicing, having received sight. distributed free to patient and one friend each It is our earnest hope that many also had "the day. eyes of their understanding enlightened" and could go home rejoicing, that whereas they once Each patient brings his own bedding, but native were spirtiually blind they now can see the charpais are furnished free. These charpais, or wondrous Light of the World. Indian beds, consist of a framework of four side- THE FASCINATION OF THE CITY The City man muses on the magnitude and significance of the daily migration of two millions of people from home or sleeping place into the business area of the city to its vital organs. He wonders what, if anything, this daily oscillation of human flesh has accomplished. It has helped to turn the turbines of industry and of commerce, true, but what has it all done to the people themselves?
Surely the city is at once dynamic and stimulating. The great metropolitan communities of London, New York, Chicago, Detroit and San Francisco exert a lure and fascination on hamlet and cross-road. The city is exhilarating to the young, challenging to the prepared, albeit enervating to the weak, frightening to the old and relentlessly hard on the hindermost. If only men never felt fatigue and never grew old, is the long, single sigh of the city.
Yet, even in his weary moments, there is respite and revival for spent City man; he sees his city, despite its inhumanity, a city magnificent; its buildings towering skyward, commanding a view of the whole metropolitan area; bridges with their graceful arches concealing strength under their grace; educational institutions magnificent in their equipment; art galleries and museums; imposing luxurious hotels; apartment houses designed to give the favored a sense of security and power; a flow of traffic magnificent in its equipage, pulsating with unlimited energy; a skyline splendid in outline despite its haphazard notches and irregular curves. Yet, what a toll in human substance this magnificence has cost!
CHARLES H. SEARS.
Great Missionaries To
Lessons from Their Ideals and Methods -<till I By REV. C. E. ABRAHAM, Serampore College, Bengal jSt– INTRODUCTION. A missionary may be judged 9, 1834 Carey died at Serampore at the age of seventy- by the historian from various points of view. three. His achievements, methods of work and ideals Certain things are a source of perpetual inspirand aspirations may each entitle a missionary to ation and enlightenment to posterity in the life a niche in the temple of fame, and a man be well and work of William Carey. The secret of his satisfied if he has something to his credit on any of wonderful achievements may be found in his love these counts. Taking the long roll of missionaries for His Saviour and in his faith in God's promises.
from the West who have labored in India, scores Carey was a child of the evangelical revival in- have earned a secure place in the history of the itiated by the Wesleys and Whitfield in England.
Church by the brilliance of their achievements or Since the day of his conversion, as a young man, aspirations in the cause of the Kingdom. A few the cross of Jesus was a theme that constantly may be ranked as pioneers in missionary annals engaged his thought and touched new chords of and upon them posterity has bestowed a greater wonder and joy in his soul. We may recall here degree of honor than on their fellows. This is not two incidents in Carey's life. When Marshman only because.of what they were in themselves, but asked one day for a text on which he might preach because they typify in a more conspicuous manner, during the memorial service after Carey's death, the ideals and aspirations of their fellow mission- Carey at once suggested "By Grace ye are saved."
aries. (Eph. 2: 8.) At the beginning of his career Alexander Duff Among this select few may be reckoned the three figures that form the subject of this short came to receive Dr. Carey's blessings. At the end sketch. Each may be called a pioneer in illustrat- of the conversation in which the veteran was ing certain qualities or certain methods of work complimented by the young missionary on the which are unique in mission history. At the same work the former had accomplished, Carey turned time all of them are in various ways like other to Duff and said: "When I am gone, don't speak workers of whom the world has heard little or of Dr. Carey, but of his Saviour." Even today it nothing. In appreciating these pioneers we are is only the cross of Christ that can enable men to not paying homage to a few supermen on top of be true missionaries and can keep them Christthe missionary roll of honor, but honoring the like in their life and service for the Kingdom. rank and file who have enlisted themselves in the valiant task of building up the Kingdom of God Amazing too is the breadth of vision that Carey in India. displayed in his work at a time when parochialism prevailed everywhere. While in England he William Carey awoke to the need of preaching the Gospel to the non-Christian world and tried to arouse others We shall consider first the great mIssIOnary also to a sense of the same need. That is how who is justly called the "Father of Modern Mis- the Baptist Missionary Society came to be founded sions." The main facts of his life are well known: in 1792. In India, too, Carey's work was charac- William Carey was born August 17, 1761, at Paulers terized by the same wide sweep of vision. He Pury in Northampton-shire, England; in 1779 he was was not content to work in one spot; being overconverted while serving as an apprentice in a shoemaker's whelmed by the sense of need of the whole counshop; he was pastor in Moulton and Leicester and in try, he wanted to make Serampore a centre of 1792 preached his deathless sermon on Isaiah 44; "Ex- far-flung missionary operations throughout the pect great things from God, Attempt great things for God"; on October 2, 1792, the Baptist Missionary Society East. In translation work, he took the whole of was founded and in 1793 Carey was appointed missionary to India; from 1794 to 1800 Carey was an indigo planter India as his field, not only Bengal. It will be reand padre at Mudnabati; in 1800 he reached Serampore; in 1801 the Bengali New Testament was published; later membered that he translated the Bible into all Bible and Bible portions were translated into 34 Indian the prm.C.Ipa1 1anguages f I n d·Ia excep t t wo m. languages; in 1818 he founded Serampore College; June 0 the extreme South (Tamil and Malayalam) for which provision had been otherwise made.
[484 ] Further, Carey found no difficulty in cooperat- council. As a rule the Indian cannot easily see ing with those of a different persuasion from in a missionary a follower of Christ of the Indian himself in theological and ecclesiastical matters. Road. Carey's covenant reads as follows: Himself a Baptist by conviction, though not by birth, he moved on the most friendly terms with 1. To set an infinite value on men's souls. Anglican chaplains like Henry Martyn and David 2 To acquaint ourselves with the snares which hold Brown. The Martyn Pagoda in Serampore is a the minds of the people. witness today to this interdenominational amity 3. To abstain from whatever deepens India's prejudice that Carey valued so highly. The broad basis on against the Gospel. which Serampore College is founded is another 4. To watch for every chance of doing the people good. illustration of his broad outlook. It is laid down 5. To preach "Christ crucified" as the grand means of in the College statutes that "No caste, color or conversion. creed shall debar anyone from becoming a student 6. To esteem and treat Indians always as our equals. of Serampore College." In his methods one finds 7. To guard and build up "the hosts that may be the same comprehensiveness of outlook. Though gathered." he never tired of preaching by word of mouth in 8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever pressing upon the streets of Calcutta and Serampore and else- them their missionary obligation-since Indians only can where he did not conceive the Gospel to be merely win India for Christ. a message to be delivered; it was for him a 9. To labor unceasingly in Biblical translation. Power to transform society as well as individuals; 10. To be instant in the nurture of personal religion. that is why he adopted, along with his colleagues, 11. To give ourselves without reserve to the cause, "not various methods in fighting social evils such as counting even the clothes we wear our own." infanticide and suttee (widow-burning). Alexander Duff Some Missionary Ideals Here is a representative of the second genera- Amongst the ideals that Carey has bequeathed tion of Protestant missionaries. Duff was a to posterity may be mentioned two which have a pioneer in the field of Christian higher education. special relevance to the present time. He saw early the value of indigenous leadership in relation Duff was born April 25, 1806; in 1823 to 1829 he was to the missionary program. Serampore College in St. Andrews under Dr. Chalmers; in 1829 he was was founded for the training of "native youth" appointed missionary and arrived in India; in 1830 he to preach the Gospel. He also saw the importance opened a school which later grew into the now famous of giving a thorough training to Indian youth, Scottish Church College; in 1832 lie published the first not only in the truths of the Christian religion, number of the Calcutta Christian Observer; from 1844 but also in the thought and culture of the East. to 1849 he was editor of the Calcutta Review; in 1854 Sanskrit had an honored place in the Serampore he gave evidence before the Government which influenced curriculum for a long time and the vernaculars the famous Education Dispatch of 1854 (resulting in the too received recognition that they had not en- creation of the University of Calcutta, Bombay and joyed before. The value of the vernacular is now Madras); on February 12, 1878, he died in Edinburgh being recognized by every missionary society, but at the age of seventy-two. one wonders whether the same emphasis is given by all missions alike to the cultural heritage of The ship in which Duff came out to India with India in the training of evangelists and pastors. his wife in 1830 was wrecked off the coast of Africa and Duff lost all his possessions, includ- Another of Carey's ideals was that mission ing a library of 800 books which was a gift from work should be carried on upon the basis of a the Mission Council of the Church of Scotland. fellowship and sh~ring between workers on the Two of these books were washed ashore and field. The covenant drawn up by the Serampore eventually came into Duff's hands-a copy of trio, Carey, Marshman and Ward is one that Bagster's Edition of the Bible and a Scottish should prove a challenge to every mission field at Psalter. These were practically the sole possesthe present time. Carey and his colleagues tried to sions with which he landed in India, but Duff was live their lives, in spite of difficulties, in the light not disappointed for he knew that there was only of this high ideal; and it is perhaps this aspect one thing needful and he held in his hands the of his life which evokes the greatest admiration treasure that India needed most. for them in the eyes of the Indian Church. The members of this Church want not only to receive The problem of presenting the Gospel to the the Gospel from the West from the missionaries, people of Bengal was by no means an easy one. but to see its truths demonstrated in the mission Missionaries before him had preached the Word compound, missionary conferences and church in the market place and in the highways; the Bible had been translated into the vernaculars, yet the heart of Hinduism r.emained apparently untouched. Intellectuals among Hindus were either orthodox or agnostic and were not kindly disposed towards Christianity. Duff believed that the Gospel would be able to uproot the evils of Hinduism only if the Bible was presented in the context of Western culture and philosophy. West- Christianity. This is clear from the follow- ern education carried on through the medium of ing quotation from Duff's writings.
English might be used to work this miracle and I have never ceased to pronounce the system of giving so Duff made up his mind to try this new method. a high English education, without religion, blind suicidal The times were propitious. Whether English or policy. On the other hand, . . . I have never ceased the oriental languages should be given primacy to declare that . . . no wiser or more effective plan can be conceived than that of bestowing this higher Engin the administrative policy of the East India lish education in close and inseparable alliance with the Company was a live issue, and Duff threw the illumining, quickening, beautifying influences of the Chrisweight of his support in favor of English. Even- tian faith.
tually, thanks to the advocacy of Macaulay, the If we criticize the modern system of education English language came to be accepted as the in India we must remember that its character as medium of instruction in India and thus higher visualized by its advocates like Duff, was differeducation received a new dignity and status which ent from what has been developed in the course it has retained until the present day. of time. The Lindsay Commission which visited Duff's greatness lies in the fact that he was the India in 1931 investigating the conditions under first to make higher education in English an effec- which higher education was carried on, has at- tive handmaid in the Christian program. The tempted to restore the Christian colleges to their Christian school and college are now accepted as original level of usefulness to the community and a matter of course as an integral factor in mis- the nation at large as in the days of Carey and sionary and church work, and we are apt to lose Duff. This in itself is a tribute to the inherent sight of the difficulties of the pioneer. It is true soundness of Duff's ideal for Christian higher edthat in Duff's day, there was a widespread desire ucation. Discussing the aims of Christian higher in Bengal to learn English since it afforded a education, the Report of the Commission says: key to the treasures of Western culture. But to To give the students who come to them a sound educa- learn it from a missionary and to learn it in a tion, to open their minds to the opportunities of service school where the Bible was given the first place which are all about them, and through contact with the was not a proposition which all enlightened Gospel of Jesus Christ to inspire them with the spirit Hindus were prepared to accept. The noble ex- which will enable them to render that service effectively; to furnish leaders for the Christian community, which ertions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in making Duff's in its growing numbers and enlarging influence is beexperiment a success may be remembered with coming a factor of increasing importance in India's nagratitude both by the Hindus and Christians of tional life; and through the studies of its scholars into the present generation. Duff opened his school on the baffling problems-economic, social, and religious- July 13, 1830 in the presence of Ram Hohan Roy, which cry out for solution, to lay a firm basis on sound who had specially been present, on the occasion knowledge for wise action: this is to do for India what India most needs (p. 119).
to dispel the suspicions of his countrymen about If every missionary and Indian Christian the new missionary move. Duff's school grew into teacher would bear in mind the primary purpose large dimensions, and by the end of his career in of Christian education as it is sketched here and India Christian missions were vying with one would seek to go about his work in the spirit of another in promoting this new line of evangelistic the pioneer of this movement, Christian education work in different parts of the country. in India may increasingly become the spearhead Duff made his appeal on behalf of the Gospel, of a great evangelistic advance. We need today not only through the classroom as a teacher, but more men of Duff's type, men with conviction he appealed to the mind of non-Christian India about the spiritual value of Christian education.
through the press and the platform. By such a many-sided intellectual appeal he hoped to create Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur a ferment in Hindu society through which Bengal The jungle village of Dohnavur in Tinnevelly intelligentsia might be won for Christ. He was district in the south of India, has come on the not altogether disappointed in the result, for there missionary map during the last two decades. were several notable conversions from among his Here a wonderful piece of work is being carried students during his life time. on by Miss Amy Carmichael and her associates, Duff's Conception of Christian Education European and Indian, who are knit together into a spiritual fellowship of life and service.
In pleading for a system of education in which Miss Carmichael first came to South India English was of fundamental importance, Duff's nearly forty years ago and there saw one of the main consideration was that it would be a reli- horrible customs in Hindu society-that of dedi- gious system through and through. He had little cating girls and boys to the gods and goddesses in use for education divorced from the teaching of Hindu temples-still lingering in certain parts. The fate of these children is ultimately a life of The following "Confession of Love" signed by girls joining the "Sisters of the Common Life" shame and misery. Since the more enlightened (organized March 18, 1916) expresses wonder- fully well, the spirit of the Fellowship as a whole. public opinion in Indian society does not counte- My vow: nance this scandalous custom, it has created an un- Whatsover Thou sayest unto me, by Thy grace I will derworld of its own with its secret agents for do it.
trafficking in the souls and bodies of innocent My constraint: Thy love, 0 Christ, my Lord. children. Moved to sympathy with the victims of My confidence: this evil custom in the Tinnevelly district Miss Thou art able to keep that which have I committed Carmichael, an Irish woman and formerly a mis- unto Thee.
sionary under the Church Missionary Society, My joy: To do Thy will, 0 God. started rescue work among them. There were My discipline: very heavy odds against her but God blessed her That which I would not choose, but which Thy love efforts and from humble beginnings it has now appoints.
developed into noble proportions both in size and My prayer: Conform my will to Thine. personnel. From being the work of a lone hand it My motto: has now become the united effort of a heroic Love to Live: Live to Love.
Fellowship* at Dohnavur. In a sense, the work My portion: The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance. (Gold Cord, being carried on is not very different from that p. 162.) found in some other mission stations. There is In recent times Fellowships similar to that of preaching the Gospel, teaching the children, vil- Dohnavur have been formed in different places in India under the name of "Ashrams." lage uplift, medical service-all these are featu~es These Ashrams and Fellowships are the harin the Christian missionary program of IndIa. binger of a new day for the missionary movement in India. At the same time it may be said that Yet the spirit behind the work is unfortunately they cannot wholly take the place of the mission- ary societies, Western or Eastern. What we need not found in every mission. is a sufficient number of Fellowships throughout the country s~ that they may act as living cells There are two things in the Dohnavur spirit promoting the spiritual health of the missionary organization as a whole. which we may note specially. First, there is the Our Conclusion spirit of faith and complete dependence on God We may recall the thought we gave expression for every need and for guidance and power that to in the introduction to this article. The three figures introduced into this sketch are pioneers animates all the work and workers. Their mis- as well as types. They have accomplished differ- ent kinds of work which may in a sense be called sion was born of faith and is sustained by faith. unique; yet in another sense it is work in which Western Missions have been engaged from the be- It is not supported by any missionary society or ginning of their history. What India longs to see is that the work of missions and missionaries to church council in the West or in the East. The India is carried on today in the spirit of the pioneers-the spirit of Christian faith, spiritual buildings at Dohnavur, as well as the men and fellowship and self-sacrificing adventure.
women serving there, are reminders to a visitor of God who answers prayer, the prayer of believ- ing faith. Elaborate organization in missionary work, it seems, has too generally tended to reduce the element of faith almost to the vanishing point, but one feels that what Dohnavur stands for is a corrective that is greatly needed in India at the present time.
Second, the Dohnavur spirit is the spirit of fel- loofwCshhriip~t.intMimenataenadnwd ovmiteanl and rooted in the love belonging to different races and communions have come together in a spirit of love based on common loyalty to their Lord and Master.
• The story of the Fellowship is recorded by Miss Carmichael In "Gold Cord" S. P. C. K.. 1932.
Our Part in His Task By HENRY VAN DYKE Every mason in the quarry, every builder on the shore, Every chopper in the pa!m grove, every ~aftsman at the oar-:- Hewing wood and drawmg water, splIttmg stones and cleavmg sod- All the dusty ranks of labor, in the regiments. of G<?d, .
March together toward His triumph, do the tas!: HIS hands prepare, Honest toil is holy service: faithful work is praIse and pr~~er. . -From The Mar~t'/,me Bapt'tSt.
Indian Christian-Pandita Ramabai*
PANDITA RAMABAI was born in 1858 and own people. Her book with the title Morals for was the great pioneer of the modern women's Women had brought her in enough to provide movement in India. She inherited from her funds for her and her child's travel. ,father, Ananta Shastri Dongre, a learned Brah- It was about this time that she had been called min, the best traditions of Indian civilization. before the Education Commission to give evi- Her mother, who had been educated by her hus- dence. It is said that her words were reported to band, taught little Ramabai in her earliest child- Queen Victoria, who was greatly impressed, and hood to know the sounds of Sanskrit as the sacred that her appeal for women doctors for India texts were intoned around her. Her youth, hastened the formation of the Dufferin Hospital 1858-78, was spent wandering with her parents scheme for women's hospitals. Pandita herself from the south to the north of India. Her father had hoped to be a medical woman but was pre- taught the Hindu Puranas or Sanskrit texts wher- vented by deafness.
ever he went and encouraged the idea of women's Baptized into Christ education. He was an enlightened Hindu mission- Arrived in England Ramabai and her daughter, ary. When her parents both died suddenly, Ramabai Manorama, went to Wantage. Here, in 1883, they and her brother were left alone in the world and were both received into the Church of Christ.
they continued to travel on foot for two thousand The following year found Ramabai at Chelten- miles, searching for truth at ham Ladies College working great Hindu seats of learn- with and learning from Miss ing and expounding to the The chief characteristics of Ra- Dorothea Beale. The two ignorant what they them- mabai's life were her noble, digni- women made a fast friend- selves knew. Everywhere fied and commanding personality, ship and after Miss Beale's they saw the sufferings of her exceptionally loving, sympa- death a Ramabai Fund was women and preached their thetic and generous nature, her im- started by some members of emancipation. Ramabai lec- mense mountain-moving faith, her the College Guild. At Chel- tured in Sanskrit and so as- strength of character, deep humil- tenham, Ramabai tau g h t tounded the learned Pandits ity, wonderful administrative ca- Sanskrit to a chosen few and that they gave her the title pacity and above all her great pas- continued her own studies.
Pandita and called her Sa- sion for winning souls. Prayer was She was young in Christian rasvati (Wisdom). the power which worked her great faith and experience and In Calcutta she married a institution. The Word of God was once left Miss Beale, who Bengali gentleman, Mr. Bi- her ever abiding strength. thought that she had lost pin Bipari Medhavi, M.A., her faith; but it was not and they had one little for long and she returned daughter and a happily married life for two years. more radiant than before.
Then her husband died and Pandita, finding her- Later, in America, whither she went to study self a lonely Hindu widow, determined to devote Froebel, she investigated such cults as Christian her life to the uplift of Indian womanhood. For Science and Spiritism. The former she called a this purpose she went back to her own country, sort of old Vedantism, and she thought it had its Western India, and arrived at Poona where she origin in Tibet. A lady who was a spiritist came hoped to form branches of a society which had to Pandita offering to put her into communication been formed to encourage the education and social with her mother. Ramabai, who had loved her reform of women. She was welcomed by the re- mother very dearly, consented to receive the mes- formers and feared by the orthodox. sage. When it was delivered the lady repeated Near to the entrance of Poona City the Wan- such a garbled edition of Ramabai's own nam::: tage community has its convent and here Pandita that the latter turned away disgusted, saying, found a friend in one of the sisters. She became "My mother could never have called me that." inclined towards Christianity and studied the A group of American friends, who were im- Bible. Finally she decided to travel to the West pressed by the charm and scholarship of this in order to fit herself better for service to her Indian lady who toured their country dressed in her simple white sari and eating purely vege- • From the July (1938) number of National Missionary Intelli- tarian food, formed a "Ramabai Association" to qencer, India.
[488 ] provide funds for her work for widows in India. of which any committee would have been afraid. With this help Ramabai sailed home in 1889. In later years she turned all her own powers of scholarship to a Marathi translation of the Bible. On arrival in Bombay she was met by the social This she did because she found the existing reformers who helped her to start a home for editions too erudite for ordinary villages. She widows in Bombay. This was subsequently moved had studied Hebrew and Greek and made a system to Poona. Her faith in Christ grew ever greater of comparison with other editions. All this printand with it her work broadened and she desired ing was done at Mukti where she had her own to help not only tlie high caste but any woman in printing presses run entirely by wom~n. distress. Pandita Ramabai possessed an Indian woman's In the terrible period of famine in Gujarat, gift of spirituality, combined with common sense; the district to the North of Bombay, Pandita, who she had the strength of character which belongs had herself suffered in famines, visited the area to the Deccan. She was first and foremost a and brought away famine children. Funds she re- mother. Seated on the floor at the Sunday service, ceived from America were used in starting homes the little children pressing up against her white at Mukti, Khedgaon, thirty miles from Poona. and flowing sari, played with her keys and This now became the centre of her work and at a fountain pen while she listened to a long one time the number of inmates at Mukti totalled Marathi sermon. She had a huge responsibility 1,900. on her shoulders, but she did not appear worried or anxious. Her early wanderings in the jungle Her years of wandering among the villages of had given her a love of wide spaces in nature, no India stood her in good stead in organizing such fear in loneliness, and vision and simple faith. a work. To feed these numbers was in itself a large task and Pandita had a hundred cattle and She was a loving mother, but also a firm dismany wells and a whole department for cultivat- ciplinarian. ing the adjoining fields, the work being largely done by the women themselves. Manorama, who seemed so fitted for the work, died in 1921, and in her g,reat sorrow She desired those in her charge to learn to be Pandita went bravely on alone. Pandita herself good housewives and that every Indian woman died the next year. At the memorial service Hindu should be a good cook. Many departments of in- and Christian joined to honor her and Mrs. dustrial work, graded according to the intelligence Sarojini Naidu, foremost among Indian women, of the worker, were organized by a devoted band said that she had learned her first inspiration for of helpers, many of whom came from America, service from Pandita. the colonies or Europe. No Christian leader has ever inherited such a Later the education of the Mukti community wealth of Hindu culture; but for her it proved was organized by Manorama, who had in- insufficient; and she found the fulfilment of her herited her mother's gift for accepting responsi- religious life in the simplicity of the Gospel of bility; the schools were held in the great central Christ. She accepted the guidance of God in every building which was used on Sundays for church. detail of life and her leadership was sure and Manorama, besides providing for the education quiet. The tradition of Pandita Ramabai means of more than thirteen hundred girls, was finding a great deal to the Church of Christ in India; time and energy to attend the Deccan College in but she was even more than a great Indian, she Poona and take her degree. was also a great international in her outlook and realized that the love of Christ makes all men kin. The Pandita's great faith made her see visions of what might be and launch out into schemes Note: Read also: "Devotees of Christ," by D. S. Batley, 2 shillings, Senana Missionary Society, London,1938. This is a very stirring series of fourteen short biographies of Indian Christian women. They are for reading aloud. D. L. P.
"CENT-A-DAY" MOVEMENT IN CHINA Throughout China Christians are subscribing to the "Cent-a-Day" Movement inaugurated by the National Christian Council to provide relief funds for Chinese sufferers. This movement is part of an effort to mobilize all the resources of the Christian community. Everyone who wishes to cooperate is expected to give one cent a day. The National Christian Council assumes responsibility for making surveys of conditions and needs and allocates money on the basis of these surveys. The movement is also expected to strengthen the spirit of giving and of stewardship.
Church Takes Root in India*
Reviewed by F. M. PERRILL Condensed from "The Indian Witness," Bombay H ERE is a comprehensive presentation of In- lord who refuses to give the untouchables any dia's response to Christian teaching. Basil sort of equality of opportunity; this is but a heri- Mathews, incessant traveler, discriminat- tage from the past. The difference is that today ing observer, succinct writer who visited India in the untouchable is crying out for a different treat- 1936-7, has made telling use of his ability as a ment; in olden times he would never have thought gatherer and analyzer of pertinent facts. of such a thing; he would not have dared to cry It is not a simple matter to describe the way in out.
which the Christian Church is taking root in The Christians in the villages, along with the India. Many do not realize that India is a country others who are classed by high caste Hindus as as large as the United States east of the Rockies. depressed or untouchable, must bear the brunt Christians are found in almost every section of of the social and economic oppression that is found that vast domain. Situations are not the same in everywhere. Christianity has not brought magi- all parts of India for there are marked spiritual cal social or economic release and so there is no awakenings in some places while a thousand miles temptation for the untouchables to become Chris- away, in a different language area, there may be tians in the hope of finding immediate deliver- little evidence of such interest. ance. As Mr. Mathews says, "What is given to Eighty-five per cent of India's three hundred the outcaste who comes into the Christian fold and fifty million people live in villages and most today is never economic betterment but power to of the Christians in India live in the villages. No raise himself."
one lives on a farm; but farmers live in villages . The author tells of the reform movement among and go out to work in their fields. Most Chris- the Hindus, which is trying to do away with un- tians are poor and come from groups who work touchability. Mr. Gandhi is rightly credited with for the landlords. As a class they are almost at leading this reform. Evidently the author does the bottom of the economic ladder. For the not believe that Hinduism will be able to bring Church to take root among these groups means about the social transformation that the reform- that the pastors and teachers must work against ers desire. "If caste, karma and maya are thrown great economic, social and educational odds. out, what remains is not Hinduism." Certainly Mr. Mathews tells us that there is a "changing caste must go if untouchability is to go. Dr. Am- tempo" to be found in rural India. He says, "We bedkar, the untouchable leader, says that Hindu- see the age-old rhythm of her life being strangely ism cannot remove untouchability since the caste disturbed by the restless mechanism of the new system has produced it. The untouchables must age and by the ferment of ideas in action, such as leave Hinduism if they are to find spiritual re- nationalism, communism, feminism and Chris- lease.
tianity…. Priceless wealth lies in the old system; Weare shown something of the struggle that untold benefits lie in the new." The Church the untouchables face as they seek to raise throughout rural India is "taking root" in a soil themselves. The part which Christianity is play- that is being deeply plowed. The Gospel has much ing is indicated by the statement that "every to do with this plowing and the Sermon on the month at least fifteen thousand untouchables are Mount has plowed a deep furrow across India's coming out of animism to enter the Church in age-long complaisancies. The introduction of India because of the changed lives of their fellow democratic ideas, along with British rule, caused men who are in the Christian fold." It is this the unrest in rural India. In the olden days the steady movement towards Christianity which the villages had more than their share of famine and Hindus are trying to check.
pestilence, of cruel oppression and poverty, and If a liberal-minded Hindu like Mr. Gandhi can there was no effective remedy. If today there is attack with some warmth the work of Christians the pride and arrogance of the high caste land- in India, it may be taken for granted that others not so liberal are showing greater "warmth." And Fri•eBndyshBipasPilreMss.atheNwews. Yo1r9k8. p1p9.38. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents paper. SO it happens that in many parts of India the vil- [490 ] lage Christians are facing severe persecutions and from India so to let its light shine that all men denunciations. Mr. Mathews gives a clear picture may glorify God." of the struggle that is .going on. There are thousands of these humble illiterate village people who The reading of this book will bring a better have taken Christ as their Lord and Master. This understanding of the problems which the Chrisstatement merits attention: tian Church faces in India. It will also give a "The Church in India is indeed a community very vivid picture of the different ways in which desperately ignorant, marred with dark blemishes, these problems are being solved. It will show that divided within itself, stumbling at times into the the efforts to bring about extensive Church union slough of despond from which it is being lifted are succeeding. Those who have learned much by its divine Lord. I do not understand, how- about India through the years will find this book ever, how anyone who has seen that Church at its a help in correlating their information, while worship, met in comradeship the rank and file of those who are looking for help towards a better its leaders, come face to face with the harsh, understanding of present-day India will find here loathsome forces that it has to fight, and been the book they need. It is good literature and lifted in soul by its singing courage, can doubt there are many quotable passages. that, sharing as it does with the holy Church throughout the world the grace of its living Lord, The book is particularly well suited for study it is destined to be the saving salt of India, and or discussion groups. It has a good index and one of the most useful features of the appendix is the full and well-arranged reading list.
THANK GOD FOR YOUTH!* Youth-heir of the sufferings, ministries, achievements of past generations; whose life blood is the very life blood of those who gave them birth; whose intellectual grasp is the product of patient tutelage at home and at school; whose spiritual ideals root in the great souls of yesterday and today-youth, heir of all the past.
Youth—come into a wanton world create d by the sin and stupidity of its elders; handicapped by the mistakes of well-meaning but blind generations; burdened but not overwhelmed by the immensity of the problems of the hour-youth, creature of the past but creator of the future.
Youth-energetic and dissatisfied; sometimes moved by a reckless restlessness and again by a divine discontent; misguided and uncontrolled, at times, wasting its substance in riotous living; divinely motivated and sublimely purposed, at times, daring to attempt a perfection which seems, to cautious older minds, to be idealistic folly-youth, unwilling to accept the world as it is.
Youth – suffering deep pent-up sorrows, enduring well-nigh crQshing defeats, hoping against tremendous odds, fighting cruel inner battles, winning, unherill.ded but glorious triumphs-youth, victim and victor.
Christian youth—captured by the dream of the young Idealist of Nazareth, impelled by the lofty concerns which led Him to Calvary; Christian youth, seeking to know and follow the Will of God, embracing all human kind wi thin the family circle; determined to rid the world of its besetting sins and unnecessary sorrow-Christian youth, with whom the name "Christian" takes on a new, and yet its oldest, meaning.
Christian youth-newly conscious of its potential power, impatient with the trivialities which divide the Church of Christ, accepting the responsibility to build a Christlike world, counting the possible cost of allegiance to Christ and increasingly ready to pay the price- Christian youth a dedicated minority, intent upon the work for which Christ gave His life.
Christian youth-aware of the limits of their own wisdom, taking counsel of the experiences of the past, seeking the help which comes from God alone, cherishing no fantastic thought that theirs will be a quick or easy victory-Christian youth who call Jesus "Master," who enlist in His cause for the duration of life, trusting the God of all power to give them strength for every need.
Thank God for Youth!
* From the Missionary Herrald, Boston.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
THE MADRAS CON- this Conference as it considers ty years, and who himself has some of the great problems been a Foreign missionary in FERENCE which face the world Church to- Turkey for a quarter of a cen- day. tury. The decennial meeting of the International Missionary Council, to which THE INTERDEPENDENCE Too often the great achievefour hundred and fifty delegates from OF HOME AND FOREIGN ments of the Home missionary all parts of the world will assemble, MISSIONS movement go unnoticed and unwill begin in Madras, India, on De- sung. Why? Foreign missions cember· twelfth and continue through Both Home and Foreign Mis- go on, ever growing, ever gain- sions find their origin in the December thirtieth. Dr. John R. Mott same source – the Christian ing in strength. Each new Church. Out of the Church flows achievement adds to the totaJ will preside. both life streams, one going to- picture of the results of Foreign wards the Home missionary missions. In contrast, in the Home Missions is well repre- fields and the other maintaining Home missionary field, the consented in the delegation sched- the Foreign missionary move- stant and commendable effort uled to meet in Madras on the ment. morning of December twelfth. has been to get a church that Among the home mission l~ad Thousands of our American was founded by Home missions ers representing America at this churches were founded in the up to the status of a Helf-sup- Conference are Mrs. Hilda Ives, Home mISSIOnary movement. porting church, whereupon it Executive Secretary of the Asso- During the period of their ciated Commission for the De- growth, these same churches immediately ceases to become a velopment of the Rural Church were either established by a part of the Home missionary in New England, and President Home missionary, or a little program and emerges as a part of the New England Town and group of Christians were able to of the supporting constituency Country Church Commission; build their church through the of both Home and Foreign mis- Dr. Mary Sweeney, Rural Ex- financial help of the Home Mis- sionary work. Take for example pert from Merrill Palmer School, sion Boards. the First Congregational Church Detroit, Michigan; Miss Celes- of Pittsfield, Massachusetts,- tine Smith, Y. W. C. A. Student In my own denomination some which is one of the seventy-one Secretary working among Col- of the strongest churches, which ored schools in the South; Mr. today have the greatest sense of churches which contribute to- ;Martin Harvey, President of stewardship, and which contrib- gether over twenty-five per cent the Christian Youth Council of ute loyally and substantially to of all the missionary money giv- North America; Dr. Roy G. both Home and Foreign mis- en by over six thousand Congre- Ross, General Secretary of the sions were founded by Home gational and Christian Churches. International Council of Reli- Missions. Studying the history of the First gious Education; and Dr. Edwin A. Odell, representing the All of our Foreign mission- Church of Pittsfield, one finds Committee on Cooperation in aries came out of the Church- that its first building was erected Latin America, and of the Pres- many of them came from Home with the aid of Home missionary byterian Board of National Mis- missionary churches. Among my money. The writer is persuaded sions of North America. These Foreign missionary friends are that a comprehen~ive study of and many others from America those who caught the vision of all churches built in the last one will take to the Conference their being a Foreign missionary, be- hundred and fifty years would very great interest, concern, and cause of the spirit and devotion reveal that there would have information on the whole home of their parents as Home mis- been very little of the great Formission field. sionaries. One of the most won- eign missionary enterprise of derful illustrations of this is Dr. the past century were it not for Following the Madras Confer- Fred Field Goodsell, Executive the vitality given to the home ence there will be two teams of Vice-President of the American nationals from all parts of the Board of Commissioners for churches by the Home missionworld who will visit fifty cities Foreign Missions, whose parents ary movement. in the United States bringing were Home missionaries for forback the message of Madras to One of the failures of the misthe home Church. [492 ] sionary enterprise during many years has been an inadequate May the continued prayers of the American Church be with handling of the marvellous op- portunity of the foreign student
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
within our gates. Perhaps For- tian group in the world. Those at Christmas season this year. of us who lived and worked with eign missions have been so busy China's Christians know their CHRISTINA MARTYN OUTERBRIDGE going to the ends of the earth, stature. The reality of their ex- perience of God and their con- Former Congregational Missionary in China. they have overlooked or neglected sciousness of the central place of the great opportunity of bring- Jesus Christ in their lives en- WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ing the foreign students in ables them to bring to us a mes- America in contact with Chris- sage of great power and insight. February 24, 1939 tians, and especially failed in in- The growth of the Kingdom of troducing them into Christian God will be hastened by our wel- As the October Bulletin goes homes. No greater tragedy has coming to ourAmerican churches to press the printed material for occurred than that of a student more of the leaders of Christian the World Day of Prayer, obwho has spent from two to eight thought from these lands where served always on the first Friday years in America's colleges with- the Christian religion is a new in Lent, is being prepared for out discovering the Christian and vigorous growth. publication. The theme will be way of life, and yet thousands of "Let us Put our Love into Deeds students have lived in America Recently one of our Chinese -and Make it Real." The proand gone away again without pastors, Wang Hsueh J en, whose gram has been prepared by a church at Taiku, Shansi, is built group of young women of the becoming Christian, and without on the site where the mission- Presbyterian Church in the the Christian churches in Amer- aries were massacred in 1900, U. S. A., who meet together ica being very much disturbed came and spoke in many of our monthly for the preparation of New England churches. His helps for the development of about their lost opportunity. Dr. audiences were immediately im- spiritual life and is an enQeavor Hu Shih of China, one of the pressed that here was a man for to direct us to face unflinchingly greatest philosophers of our day, eighteen years in the pastorate some of the aspects of our modwho spent four years at Cornell in his own country-a man of ern life which are definitely unand four years at Columbia, is rare insight, deep compassion christian. It would be an en- and capable of great suffering. riching experience for commita notable illustration of this sit- His most thoughtful observation tees planning for such an obuation. He once told a group of of us was that it was too easy to servance to meet early in the fall American friends at Shanghai, become a church member in and regularly thereafter, using "Perhaps I could become a America. He said that we had the program as a consecration Christian if you Christians only made it so easy to join the service for each meeting. Those acted as though you believed Church that membership had lost taking part in the service on the what you say you believe." How much of its meaning for many World Day of Prayer should of our members. In a reflective have prayed the program did we miss this great oppor- mood we must admit that his through at least three times for tunity that came to America statement is too true in many the deeper realization of their during the first thirty-five years cases, but are we willing to lis- own participation. ten to a Christian missionary of the twentieth century? Was from China as we hope they will Two thousand five hundred it because Foreign missions be willing to listen to our mis- and eleven letters commenting thought their function was out- sionaries? on the observances in various side of America? Or was it be- parts of the United States had cause Home missions felt that No longer can the lines, Home been received in the Council ofthese foreign students were none fice by July 31, 1938; an increase of their responsibility? Believ- and Foreign, be so sharply of 176 over 1937. Many of the ing as I do in Foreign missions, letters comment on the spiritual drawn as in the past. It is no response growing out of this I nevertheless am confident that communion, and the fine ediit is more important that every longer the impact of Christian torials in the newspapers on the student that comes to America significance of the world-wide has an opportunity of discover- nations upon non-Christian na- day of prayer. The following excerpt was taken from some of ing the irresistible beauty of tions, because we have been the letters received: Jesus, than it is to send a mis- humbled in the realization that "There were twenty-two present at the meeting including five men. The program sionary back to his country to our own nation is far from was the one sent out by the committee. Mrs. Christian. The future of the – – , wife of the missionary pastor, very tell his people what we failed to missionary enterprise calls for a ably led the devotions and a number of the united mobilization of Christian younger Indian women who read and undertell their own emissary whom forces of all lands against the stand English took part in the program. non-Christian world which sur- Mrs. – – acted as interpreter for those they sent here. Incidentally, rounds all of us in all countries. who understand only the Cree language. This is the supreme reason that . . . One of the outstanding features of they will be more quick to be- the friends of Home missions as the program was the singing of 'What a well as Foreign missions look Friend We Have in Jesus' in three languages. lieve their own. with prayerful expectancy to the • • • Through this World Day of Prayer World Conference of Christians who can tell what racial feelings of distrust The next century must wit- which will assemble at Madras are being broken down, what thoughts of love for other races are being built up, and into ness a closer coordination of our how many Indian American hearts will come total missionary enterprise. The the first spark of the great love of Jesus?" growing Christian community in lands where the Foreign missionaries have been working, such as China, reveals a vitality of spiritual growth that stands shoulder high with any Chris-
Ways of
'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home w. . EDITED BY GRACE MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Some Definite Aims gions of India. They wanted to structed as to be of general in- do two things: to satisfy them- terest. Often special interest Work toward a definite aim selves that the native religions groups may be formed, for from in your meetings. What do you one to six meetings. No atwant to occur in the lives of of India do not really answer tempt is made to force general members of your group through India's religious need, and to see this study? Here are some aims what Christianity as a religious attendance. which certain g r 0 ups have Such things as the following worked toward. faith can give India which the are possible: other religions cannot. 3. A third group set out to Following the general address 1. The missionary supported discover the facts and statistics of a medical missionary, a meet- by the Jackson Street Church of their denomination's work in ing in a home might be planned, was to be in town on a year's India. They wanted to know to which the doctors, dentists, furlough from I n d i a. The where their mission stations nurses, health counselors, Board church decided to take advantage were, and exactly what pieces of Health members, sanitary of it (a) to become thoroughly of work were being carried on; engineers, etc., are invited. Not acquainted with their mission- who are the missionaries and for all, of course, will be interested, ary as a person, interesting her what type of work each is re- but many will respond to an in- in their lives, both pleasures and sponsible; what nationals are vitation to hear something of problems, as well as coming to outstanding and in what ways; health problems and the mission- know her as a person; (b) to what churches are established ary's task in meeting them. In find out all they could about her and how they are operating. such a gathering, technical queswork, experiences, friendships, Through such a study they felt tions can be asked and answered, interests, joys and difficulties on they would gain a foundation for and an angle of medical work re- the mission field; (c) to do some understanding reports, stories vealed which cannot be done in special reading on Indian back- and news of their church at work a public address. Be sure that ground, discussing the books with in India through the coming the host's little daughter is not her to see what her comment on years. allowed to sit in! And make it and interpretation of situations 4. Another group, not par- a purely professional group.
presented in them might be; ticularly interested in missions, Otherwise its purpose will be (d) to have some special occa- was led to a study of outstanding defeated. sions when she would talk not women of India. Through this The ministers of the town only to the group specially inter- the sponsors hoped to awaken a might gather to consider the re- ested but to a larger audience; realization of the meaning of ligions of India and their rela- (e) to arrange times when 'She Christianity to the womanhood tionship to problems of social would meet the children to help of that land. reform such as are troubling all give vitality to a study of India We might cite other instances of us at the moment. If a well- which they would be encouraged of definite aims for study in con- informed speaker can be had to to take while she could visit their nection with India. A decision open the discussion, well and group frequently (she was not to try to attain a certain attitude, good. If not, your denomina- asked to take charge of the amount of knowledge, or point tional board will recommend the study); (f) to have times when of view, helps you to select that most recent and best book to be she would help the young people which is most pertinent from used as a basis for the study.
in their study of India; (g) to among the mass of materials A group of mothers might set culminate the year's study with available for the India Study. out to discover some of the proba three-evening program and ex- Know where you want to go. lems of mothers in India. It is hibit on India which she would Then plan the route which will through such a search that the help them plan and to which take you there most effectively. need of Indian childhood for every group and individual in Interest Groups on India Christian nurture will become the church could contribute. most apparent.
2. A small group decided on Your program for the study A group interested in art a concentrated' study of the reli- of India is probably so con- might consider Indian arts and (494 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
crafts and try to find out some- should be linked up with the delightful favors. Pink crepe thing about the growing expres- study of India, not only for what paper, and a little paraffin are ;,lion of Christian art through it will do for that member, but all that are needed, unless you architecture, for instance. Such because it will make possible a want each to rest on a green a book as Daniel Fleming's "The breadth and variety to your spe- leaf. Consult a Dennison or Heritage of Beauty," gives much cial meetings, exhibits and what party-favor shop for directions worth considering both for In- not, which artificial last-minute for making these, or take a good dia and for other lands, while assignment will never secure. look at a picture of a water lily one chapter in "Craftsmen All" and design your own petals. by Edward Shillito has the fas- India is as wide in its appeal Shape and baste them together cinating story of Bezalel, master- as is humanity. Behind and with thread in the middle, and craftsman of Ceylon who is ex- under and beside our study of then dip the whole flower in parpressing Christian idealism in India's need of Christ, is our affin. They will float in little understanding of India herself. bowls of water if you want to terms of ancient Singalese art. add that touch. Favors for a Luncheon For those to whom biography Atmosphere for a Visiting appeals there is no more inter- Tiny doll-sized clothespins Missionary esting study than that of the make dainty f a v 0 r s when emerging figures of outstanding dressed in Indian saris made of If you are to have a visiting nationals. To become acquainted crepe paper in pastel shades. missionary from India there is with some of these leaders of You will find that with pins and a greal deal you can do to pro- India, both Christian and non- paste it takes but a few moments vide the atmosphere in which Christian, is well worth while. to have a dainty little lady to her message will be most effec- The study books on India this stand at each plate. For those tive. To fail to do so is to hamyear give glimpses of them. Any of you who have not better direc- per her and to lose a great deal woman, or man, for that matter, tions, a sari is draped from one which you cannot later regain. used to preparing a paper on long piece of material, whose any subject, will not find it hard width is the length of the figure Here are some ways in which to search out the references to from waist to floor. Bring it atmosphere has been provided a half dozen interesting leaders around, forming a skirt and then by various groups: and give a somewhat more co- across the chest from under the herent account of one or more right arm, to over the left shoul- A returned missionary from of them than the rest of the der, and thence over the head India was invited to a dinner group will have gained by desul- and down over the right shoul- meeting. She was asked to tory reading. der. It is effect and not exact- bring her costume and her ness which is wanted. curios. She was met at the sta- There will surely be those in- tion and taken to the home of terested in dramatics who will Another much-appreciated fa- one of the members where she want to give a play on India. vor is a tied-and-dyed napkin. might dress in comfort and also These make the table very color- rest for a while before meeting There are plays available, from ful and are characteristic of a the group. She was then driven, the long pageantic presentations well-known Indian craft. To in comfortable time for the to the little dramatizations make them, take a square of meeting, to the church. Others which hardly suggest more than cheap muslin the size of the nap- were arriving. a mood. There are children's kin you want. Do not hem it. plays and young people's plays. Wash the size out of it. Then At the door they were met by Perhaps a group of only two or pick it up by its center and tie a young ladies in the costume of string firmly around the point India. Happy surprise for the three might sponsor a children's thus formed. Dip into dye, such missionary! So they had cared play. Perhaps a group of young as yellow. Then tie again tightly, enough to go to all that trouble! people might adapt a play and every two inches and dip into Right then and there the misproduce it with marionettes. deep blue dye. This will give sionary was able to enact the you a napkin with its center forms of polite greeting which A musically inclined trio white, a field of green and rings would be exchanged between might round up the music from of yellow blending into it. If hostess and guest in India. The India which will be found in you want the center blue, untie ice, if there was any, was broken. various program materials this the first string before dipping into the second dye. Tying in Informal introductions folyear. Real Indian music, accom- several places at once, will pro- lowed in a room decorated with panied by a tom-tom, would en- duce rings around each tie. Ex- maps of India, a lovely picture liven many a program. Some of periment with this, for many of the Taj Mahal, palms and the deeply religious lyrics of the designs can be made. ferns. A few moments of con- Indian church are given in metri- versation followed. cal translation in some of the Tiny lotus-blossoms for each materials issued this year and place and larger ones for the The tables in the dining room could form part of a devotional centerpiece make a very effec- were another surprise. Each or of a special program. tive table; and the tiny ones are one was decorated in some way symbolic of India. The speak- Wherever a member of the er's table was especially set up missionary society has a special interest or hobby, it can and
with little scenes from that land. the meeting in time to meet the put on by various churches here The food was Indian, too. hostess and be in the receiving and there over the country dur- line, which was planned so that ing the past few years. One of Conversation about food and each woman might meet her be- the most successful methods cooking and about taboos re- fore she spoke. seems to be that of a study covgarding eating led to animated ering, rather spasmodically, a conversation about the caste sys- Here again the effort put on period of some six months, cultem and the place of the Indian the occasion gave the members minating in an exhibit and prowoman in the home. The only a glow of pride. The missionary drawback was that the speaker felt inspired to do her best for gram on India which lasts from was not at every table. had they not had enough confi- one to three days. dence in her to make her coming Finally, without other speeches a special occasion for others be- Let us mention some of the or business, the guest was in- side themselves? There was elements which enter into such troduced. With what eagerness present that feeling of fellow- an all-church study. she was able to begin, knowing ship through which both speaker from the very atmosphere with and members could give and re- First, there is the serious which she was surrounded that ceive more. study of India by age-groups. here was a group anxious to This does not mean by the mishave her message and willing to But suppose you do not want sionary groups. It means by give themselves in service for a special occasion with invited age-groups such as the men's the cause of missions. guests. Bible class, the Junior depart- There come moments in every There is always the opportu- ment, the Girl Scouts, etc. The speaker's life when she senses nity to be intelligent on the sub- study is often based on one of a fellowship between herself and j ect of India. Why act as if the interdenominational textthose whom she is addressing. your guest speaker was from books, and covers six or more At such times she is at her best. Timbuctoo? Or from the moon? class sessions. You are responsible for the at- There must be in every group mosphere in which a speaker several women who are used to Second, there is a general plan finds herself. It is well worth meeting strangers and able to for an exhibit which will serve while to consider what will best make them feel welcome and at two purposes: (a) to let each create that feeling of fellowship home. Your missionary speaker group share with the rest some in which she can give you her may be a stranger, but you have of its interesting activities; (b) very best and in which you will much in common, if you stop for to present India to those who be in the most receptive mood. ten minutes to think it out. An have not followed the study in atmosphere of intelligent inter- any age-group. As many indi- But perhaps you are not plan- est can be created very easily by ning an occasion on which such asking a few capable hostesses viduals and classes and organizasurroundings will be practical. to make the informal moments tions as possible are interested after the guest's. arrival pleasant in preparing sections of the ex- Another group felt that their ones for her. She is a friend hibit. The preparation involves, guest speaker merited a larger who has been to a far country of course, considerable study as audience than their own small in which you are interested. She missionary society could provide. has been your long-distance well as mere mechanical prep- Their interest showed itself in messenger to its people. Make aration. In this the interests arranging a tea, to which many her feel at home. Make her feel women outside their regular your interest in her and in what and hobbies of members of the circle were invited. The invita- she has been doing. We don't church will naturally come to tions given were so personal and need to give instructions for that the fore, and assignments are so warm and so interesting that here. Every good hostess knows before the day they were assured how. The trouble often is that wisely made with this in mind. of an attendance almost double when a woman comes to missionthat of their usual meeting. ary meeting, she forgets that she Third, there is a program pre- did not leave her responsibilities pared, often by the same groups They agreed to wear their as a hostess within her own as are preparing the exhibit. prettiest afternoon frocks and home. Remember to exert all to have something a bit unusual the charm you have in making This has on it such things as in the form of refreshments. your speaker feel welcome, for demonstration of hospital clinic, They were careful to plan some this is your church home and map talk, dramatization or play, very necessary business so that you are as truly her hostess here it did not take over a few min- as in any other place. costume demonstration, f 0 I k utes. The program itself was song or dance, music of the Inshort. Most of the time was Lead Your Church to Study dian church, movie showing the left, and rightly so, to the India speaker. work of the mission, lantern Many and successful have slides of the same, short talks on In this case, too, the guest was been the all-church India studies various phases of life in India, met, taken to a home where she an address on the work of the could rest comfortably for a short while and then brought to church in India, etc. Since all age groups may have a share in this, a program of interest to the whole community will result.
Careful study, adequate or- ganization, proper publicity and unbounded enthusiasm are the ingredients for success.
i Ou; ~'=========–==='~
M!~r~?:sp':!~:cu~~?Ok .:It EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~I============~~==~~~~==~========~======= INDIA AND BURMA mind and peace of heart that he soon found, was far from holy.
Voluntary Service craved. He found it, but not in He next joined a Hindu hermit the mela observances, nor in his who had been doing penance for Missionaries find unfailing visits to the temples and to the ten years. Still he lacked some- cheer in watching the growth of holy places. He found what he thing, and journeyed on until he a spirit of service in the lives of craved in the acceptance of met a Christian Indian, accom- native Christians. A recent re- Jesus Christ. Since that time he panied him to his home where port from the Khed-Shivapur has remained in Brindaban and several teachers were praying station of the Poona and Indian in a modest Ashram which he together. Glancing at an open Village Mission, says that one of constructed, he has been tire- book he read: "This have I done the outstanding features of re- lessly and intelligently preach- for thee, what doest thou for cent work has been the volun- ing the Gospel to the people who, me?" Perplexed, he asked a tary service rendered by the like himself, visit the city of teacher what this meant, and Christian community. Sunday Krishna in search of heart satis- the explanation showed him the services have been taken by the faction. book was better than all the men, and prayer meetings by This Christian Ashram has shastras and vedas. Some days the women; weekly instruction a strategic location, since the later he was baptized.
classes have also been main- route to the Hindu temple passes -Life and Faith.
tained by voluntary service. it. On the last annual pilgrim- "One Christian widow visits age in November a stream of Christian Women of the Bible-women regularly to pilgrims, 350 long and 6 feet Travancore hear the Bible read," writes wide passed the Ashram. There Miss Bates, "and there have is thus an opportunity to show Dr. E. Stanley Jones has been many heart-to-heart talks pictures, distribute tracts and made a remarkable statement with her. One day, as they sell Gospels. Sometimes the about the Syrian Christians of Hindu pilgrims snatch the Chris- Travancore, following his recent talked of the Lord's second com- visit there. "They are noted," ing, she said, 'Oh, I do want him tian books and tear them in he says, "for the purity of their to find me faithfully witnessing women. Divorce is practically for him when he comes.' pieces, but the sale of Gospels unknown and unfaithfulness the continues to be very encourag- "Another old woman in one of ing. -Baptist Missionary Re- same. The women are educated the villages said: 'For five years and free, yet restrained. If I view (India). were to put my finger on the now I have been trusting in the Lord Jesus: He is the only Sav- place where I thought the best sex relationships are found in iour. I tell the people that it is Peace Found at Last the world, I think I would have no use worshipping any other gods.''' -Indian Witness. A time-honored custom in In- to say among the Syrian Chris- dia is one where religiously-in- tians of Travancore. There is Persecution Not Ended clined young men attach them- practically 100 per cent literacy selves to a Hindu teacher, or of children of school-going age, The days of persecution of guru, and follow him about and 95 per cent of the education- Christians have not entirely wherever he may go. This cus- al institutions outside of Govpassed. This year, some of the tom proves equally effective in ernment are in the hands of the buildings of the Christian Ash- training Christian converts, and Christians. They comprise oneram at Brindaban were destroy- there are many Christian gurus third of the population of Traved, and the head of the institu- with little groups of followers. ancore, and are the most gotion was told that this was only One such guru has among his ahead people of that land." a beginning; that he and the "disciples" John Ramayya, mem- Ashram are to be run out of this ber of a Hindu high caste fam- city, which is sacred to Krishna. ily, who became restless after he The Missionary's Message It was twelve years ago that saw an injured low~caste man an educated young man came and could not help him because Frances N. Ahl, writing in with the pilgrim multitudes to of caste, however great his sym- The Missionary Herald, says Brindaban, seeking in the kumb pathy. As a result he attached that during her visit to India mela of that date the rest of himself to a Hindu guru who, he last year she asked the same [497 ]
question of all the missionaries mote physical culture; (5) to had been about 760,000 acres, she met: "What is your message train Hindu Pracharakas for and in 1935 this area had dropto America?" Here are some of propaganda; (6) to provide fa- ped to 35,978 acres. India's own the answers: "Hold steady," cilities for those who wish to consumption had also dropped, were the words of the first mis- come into the fold of Hindu So- and there was strict control in sionary questioned, explaining ciety. India of the cultivation, producthat the people of America were tion and distribution of opium." so weary with the depression The mission has 118 centers, and church debts that they were each with a supervisor. It is -Baptist Missionary Requestioning whether to continue maintained by an ample govern- view (India). support of foreign missions. But ment grant. No doubt its agthe people of India, she said, gressive campaign is the result A Significant Anniversary have never been so willing to ac- of the widespread movement cept Christianity as now. among the Depressed Classes to July 13 marked the 125th an- break away from Hinduism. niversary of the arrival of Another emphasized the im- -Baptist Missionary Review. Adoniram and Ann Judson in portance of the Anglo-Indian Rangoon, Burma. They were the work, because anyone who is "The Upper Room" first American missionaries to not a Mohammedan, a Hindu or that land. For six years they Parsee is classed in the census An edition of the "Upper labored without winning a sinas a Christian; and a third mis- Room" has been printed in Ro- gle convert, but today, Northern sionary said that we in America man Urdu, the devotional book Baptists have thirty-two mismust remember that the Indian published by the Methodist sion stations among ten racial people have the same desires Church in Nashville, Tennessee. groups. Two Foreign Mission and shortcomings as people in Societies have ninety American the United States. This e d i t ion is going into missionaries there, and 3,051 native workers. The churches StilI another missionary ex- schools, hospitals, churches and number 1,590 and their total plained how within the last fif- homes of all denominations in membership is 137,323. In 1937 teen or twenty years the social the north, west and central por- there were 4,461 baptisms. religion of Christ has permeated tions of India where Urdu is the There are 816 schools with Hinduism and Mohammedanism. prevalent vernacular. Bishop 39,059 pupils. These young peo- Formerly the members of these B. T. Badley, of Bombay, writes: ple are instructed in the Gospel faiths were selfish. They thought of Christ. Five hospitals and only of the individual, the caste The opportunities for Christian fourteen dispensaries ministered or the family. They had no con- work are greater than ever. The to 44,278 patients last year in cern for the other person. But number of secret believers is increas- the name of Christ. A number today they are thinking beyond ing, and we find no difficulty in sell- of Burman Baptists occupy leadself, beyond family and caste. ing Gospel portions and all kinds of ing positions in their country's They are beginning to realize Christian tracts. Among our Chris- government. that whether Mohammedan or tians the need for devotional books, Hindu they are their brothers' such as the "Upper Room," is widely – Watchman-Examiner. keepers. acknowledged. They have so few books in their own languages that the CHINA Kerala Hindu Mission appearance of one is hailed with de- light. Evangelism Among Refugees Future plans of the Christian churches in Travancore must The devotional quarterly has The opportunities for evantake into account the program already been published in Hin- gelistic work in refugee camps of the Kerala Hindu Mission, dustani, and plans are under are unprecedented. Those who managed by a Board made up way for a Korean edition. organize and visit these camps chiefly of retired government find the people hungry to hear officials. Among the objects of – World Outlook. the Gospel; they crowd around the mission are: (1) to encour- the speaker and listen with a age the study of different faiths Opium Reduction new understanding in their with a view to promote religious faces. All other problems fade toleration: (2) to establish Dnyanodaya reports that In- into the background, as the mis- Hindu Young Men's Associa- dian exports of opium to coun- sionary concentrates on just the tions and to encourage the study tries in the Far East has entire- question of presenting the Chrisof Sanskrit, Hindi, Malayalam ly ceased, following the Govern- tian message. It is touching to and Tamil; (3) to elevate the ment's ten-year plan, introduced hear the heartfelt expressions of backward classes and to estab- in 1925, of progressively reduc- gratitude to God for deliverlish schools, prayer houses, col- ing such export. This paper ance, and more impressive stilI onies, dispensaries, etc., for the adds that experts on the opium are their prayers for their Japapurpose; (4) to teach and prac- question repeatedly assert that nese enemies. tice rules of hygiene, combat the opium policy of India's govepidemic diseases, and to pro- ernment is a model for the The English Bulletin for the world. National Committee for Chris- tian Religious Education in In explaining this policy to the 1937 Assembly of the League of Nations, Pandit Narain of India said: "In 1905 the area under poppy cultivation in India
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
China says that the Religious was the greatest academic event distant tropical Chinese village, Education Fellowship is proving ever witnessed in China; it was the missionary found a Chinese very helpful to both the Chinese distinctly international in char- translation of "The Principles and the missionaries. One of the acter, since American, British of Jesus," by Robert E. Speer, workers who lost everything, and Chinese interests are repre- engrossing the woman's entire and with his wife and seven sented in these institutions. attention! small sons walked 500 miles to a place of refuge, wrote to Dr. The principal address was by The Fruits of the Spirit Miao: Dr. W. W. Yen, who appealed for optimism, pointing out that An inqUIrmg reporter in Everlasting spiritual values have China, long weakened by lack of Chengtu sees evidence in the come to us. Our hearts are full of unity, is now being welded in- following incident that the seed praise and thankfulness. Please keep to a strong nation. He urged the of the Gospel is taking root. The the religious education materials com- young graduates to make the government of Chengtu decided ing to me, for while I have lost all of consecration and sacrifice which to get all the beggar children off mme in Nanking I mean to continue their special privilege calls for. the street, so they gathered the work wherever I am. them up, several hundred boys A special fund of $300,000 and not so many girls, put them -The Presbyterian. has been raised to tide thirteen in two temples on opposite sides American-supported colleges in of the city, and gave them a Looking Into the Future China over' the present crisis. mere pittance on which to exist. Not one has completely closed The temple where the boys were Ten selected leaders of the down, and by continuing have was near a mission hospital. va rio us denominations have fulfilled a duty not only to Chi- One of the Chinese nurses heard been visiting China, making a nese youth, but to the future of about them, went to see, and survey of conditions there, pre- Christianity in China. came away determined to do liminary to the forming of some something. policy for missionary work in Madame Chiang Aids the future. Even now the prob- Orphanage She enlisted the help of other lem of relationships between nurses, went there regularly to Japanese Christian bodies. in Mr. and Mrs. Herman N. give medicine and treatment, Japan, Japanese Christians in Becker, in charge of a famine begged clothes for them, taught China, Chinese Christians and orphanage at Chihkiang, Hu- them to clean up, persuaded foreign missionaries in China is nan, send a copy of a letter from friends to organize c I ass e s a baffling one. Pressures are Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, writ- among them, and throughout the more and more pronounced, and ten after she had read Mr. Beck- months has given herself sacri- Christian institutions are envel- er's booklet entitled: "What God ficially to those boys. All of this oped in questions of adjustment, Hath Wrought." She expressed was without prompting from with a good deal of tension and her appreciation of the work be- missionaries. strain. Increasingly pressed up- ing done by missionaries, and the on the churches is the whole stand they have taken during -Christian Advocate. question of Shinto in relation to China's trial by fire. With her the Christian faith, and its com- letter she enclosed her personal Japan and Relief Funds panion problem of support of check for $1,000, to be used in the shrines. A creedal statement any way that Mr. Becker Reports have been circulated is in preparation by a committee thought best. She offered to to the effect that the Japanese of the different denominations. send a further sum to care for military leaders in China have additional orphans which were been using American relief -The Christian Century. being gathered together, saying funds for their own advantage, that she felt sure that these chil- and that they have obstructed Union Commencement dren would have, in this orphan- the work of the relief adminis- Program age, the very best training for trators. A Bulletin of the useful citizenship. Church Committee for China War is not usually considered Relief corrects this impression an ally of educational progress, The Uttermost Parts of China by giving the names of those but because of the present con- who allocate these funds, includflict China took a step toward Off the southern coast of Chi- ing Dr. John E. Baker, Director the long desired union of Chris- na visited by few tourists, and of the Shanghai International tian colleges and universities remote from the main stream of Red Cross, and the American when seven such institutions Chinese life, is the great island Advisory Committee, composed held a joint commencement in of Hainan. On the south shore of businessmen and mission- Shanghai last June. Some 280 of the island, a missionary fol- aries. Not much can be "put men and women received their lowed a local guide through a over" a group like this, men who degrees from Nanking Univer- maze of paths to a little village have had long experience in sity, Ginling College, St. John's where a Christian woman lived. dealing with both Chinese and University, Hangchow College, She was not expecting visitors Japanese, with both national University of Shanghai, Wom- and was absorbed in reading as and provincial governments, an's Christian Medical College they approached. There, in that with civil and military leaders. and Soochow University. This
There have been attempts to Christian life and service alone can by the Christian Advocate as a use relief funds for political pur- furnish the motive and dynamic neces- Japanese bid for the favor of poses. For example, in occupied sary for genuine social betterment. the 10,000,000 Mohammedans of territory where the officials are China. The dignitaries who at- Japanese or Japanese sympa- Rural reconstruction must wait for tended the opening ceremonies, thizers, there have been at- the coming of trained leaders. The personal representatives of the tempts to restrict the distribu- most significant contribution the Premier and various other offition of relief to those who pledge Christian Church can make toward cials seemed to give the event support to the new regime, but the betterment of rural life is to train political signifiance. There are these attempts have been suc- Christian leaders. said to be 1,000 Mohammedans cessfully resisted. in Japan. The complicated conditions of urban New Roads Mean New life increasingly call for cooperative In West China, the proportion Opportunities relations between Christian Churches, of Mohammedans in the popula- and with the constructive forces in tion varies from twenty-five per Rev. J. C. Jensen, Baptist the communities to which they strive cent in Shensi to ninety per cent missionary of Suifu, says that to minister. in Sinkiang and Kokonor. Furthe opening of new roads into thermore the roads over which ~ndo-China has changed the The success of the cooperative war materials and supplies have whole missionary situation in movement also waits for men and been passing from the Soviet much of that area. Fine new women who will give them unselfish Union to the forces of Generalisroads have been built and car- Christian leadership. simo Chiang Kai-shek traverse riers are traversing them by the these provinces. If Japan could thousands to bring in goods that -Presbyterian Tribune. succeed in establishing pro-Japformerly came up the Yangtze anese administrations, tied to River; and to take out local "Pillar of Cloud ~oundation" Tokyo by the bonds of religion, produce that has had no outlet China would be cut off from since the war began. These new Dr. Kagawa's numerous activ- Russia. The puppet government roads offer greater facilities for ities have been incorporated as at Peiping has made a friendly covering the work. "The Pillar of Cloud Founda- gesture toward Mohammendan- tion," the purpose of which is to ism by including white-symbol A remarkable phenomenon is provide an endowment of about of Islam-among the five colors taking place in China in that the $150,000 to relieve the leader of of its flag. leadership element in the oc- some of his literary work and cupied areas, together with mil- place the support of some 200 Farmers' Gospel School lions of refugees, have gone in- workers and their projects on a land as the Chinese army with- permanent basis. There are now Christian groups in rural draws. Thus, a new China is about a dozen centers of work. Japan, during the slack winter being built far inland. It is hoped to increase the en- period, organized "Farmers' dowment of the Fund by gifts Gospel Schools," where young -Watchman-Examiner. in honor of the 30th anniversary men spent several days in inten- of the beginning of Kagawa's sive study and conference on JAPAN-OHOSEN work in Kobe in 1909. Dr. Ka- farming methods, rural recon- gawa is continuing to write, struction and Bible study. A Ohristian Social Work preach and promote various co- young missionary and his Jap- operative projects, in spite of ill anese associates who conducted It is unquestioned that Chris- health. the first of such schools have retian missions were the pioneers -Japan Christian Quarterly. ceived many letters of appreciaof social welfare work, for most tion from the young men who of the early projects were Independent Ohurches were thus helped. One wrote: launched by the Christians. Of "Before the conference I thought the 4,000 welfare institutions There are said to be about six- of nothing but to get away from conducted under private or re- ty Christian churches in Japan the deadly monotony of country ligious auspices in Japan today, independent of any mission or life and get into a city. It is approximately 275 are run by denomination. Under the lead- impossible to say how valuable Christian organizations. ership of Mr. K. Takemoto and these three days were to me. I Mr. H. Shirato, 22 of them have was taught true rural recon- Last June, the National Chris- decided to unite on the basis of struction, and the principles of tian Council's Commission of So- loyalty to the Imperial Family, Jesus Christ." cial Welfare convened in Tokyo, respect for the national constiand centered its study around tution and laws, political and -Monday Morning. the problem of social betterment, economic independence from forpresent and future. Some of the eign missions in the propagation Japan's Opium Monopoly questions that received emphasis of the Gospel, and unity in were: Christ with mutual respect for Skepticism has been expressed each other's faith and non-inter- concerning Muriel Lester's re- Christianity must more and more ference in dogma and organiza- port on Japan's systematic cultiaggressi.vell g~r into every :phase of tion. the natIOn s hfe and as a spiritual -Japan Christian Quarterly. dynamic fulfill its social mission. Tokyo's Moslem Mosque Redemptive love incarnated in The opening of a Moslem mosque in Tokyo is interpreted
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
vation of the narcotic trade in Dr. Jaffray, a missionary of was able to change the whole connection with their war of the Christian and Missionary situation, and in less than ten conquest. Alliance, is not allowed to pub- years after the death of Wil- lish his pictures of these newly liams the entire Bible had been According to the Japan Chronicle, discovered regions. translated. During the past hun- British-owned, of Kobe, a recent dred years there has been no Manchukuo government report put New Guinea Plane Service retrogression. Cannibalism and out by the foreign office at Hsinking idolatry have long since disapshows that the annual sales of opium An interesting development in peared; churches are to be by the government monopoly have missionary enterprise is seen in found in all the villages of the mounted in this fashion since the the establishment at Finschafen, Cook Islands, arid practically all monopoly was established in 1932: New Guinea, headquarters of the the evangelistic enterprise is in Lutheran Mission, of an air- the hands of native pastors who 1933. . . . . . . . .. 5,511,033 yen plane, which is to be used in are remarkable for their devo- 1934 ………. 14,372,726 " maintaining communication be- tion and trustworthiness. 1935 ………. 28,230,347 " tween the different Lutheran 1936 ………. 38,667,556 " stations. The plane, which is in The high standard of Chris- 1937 ………. 47,850,000 " charge of Pilot Garms and Me- tian living of these islanders chanic Paul Rabe, has already might well be an example to the Bootleg sales, admitted in the made a number of flights be- rest of the world. They rise earpamphlet as going on, are not tween Finschafen and Lae. ly for a devotional period. Three included in this report. It is times a week they meet at dawn stated that profits are to be de- -Pacific Islands Monthly. for worship. On the Sabbath voted to the care of addicts, there are five services, all of though medical care is not as yet The Radio Helps Missions which are well attended. Among provided, and plans for hospital the male membership there is construction are merely in the Wireless sending and receiv- an unwritten condition that they blue print stage. ing sets have saved much ex- shall be willing to conduct a pense in carrying on the work in service and preach whenever ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Papua and North Australia, and called upon to do so. have given the people a sense of The Gospel for New Guinea fellowship with the rest of the One of the most serious prob- world. In time of crisis, it is a lems now is that of helping these Rev. R. A. Jaffray is planning comfortable feeling to know that Christians adjust themselves to to open new work in Dutch New help can be had. Rev. J. R. An- changed conditions. No longer Guinea. The Evangelical Chris- drew writes in the Australia isolated, they are introduced to tian gives the location of these Missionary Review: the vices of civilization, as well new fields: as its benefits. As one means of The Bi-Centenary Convention we combating evil influences, a 1. The Amaroe Lake district, had purposed holding in Salamo, had Boys' Brigade was formed in northern New Guinea, a region to be cancelled on account of an epi- 1935; its membership has 'now known by the Dutch as "Bird's demic of whooping-cough there, and reached 300. Refresher courses Head," the lake forming the eye the danger of sending the infection at the Pastors' Institute last of the bird. A garrison of 100 out in all directions. Dysentery has year resulted in a campaign native soldiers and three Dutch also appeared at many places in other which brought 250 new conofficers with their wives are now parts of the Territory, and some verts. Since the population stationed there. The Papuan deaths have occurred. The Govern- numbers about 5,000, many of population around the lake is ment Medical Officer at Samarai, Dr. them already Christian, this estimated at 5,000, and in the Hopkins, broadcast a talk on treat- represents a significant advance. whole district are various tribes ment and prevention, which I was numbering from 15,000 to 20,- able to take down, and Mr. Dixon -The Christian. 000. Already, 1,000 coolies have translated and printed it. Radio has been employed by joint com- been much used for advice and treat- New Church in Fiji panies to drill for oil-a parish ment in this epidemic, and natives in itself. are cooperating in measures against Here is the way a new church the spread of the disease. is dedicated in the Fijis. At 2. The Island of Misool, south- Lovoni, where the past sixty west of northern New Guinea. Cannibals Become Evangelists years have wrought almost un- This has an estimated popula- believable change among the tion of 3,000; two-thirds pagan There could be no greater tes- wild, warrior cannibals, a new and the rest nominal Moslems. timony to the power of the Gos- church was opened this year. Dr. Jaffray thinks this is the pel than a race of cannibals, un- The same old drum that called devil's own island. der its transforming influence, the forefathers to cannibal or- becoming evangelists. Such has gies sounded a call to prayer and 3. The Wissel Lakes district, been the case in the Cook Is- thankfulness. First there was a newly discovered, along the lands. It is 100 years since John feast-a whole bullock, several southwest coast of New Guinea, Williams, commissioned by the pigs, fowls, piles of bread, yams, with a population of some 20,000 London Missionary Society, met etc., were presented, and the old friendly Papuans. They are a death on Erromanga at the primitive people, still living in hands of cannibal savages. But the Stone Age, uncivilized but a Tahitian whom he had trained by no means stupid.
white-haired native preacher of parents make written request, In the same year, congrega- kneeling on the grass gave and if someone not employed by tional expenses increased 18 per thanks to God for the wonders the government does the teach- cent; this points to more stewdone. At the door of the church, ing. ardship and cooperation in pro- built by boys trained in the mis- Undoubtedly, the most impor- moting Christian advance, since sion school, voices were lifted in tant achievement American oc- expenditures provide the facilisong and entrance made in the cupation of the Philippines has ties for such advance. Evidence name of the Father, Son and to its credit is the establishment of more stewardship is seen in Holy Spirit. A mighty volume of a system of free education an 11 per cent increase in benevof song then arose from the 300 and religious liberty. Now that olence contributions. outside; then came the collec- American control is in process tions which began at 9: 30 p. m. of being lifted, both these blessand lasted until 4 a. m. The Religion and Economics chief, standing in front of the ings are endangered. The fact pUlpit held an enamel dish and that only a presidential veto pre- Three years ago the magazine called the name of a village. The vented the placing of a priest in Fortune announced its first quarpeople of that village then every Philippine school fore- terly Survey of public opinion, casts an early renewal of the marched up one by one and de- struggle. and a confirmation of its find- ings has given it a measure of posited a penny in the dish, -Christian Century. authority. Recently, it has been sampling opinion in the United while the choir sang lustily. States as to what the world most This march up the aisle is NORTH AMERIOA needs today – more religion or keenly enjoyed, shillings being Marks of Progress greater economic security, and changed into pennies beforehand in order to lengthen the cere- Today, when the Church of gives the result in the August mony. The last hymns of praise Christ is being put to one of the number. were sung just as the sun rose most crucial tests in its history, The forces of religion, both over the mountain. the Lutheran Council points out Christian and embattled Jewish, -Missionary Review two notable features of the 1937 have apparently been drawn (Australia) . statistics which furnish cause more closely together recently for encouragement. They are than they have been in many Religious Liberty in the the increase in the number of years, in defense of freedom of Philippines communicant members and the conscience and in presenting a Although President Quezon increase in general expenditures, spiritual front to the economic including benevolences. While and Vice-President Osmena are it is difficult to measure progress and political world crisis. It is members of the Catholic Church, by figures alone, statistics may both look with strong disfavor at least indicate the possibilities. noted also that baccalaureate adon the determined efforts of the Roman hierarchy to regain con- From 1936 to 1937, communi- dresses last June gave more than trol of the government of the' cant members in the Lutheran Philippines. A bill recently Churches of America increased usual stress to the world's need passed by the assembly provid- five per cent. The number of for a more religious view of our present problems. Here is the way the answers stack up in the questionnaire: ing for compulsory religious in- 20 to Over struction in all public schools Men Women 40 Years 40 was seen as a preliminary move Total to restore Roman Catholic domi- 51.00/0 35.2% 46.9% 39.3% Greater economic security for 28.8 44.3 31.9 41.1 the people of all nations 43.1 % More religion …………. 36.5 nation of the state. It was op- Combination of economic se- 4.1 posed by the vice-president and by a former assistant director of curity and religion …… 3.5 3.0 3.4 3.7 education, as well as by Protestant groups, all of whom at- Other* ………………. 5.3 5.9 4.6 5.3 5.3 Don't know. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.6 11.3 11.8 12.5 10.6 * "Other" includes "peace,''' "education," "honesty," "better government and leaders," etc.
tacked it as undemocratic, un- congregations decreased slightly, Church officers and women constitutional and unpatriotic; but the pastors increased by 159, cleave to religion, as do farmers, but for the veto of President Quezon the bill would have be- which may indicate less duplica- the people of the Southeast and come law. He based his veto on tion and greater efficiency. The the Negroes. Compare the anhis belief that the law would be unconstitutional. number of church schools in- swers by religious affiliation: Optional religious instruction All ROm4n Jewish None in the Philippine public schools Protestants Catholics is now provided for by the con- 69.6% 51.4% More economic security 39.4% 48.3% lOA 23.5 32.6 20.0 25.1 More religion ……………. 40.8 19.1 Other answers and don't know 19.8 stitution. The present law directs that public school rooms creased seven per cent, although It should be noted that in the may be used for religious in- proportionate increase of teach- great cities economic insecurity is more obvious and terrifying struction if a sufficient number ers and pupils was smaller.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
than in the country; and that law was defeated; in Indiana a ing its activities with such effi- the Jews who are being so ruth- bill to open the saloons on Sun- ciency that it is confidently ex- lessly despoiled of their posses- day was killed by a vote of three pected that the number of cities sions and means of livelihood, to one; and in several other which will observe the day this look to religion even less than states attempts to bring in com- fall will exceed 1,317, the num- those who acknowledge no mercialized sports and amuse- ber participating last year.
church connection. ments and other business were frustrated. The Lord's Day Al- Women and Religion Work Among Students liance has been largely instru- Speaking of surveys, here is mental in getting these results. another. The Ladies Home Jour- One of the recommendations nal has been trying to find out made at Montreat in July by the – Watchman-Examiner.
Southern Presbyterian Educa- Stewar~ship Convention what women think on a variety tional Association was that in of subjects, and in June the sub- every Synod a Presbyterian Stu- The National Committee for ject of inquiry was religion. In dents' Association be organized. Religion and Welfare Recovery the matter of belief in the exist- It would be composed of all announces a national Steward- ence of God and immortality, Presbyterian students in all ship Convention to be held in 91 per cent gave an affirmative recognized institutions of higher Chicago, November 1-3, as a answer. As to prayer, 95 per learning within the bounds of part of a national movement in cent of the Protestant and 96 the Synod. The purposes of this the interests of all religious, per cent of the Catholic women organization are set forth in de- educational, medical, scientific, affirmed their belief in it; while tail as follows: character-building and welfare among non-church women the To lead students to know and follow institutions. percentage was 78. As to church Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour The secretary of the National membership, 76 per cent were and Lord. Committee gives two maj or ob- members of some church, but To keep them in vital touch with jectives of the cooperative edu- only 47 per cent were regular the life, worship and service of the cational program: First, a call attendants at public worship. local (college) church, and through it to worship, having as an ideal: Interest in religion seemed to be with the whole Church. To train them in Christian work "every citizen in a house of wor- at its lowest ebb on the Pacific and cooperative service to their own Coast, with the Mid-West a close ship every week"; and second, second. In the South, devotion generation. to organized religion is highest. To help the students make a larger every citizen a steward of life and money for the welfare of contribution to the Christian atmos- phere and life of the college, the mankind. church and the community. -Christian Advocate. All Black To keep them informed as to the entire program of the Church. Men and Missions Sunday No jail and no major crime III To hold intercollegiate conferences 13 years in a town of 8,000 is This year's observance of Men front-page news. This is the within the bounds of the Synod to be- and Missions Sunday, November record of the self-governed allcome better acquainted with each 13, promises to receive more Negro town of Mound Bayou, other and develop the bonds of Chris- wide-spread attention than in Miss., and a writer in the Southtian unity; to consider and act upon any year since the day was in- ern Workman reports an intercommon problems, and strengthen and stituted in 1931. It is now spon- view with Ben Green, Mayor, encourage one another in Christian sored by Dr. Arthur H. Comp- who explains the modus operfaith and in work for Christ and His ton, noted physicist; Francis B. andi. Says Mayor Green: Church in the colleges. Sayre, assistant Secretary of State; Charles P. Taft of Cincin- We try to find out what is behind A second recommendation nati and other well-known lay- any piece of wrong-doing. We have made by the Educational Asso- men. The theme for this year is discovered that certain families exciation was that each Synod ap- "Building a Christian World ploit their children in the cotton-pickpoint a Committee on Student Community." ing season. If a father takes all his Work. This committee would be boy's earnings away from him, one of charged with the promotion and "Nations are caught between two things is likely to happen. Either direction of Presbyterian stu- two profoundly conflicting ways that boy will begin to steal to get dent work among all the institu- of life," says Mr. ~ayre; "on the spending money, or he will run away tions of higher learning in and one hand, the primal law of from home. We're stopping that. of the Synod. tooth and fang and on the other, the way of cooperation and mor- But the most important fact is that -Christian Observer. the Negro is living in complete self- respect-a normal life. Fundamental Preserving the Sabbath human impulses, helpfulness, coopera- In the 43 state legislatures in al restraint and human brother- tion, good will and the desire to live at peace with their neighbors find opsession in 1937, proposed laws hood. It is high time that fol- portunity for expression. adverse to preserving the Sab- lowers of Christ awake to hubath were defeated more than manity's need, and go valiantly Mound Bayou was founded twenty times. In New York forth to win the world for fifty years ago by a remarkable Negro, Isaiah T. Montgomery, State five such bills went down Christ." to defeat; in Iowa a bill to Dr. Compton, General Chair- who had been a body servant to amend broadly the State Sunday man of the movement, is direct- Jefferson Davis, who had a keen
understanding of the Negro. To- Mexico; Presbyterian, Meth- he might ride into the city with me. day the community covers 30,000 odist, Disciples, Baptist, Con- I gladly assented and as we drove acres, farmed to cotton and corn. gregation and so forth, entirely along he turned to me and said: A larger proportion of these independent of their respective "Senor, I want to tell you that for two people own their own land and churches in the United States. years I have longed and longed to hear there are fewer mortgages than They are carrying on an exten- the message which you gave us today. in the average community of sive program covering the ordi- Two years ago on the highway you mixed whites and Negroes in the nary activities of the church. gave me a Gospel portion, and I read South. The town has a $115,000 But there are a great number of it with deep interest and desired to consolidated school, with 800 "extraordinary" activities en- know more, but you did not return. pupils, 15 teachers and a Tus- gaged in by Christian forces of Day after day I looked for you, and kegee graduate as principal. Mexico, supplementing the reg- then we were withdrawn from the ular work of the church and highway and transferred to another One Way of Widening the meeting the needs of the present state. Later I was changed to this Horizon situation. regiment and we came to the district, and now at last, I have heard the mes- At the Third National Rural Mr. Reifsnyder lists a number sage!" … About six weeks ago, I Home Conference in Manhattan, of things the visitor to Mexico made a trip to Laredo, visiting all the Kansas, Mrs. Charles Schuttler might see: an increasing num- camps on the international highway. said in an address: ber of religious discussion I found the soldiers eager to have the groups among students; and the literature. On the return trip we A few weeks ago, I had occasion to distribution of Christian tracts spoke to all the camps and had the joy stop at a cabin in our Ozark hills, among students; weekly revival of seeing 49 men accept Christ. So in a community where living con- services in the national peniten- anxious were the men to buy New ditions were definitely primitive. I tiary in Mexico City; cradle roll Testaments and Bibles that our supply entered into conversation with an old classes in the Sunday schools; was exhausted when we were only woman in the home, and quite by evangelistic meetings three or about two-thirds of the way home. chance mentioned the situation in four times a week; Bible Insti- China. There followed one of the tutes and Conferences on Sun- In five years we have seen almost most amazing half-hours of my life. day school methods, young peo- forty regiments reached with the This little old woman, miles away ple's and lay workers' confer- Word of God, hundreds of soldiers from a town, evidently having had ences. turned to Christ and more than 2,000 only very little education, knew more Testaments and Bibles placed in the about China-its geography, its gov- Or perhaps the visitor might hands of these men. ernment, factors influencing its eco- sit in at a meeting of a young nomic conditions, its relationships people's club, run in connection Oonditions in Haiti with our own country, etc., than any with one of the churches, or be other person with whom I have had invited to attend a young peo- A British missionary staoccasion to discuss the subject. ple's Christian camp. If he is tioned in Jamaica gives a brief willing to go into the slums he survey of the religious situation How did it happen that her horizon might see the Mexican version in Haiti, the French-speaking had been widened to include a country of the Salvation Army; and al- Negro republic in the West Inbeyond the seas, of which the average most anywhere, if he is observ- dies. Until recently it has largecitizen knows but little? The answer ant and knows Spanish, he ly been bound by demon-woris that our missionary societies last might hear a Christian explain- ship, but now, says this missionyear made a special study of China ing the Gospel to his companion ary, a wave of evangelism is missions; she became interested and -on a bus, a sidewalk, in a shop sweeping the land, and there is through papers and books and the or in a school patio. Then, when a definite trend toward Protesradio-the one modern touch in her he has visited a mission hospital, tantism. Day after day two mountain cabin-she had pursued the he might accompany a district missionaries from Jamaica held subject for months. Weare not ac- nurse on her circuit of rural meetings as they journeyed customed to thinking of missionary areas, or go with a Christian through the country from north societies as important factors in wid- doctor to the mountains. to south. Mornings and afterening horizons, but as you see, they noons were devoted to talks to may well be. Evangelizing Mexico's Christians, and in the evenings Soldiers great crowds, even up to 2,000 LATIN AMERIOA in some places, gathered to hear Soldiers are usually consid- the Gospel. The great need is The Ohallenge of Mexico ered callous and indifferent, but for workers to teach the con- Captain Norman W. Taylor who verts, and send them out to wit- Rev. Bancroft Reifsnyder, is working among the Mexican ness among the masses. who has had opportunity to ob- soldiers has proof to challenge serve conditions in Mexico, says this belief. In the Moody Month- -Life of Faith. that many Americans remark: ly he writes: "Well, you really can't do any Mapuche Indians in Ohile religious work in Mexico today, The day before yesterday I was can you?" His reply is that speaking to a group of soldiers and, Mr. William M. Strong, of the while there are indeed restric- at the close, nine of them accepted Soldiers' Gospel Mission in tions, there was never greater Christ. One of these men asked if South America, tells of the Gosopportuni,ty for Christian serv- pel's influence upon the Maice in Mexico than there is to- puches, who once occupied all of day, and the Church is meeting southern Chile and part of Arthe need. There are a number of gentina. They have been so destrong national churches in pleted by wars, drunkenness and
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
disease that they can now all Christian Association. A writer In order to obey its divine live within a sixty-mile radius. in The Christian tells an inter- vocation, it preaches to this sin- Most of them live in extreme esting story of postal evangel- ful world the Gospel of repent- poverty in most primitive fash- ism among the farmers of Eng- ance and of forgiveness, of the ion, though within a stone's land. It began nearly four years new birth of holiness and of the throw of modern farms and up- ago when Rev. J. C. Williams of eternal life.
to-date cities. Alcohol is still a the Free Church, who earned his -The Presbyterian. great cause of their troubles. first money weeding turnips on French Bible Mission For forty years, the South a farm, was storm bound at a American Missionary Society of farmhouse in Kent. While wait- The French Bible Mission re- England has been at work ing for the rain to cease he cently made a special effort to among them, with boarding found that the farmer was reach the 70,000 inhabitants of schools, and out-stations reg- ignorant of God's plan of re- Colombes. Two hundred posters ularly visited from a main cen- demption. Upon reaching home were displayed, and 13,000 ter. One is tempted to wonder Mr. Williams wrote the farmer handbills were distributed by whether any results are possible explaining the Way of Life and members of the Mission, workamong people in such a hopeless in reply the farmer asked that ing in pairs. At the meetings plight, repeated incidents show the same message be sent to a about 25 persons decided for what dynamite there is in the neighbor. The idea of postal Christ, and 150 New Testastory of Christ on the Cross. On evangelism among farmers was ments, supplied by the Scripture trips about the country, more born; a list of farmers was com- Gift Mission, were given to perand more districts have been piled, and to each letters were sons who had never seen a copy found hungry for the Gospel sent. A printed folder, the before. and more calls for meetings are Plough and Sickle, is now disreceived than the workers can tributed at 13,000 farm homes At Rue de Sevres, near Paris, fill. Once their suspicions are as often as funds permit. A where the Mission is responsible allayed, the Mapuches are found movement, to be known as the for a small church, four special to be a lovable people, with "Fellowship of Christian Farm- meetings were held recently. many noble traits. ers," is about to be formed so Eight persons decided for that the work may have a back- Christ, and fifty New Testa- The Indians of Peru ground of praying men and ments were given away. No col- women. lections were taken at any of the In Peru, the setting up of a meetings, all the expenses being Bureau of Indian Affairs indi- Another Reformation in covered by gifts of the members. cates a change of attitude on the France part of the Government toward Bible Reading Revived in the problem of the Indians, who The Reformed Church of Spain comprise about half the popula- France has experienced another tion. Missions among them have reformation. It has recently Visitors to the Barcelona been most encouraging both in affirmed the perpetuity of the Book Fair last June saw the the mining regions in the cen- Christian faith through its suc- Bible on display and special atter, and in the agricultural parts cessive expressions, in the Apos- tention drawn to it as "the first to the south. Bi-lingual Indians tolic Creed and the confessions essential book for your library." have been the principal evan- of faith of the Reformation During the Fair in 1937, 205 gelists. One missionary reports period, notably the confession of Bibles, 65 Testaments and nearthat in five years, ten churches, La Rochelle. It finds its source ly 200 separate books were sold with a membership of over 500, in the central revelation of the in three days. The promise that came into existence in spite of Gospels: "God so loved the Bible distribution would not be world that He gave His only be- hindered during the civil war opposition from the Whites. For some years the 2,000 gotten Son, that whosoever has been kept. Twenty thousand Mennonites, occupying a colony should believe in him should not copies of the Gospels have been in the Chaco, Paraguay, have perish, but have everlasting distributed in Castile and 10,000 interested themselves in the life." With its saints and mar- in Catalonia, still Loyalist spiritual welfare of their Indian tyrs, with all the churches born strongholds. The British and neighbors, and have a deep con- of the Reformation, it affirms Foreign Bible Society gives cern for evangelizing them. The the sovereign authority of Holy three reasons for the increased general atmosphere is favorable Scripture as the inner witness interest shown in buying and of the Holy Spirit who founded reading the Bible in Loyalist to the spread of the Gospel. -Missionary Educator. it, and recognizes in it the rule Spain: the government's toler- of faith and of life. It proclaims ance of all religious work that is in the face of the fall of man, not soiled by connection with EUROPE salvation by grace, by means of politics, the fact that such lib- faith in Jesus Christ, the only erty is practically new, and the Postal Evangelism Among Son of God, who was betrayed spread of education among the Farmers The March Review contained for our sins and who rose from masses. -The Christian Advocate. an article about the Post Office the dead for our justification.
Nazi's Revised Bible ficial lives of the missionaries, still has 30,000 churches, called P r inc e Oscar Bernadotte, for stronger anti-religious prop- In Germany, the extreme younger brother of King Gustav aganda, saying: "We must re- "Leftists," led by the late Gen- V of Sweden, decided to devote member that religion is an ineral Ludendorff, would like to his life to soul-winning. His strument of opposition . . . The scrap everything Christian and wife is a consecrated Christian, Cross, the Bible and the Koran substitute Teutonic paganism. and since she is not of royal are serving as a mask for spies Extreme "Rightists"-Evangel- family, the prince and his de- and terrorists." Presiding at ical Lutherans-hold to the scendants are not in line for the a Moscow conference of the Protestant faith of the Reforma- throne. His children, all counts League of Militant Godless, Emtion. The center group, repre- and countesses, have followed ilian Yaroslavsky charged that sented by former Reichsbishop in the steps of their parents in in recent elections "enemies of Muller and his colleagues, have Christian service. Forty years the people tried to influence written their own version of the ago, the prince and his wife superstitious, religious elements New Testament, and a group of visited the Keswick Convention with a whispering campaign. Friends in Europe have issued a in England, and he has intro- Wherever there are churches," pamphlet with parts of the Nazi duced in Sweden similar meet- he added, "there are Christian version printed in parallel col- ings for the deepening of spirit- believers." umns with the King James ver- ual life. sion. All idea of sin, except as AFRICA it may interfere with Nazi ideas, Sunday Schools in Finland has been removed from the new Ban on Christian Propaganda Germans' thinking. Grace has In Finland the centennial of been omitted entirely; everlast- the establishment of the Sunday Such is the heading of an aring life is changed to "real" life. school was observed in 1932, but ticle in an English daily pub- There is no longer any "Heav- since that time it has been lished in Cairo on June 25. It is en." The "Golden Rule" has learned from some old congrega- a call to prayer that a proposed been rewritten so that it applies tional records that the Sunday bill, depriving children of a only between Nazis. Galilee is school in F'inland was first knowledge of Christ as Saviour, claimed to have been inhabited, started in 1700, three-quarters may not become law. The folat the time of Christ, by Aryans of a century before Robert lowing is a translation of the who were violently anti-Jewish. Raikes organized the movement bill: It seems strange that such a per- in England. Today there are version of the Bible should occur 25,000 Sunday school teachers Article 1. Missionary propaganda in Germany, the home of Luther in Finland who attend a teach- to youths of both sexes under the age and the Reformation, where the ers' training school for a week of sixteen, aiming at their conversion Scriptures were proclaimed as or ten days each year, and in by preaching, inducement,' by making of supreme authority. Sweden 375,000 of a possible comparisons between two faiths or by 727,000 children regularly at- allowing them to join in prayers or -The Living Church. tend the ~unday schools. It take part in religious ceremonies other must be remembered that in ad- than those of their own creed or that German Missions Hampered dition to this training they reg- of their parents, or by the employ- ularly receive religious instruc- ment of any other means intended for Since the War, Germany's tion in the public schools. In their conversion, is forbidden. foreign missions have suffered Norway there are 2,789 Sunrestriction, both in personnel day schools, 183,022 pupils, and Article 2. Any infringement of this and finances, but some progress 11,315 teachers; and although law is punishable by imprisonment for had been made. New difficulties attendance at the public schools one year or a nne of L.E. 100. have now arisen. In the Sunday has decreased by 15,000 during School Times we read: the past decade, Sunday school Article 3. In the event of a second attendance has increased by offence, the term of imprisonment be- The German Government has 20,000. comes 5 years, and the fine is raised strictly forbidden the export of cap- to L.E. 1,000. ital. German Protestant missions re- Anti-Religion in Russia quire RM. 225,000 monthly for their -Blessed Be Egypt. work abroad, but have never been able Newsweek publishes two fresh to obtain permission to send the whole indications that, for political Governor Honors Mission amount. .. . The government draws reasons, the Russian Govern- Schools the cords ever tighter, checks solicita- ment is abandoning its guartion for mission work, and forbids antees of religious freedom. The The Governor of Assiut Provasking for contributions from new newspaper Godless has been re- ince, Egypt, addressed an aupersons. This is bringing German vived and the "Godless League" dience of 2,000, assembled for missions into great and growing diffi- has begun a sustained member- the graduation exercises of the culty. ship drive. United Presbyterian Assiut Col- lege. It is the second time he Prince Evangelist of Sweden The Army newspaper, Red has made the commencement ad- Star, noting that Soviet Russia dress for this school, and again After a visit to a Swedish he emphasized his approval of mission station in Massaua, Christian educational efforts. Africa, where he noted the sacri- Among other things he said: "Wherever these missions have gone they have become angels of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mercy and examples of perfect eral missionary enterprises in "Have you ever run away?" fulfilment of duty. . . . For central Africa, and since the "Does your husband flog you?" more than 70 years the Amer- War the number has increased "What did your husband pay for ican Mission has persevered in until no fewer than 40 societies you?" diligently educating our young are engaged in evangelizing the "If he did not buy you, did you run people. Many who have rendered Congo BeIge. The missionary off with him?" services to the country have force numbers 1,200. There is a "Would you be willing to marry my been graduated from this insti- living church membership of a husband?" tution. It has also prepared a quarter of a million and a Chris- One man was heard to remark that great number of girls for ful- tian community of a million, God allowed the white man only one filling their natural office of with tens of thousands under wife. Another offered the missionary motherhood and homemaking. Christian teaching. an ivory as big as his body if he would This effort furnishes the main sell him his wife! cause for the high standing of From the beginning, the variknowledge and character which ous societies were drawn to- Noway was then known to is evident in Assiut." gether by their hardships. They feed orphaned babies, so they shared their experiences, and died. -United Presbyterian. largely shaped their work on similar lines so that they became One healthy woman stood The Kabyle People pioneers in cooperation, and looking at a baby dying from when the World Missionary starvation; at one breast was Fifty years ago the Kabyle Conference was held in 1910 the her baby nursing, at the other a Congo Continuation Committee baby monkey. She was asked to people of Algeria heard the Gos- was the first of its kind to be give up the monkey and take the formed as an outcome of that starving baby, but refused bepel for the first time. In the face gathering. This developed later cause of her fear that a dead of indifference and bitter oppo- into the Congo Protestant Coun- woman's baby would kill the cil, with a representative mem- child of a living woman. Today, sition missionaries gradually ex- bership. this woman has a granddaugh- ter who teaches a Sunday-school tended their work. In 1936, land Last June the Diamond Jubi- class and leads the women's was secured outside the village lee of missionary achievement in meetings. this area was celebrated at Leoof Eaglefen for a mission cen- poldville, with about 150 mis- Girls now have a say in the ter. Early opposition has disap- sionaries in attendance. The choice of their husband. The proceedings opened with a Na- number of girls in Christian peared; even the sheik is friend- tive Christian Convention which schools is limited only by the lasted for five days. This was number of teachers who can ly, and brings his children for attended by 220 natives, who give their time to training them. medical attention. represented eighteen language There is today opportunity to areas from many parts of the have a four-square life of phys- Every alternate week the mis- colony. Between this conven- ical development, mental develsionaries visit Eaglefen for tion and the conference a pag- opment, respect from the men three days. The people soon eant was presented, almost en- and the grace of God in their tirely by natives, and dealt with hearts. know when they have arrived, mission history, including Stan- ley's journey down the river. Training Teachers in Rhodesia and before long a company of women and girls are gathered at Forty Years in West Africa A movement is under way in Rhodesia for the more thorough the gate, asking for medicine. Mrs. Emily T. Johnston, writ- training of Sunday-school teach- ing in the Drum Call, draws a ers. The plan provides for train- After a Gospel talk they are vivid picture of the changes that ing intensively a group of pros- have been wrought by the mis- pective teachers for six months treated one by one. When the sionary in West Africa in the during the Sunday-school hour. past forty years, especially as At the completion of the course women have gone the men come, regards the position of women. these new teachers are sent out not primarily for medicine, but When the J ohnstons first arrived and another similar group en- at what is now Metet station, rolled in the training class. to hear the Gospel. Remember- the Gospel message went un- Some communities hold training heeded until curiousity was first classes in the town school one ing the days when these men, as satisfied concerning the white evening each week, and many lads, would break the doors, woman. Such questions as these new pupils are being recruited. were asked: Two new Sunday schools are rethrow stones on the roof, tear ported, one being in a women's up whatever the missionaries "How many times have you been police camp, where women are married?" gathered with their children to had planted, this seems marvel- study the Bible.
ous. The work has now ad- -The Presbyterian. vanced from Eaglefen to a village some miles away, where the relative of a convert offered his one-room house, free of charge, to the missionaries for preach- ing services. This man is not yet a professed Christian, but seems not far from the King- dom. -Life of Faith.
Congo Mission Jubilee The seventies of the 19th century saw the beginning of sev-
WESTERN ASIA ber in Asia. The number of mittee would like to accomplish Romanists in Africa has been it in five. This will be the job Radio in Palestine more than doubled in the last 10 of Permanent Director George years, it is stated. Last year Rublee, Washington lawyer. In An extended Gospel service, it was 6,794,951 as against addition to finding countries of in English and Arabic, was 3,202,993 in 1927. settlement for the refugees, he broadcast from St. Paul's must first persuade Germany to Church in Jerusalem last East- The total advance made in all allow them to take out resources. er, and short portions of the districts subject to propaganda Gospel were read by repre- during the last 10 years has been -Newsweek. sentatives of various Oriental from 14,330,629 to 21,143,328. churches. In Egypt, which has Do Men Need Missions? a powerful broadcasting station, -The Living Church. the property of the Government, The Outlook of Missions rereaching all the East, it has been Who Reads Religious Books? minds us that while the missionimpossible thus far to secure ary enterprise needs men, it is any time for the Christian mes- Charles W. Ferguson, asso- equally true that men need missage, although the Koran is read ciate editor of the Readers' sions, and lists a number of readaily. Digest, makes some interesting sons: comments about religious books. "Y" Growth in Turkey He says: 1. It keeps before Christian men the vision and the challenge This year's membership cam- Of all the new books published in of Christ, because the missionpaign of the Istanbul Y. M. C. A. America in 1936, there were more in ary enterprise is the ongoing coincides with the 25th anniver- the class of religion than in any other work of Christ in the world. sary of the founding of that or- save fiction and juveniles. The actual ganization in Turkey. Dr. D. A. number listed as religious was 684, 2. It widens their horizon and Davis started activities on a twice as many as appeared in the field scope of thought in Christianmodest scale before the War. of science and greater than the num- izing their world-view and mak- During hostilities the work was ber in the field of sociology and eco- ing it inclusive of all nations and interrupted, but after the Ar- nomics put together. The proportion people. mistice the "Y" resumed its has been relatively the same in years leadership in the development of past. Signs notwithstanding, the de- 3. It gives to their industrial physical education, and of social mand for religious books is perennial, spirit a broader economic sweep and recreative life, serving both and increases rather than abates in and understanding, one of the as an example and a yeast for an age of sophistication. Preachers basic elements in developing other similar organizations. In buy enough books to support three world trade. 1929, a branch was opened in a publishing houses who rely on their typically Turkish quarter of the trade entirely; and to keep going 4. It makes men recipients capital, and in 1933 the head- religious departments in five other and champions of much that is quarters in the cosmopolitan sec- large publishing houses. Preachers rich and fine in the character tion of Beyoglu were closed. To recommend books in church bulletins, and life of men living in other a considerable degree, the Asso- at luncheon clubs and among their environments and countries than ciation is self-supporting. friends; thus they get into circulation those of the Christian. among the laity. . . . It is certainly -The Christian Century. not too much to guess that the wide 5. It broadens their patriot- circulation and attentive reading of ism and citizenship to world pro- MISCELLANEOUS these books has gone far toward . . . portions. preparing the way for books of more Catholics Report Large Gains general interest. 6. It keeps Christian men in touch with the great social prob- According to the Catholic The World's Homeless lems in our own country, which Herald, the Roman Catholic pop- can only be solved cooperatively. ulation of Asia has increased by In London the Intergovernnearly 2,000,000 during the past mental Committee on Political Andrew Murray's Children ten years. In 1937 the total Refugees, organized in July by reached the figure of 7,911,370 27 nations at Evian, France, In the family of Andrew Muras compared with 7,699,227 in convened at the Foreign Office. ray, of South Africa, eleven 1936 and 6,029,029 in 1927. Myron C. Taylor, head of the children grew to adult life. Five American delegation at Evian, of the six sons became ministers Although Africa is smaller told the committee it would have and four of the daughters bein size than Asia and is also less to find homes for 660,900 poten- came ministers' wives. The next densely populated, obstacles to tial "involuntary emigres" from generation had a still more missionary activity are less seri- Greater Germany, 300,000 of striking record in that ten ous, and it is expected that the these being Jews (Hitler had grandsons became ministers and number of Roman Catholics in just announced his intention to thirteen became missionaries. Africa will soon exceed the num- get rid of all Jews in 30 days) ; The secret of this unusual con- 285,000 "non-Aryan" Chris- tribution to the Christian min- tians; and 75,000 Roman Cath- istry was the Christian home. olics. -John R. Mott. At the present rate, emigra- tion of these thousands would take sixteen years, but the com- Our ,Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~~il'==============================================~~~~~ A GUIDE FOR PROGRESSIVE READING ON INDIA By BASIL MATHEWS, Author of "The Church Takes Root in India," etc.
In reading about India today, scene can only be truly envis- Oxford Student's History of India. aged in a world perspective. In 13th ed. Vincent A. Smith. New the essential element to hold con- the light of the towering might York, Oxford University Press, tinually in the mind is the in- of new Japan, the attitude of In- 1931. $1.35. creasing momentum of change dian nationalists to Britain is becoming rather like that of A condensed, relatively short taking place in even the remot- Filipino nationalists to America. scholarly history of India which, est of her seven hundred thou- although written and published sand villages. The new Consti- Finally the Christian commu- in Britain, is objective. tution establishing, so to speak, nity in India is increasing cona "United States of India," tinuously at the rate of fifteen Cambridge Shorter History of India. which came into active being in thousand new members every New York, the Macmillan Co. 1934, 1937, sends revolutionary poli- month, or nearly two hundred 3 parts in 1 volume. $4.00. ticians into every nook and thousand a year. By wise procranny of India in search of the gressive educational processes A rather longer book about votes of 50,000,000 Indians. their literacy and their appre- which the comment on the Ox- Motorbusses by the ten thou- hension of Christ and of the ford history is relevant. sand carry the people from Christian meaning of life is steadily growing. They are mak- India. Sir Valentine Chirol. New those villages to the towns and ing the foundation for a new York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926. back. Millions visit the cinema. life fora new India. $5.00. India is now only sixth in the nations of the world in actual GENERAL AND DESCRIPTIVE Sir Valentine Chirol knew his production of her own films. India from within, and from a Even the native princes, like the Land and Life of India, The. Mar- world point of view. He was for Maharajah of Mysore and the garet Read. London, Edinburgh years editor of the foreign news Nizam of Hyderabad, have their House Press, 1934. (Available from of the London Times. While his broadcasting systems. The Pres- Missionary Education Movement. book was written twelve or thirident of Congress. in 1936-7, 80 cents.) teen years ago, it is of perma- Pandit J awaharlal Nehru, and nent value for its sympathetic the President for 1938-9, Mr. A small, accurate, picturesque insight into the nature of the In- Subhas Chandra Bose, are Marx- descriptive book that sensitively dian peoples. ian Socialists. These are all ex- and with a true perspective pressions and agents of the in- achieves the promise of its title. Rise and Fulfilment of British Rule cessant ferment that is leaven- in India. Edward Thompson and ing the stupendous mass of In- Renascent India: from Ram Mohan G. T. Garratt. New York, The Macdia's ancient, immemorial, tra- Roy to Mohandas Gandhi. H. C. H. millan Co., 1934. $7.50. ditional life. Zacharias. New York, E. P. Dutton & Co., 1933. $3.25. This is the most stimulating, One other thing to recall is vigorous and pungent record of that, while Indian political revo- A book from a nationalist the British rule in India from lutionaries work for home rule, point of view, giving from with- two men of unexcelled knowlthey are increasingly conscious in an impression concentrating edge and brilliant powers of more on the political than on the writing, combined with capacity of the fact that if the present economic and cultural aspects of for acid comment. Their critical world-wide threat from Central the Renascence. faculty is exercised with equal and Southern Europe and the zest against the weaknesses of Far East to the very existence Legacy of India, The. G. T. Garratt, both rulers and ruled, while of the British Empire succeeds ed. New York, Oxford University their historical record is intiin tearing it to pieces, India Press, 1937. $4.00. mate, searching and accurate. would not find freedom but inevitably would come under the A very scholarly, often bril- India's New Constitution. J. P. Eddy rule either of Tokio or, less liant and always educative, rec- and F. H. Lawton. New York, The probably, Rome. The Indian ord of ,the past of India from the Macmillan Co., 1935. $2.10. point of view of its contribution to the present, and the future. This book is important for reference particularly, and for [509 ] those who would get an accurate description of the new Constitu- written on the life of the Indian Indian Thought and Its Develoption, which is the largest adven- village. As readable as a first- ment. Albert Schweitzer. New ture ever undertaken towards class novel, it is also as author- York, Henry Holt & Co., 1936. the application of the democrat- itative in its psychological in- $2.50. ic idea to a vast Asiatic popula- sight as it is in its description tion habituated through millenia of the outward aspects of life. The value of this volume is in to despotism. bringing clearly to light the Hindu Jajmani System, The. William fundamental contrast between Mahatma Gandhi's Ideas. C. F. An- H. Wiser. Lucknow, Lucknow Pub- the life-affirming philosophy and drews. New York, The Macmillan lishing House, 1936. 2r. Sa. faith of Christianity and the Co., 1930. $3.00. life-negating mentality of Hin- This unique book describes duism. This book, through the eyes of with scientific accuracy and psyan intimate friend, conveys the chological analysis for the first Crown of Hinduism, The. J. N. Farmore permanently valid ele- time the true working of the In- quhar. New York. Oxford Uniments of Mahatma Gandhi's dian village. It is of priceless versity Press, 1917. $2.00. thought. value to anyone who desires to get a scientifically true "close- Dr. Farquhar's unique work Mahatma Gandhi: His Life, Work, up" of the Indian village. It is in India of editing volumes and Influence. J. R. Chitambar. interesting that it has been left that interpreted Indian religious Philadelphia, John C, Winston Co. to an American missionary, thought with scholarly insight 1933. $2.00. aided by his brilliant wife, to do culminated in this great book, this valuable piece of analysis which reveals the relationship This gives from the point of of the social pattern on which of Hinduism to Christianity. view of an Indian sympathizer India has been built. the record of Mahatma Gandhi's Bhagavad Gita, The. Translated by life up till some six years ago. Indian Peasant, The. Marquis of Lin- A. W. Ryder. Chicago, University No coherent record has yet been lithgow. London, Faber & Faber, of Chicago Press, 1929. $2.00. made of his more recent concen- 1932. Paper, 1/-. tration upon the uplift of the This is a fine translation of outcaste. This pamphlet, written with the Hindu Scripture which, as restrained eloquence and unex- Mahatma Gandhi said to the Autobiography; With Musings on celled knowledge, is significant present writer, is the only book Recent Events in India. Jawa- as the production of the present in the world that he finds be- harial Nehru. London, John Lane, Viceroy of India who was Chair- yond criticism and that is used 1936. 15/-. man of the Agricultural Com- by him every day in his devo- mission that for the first time tional life. This singularly beautiful book, examined the whole rural life of which Edward Thompson likens India. Indian Islam. Murray T. Titus. Reto Newman's Apologia Pro Vita, ligious Quest of India series. New not only gives from the angle of Up from Poverty in Rural India. D. York, Oxford University Press, one of its outstanding leaders Spencer Hatch. New York, Oxford 1930. $4.50. the story of the last decade of University Press, 1936. $1.50. 3rd change, but reveals in poignant ed. This volume, alongside Dr. and in often tragic autobiog- Bevan Jones' The People of the raphy the strange crisis which Dr. Spencer Hatch and his Mosque, describes the Mohamcomes through the working of wife at Travancore, South India, medanism of the greatest Islamthe Western ferments in Indian have created a pioneer experi- ic population of the world, the life. This book, although very ment in rural reconstruction. eighty million Moslems of India. long, should be read with joy as This book should be read alongsheer literature as well as with side "The Gospel and the Plow," EDUCATION sympathy as a unique human by Sam Higginbottom which document. It is disappointing most unfortunately is out of Christian College in India, The. Rethat repeated efforts· have failed print but can be secured from port of the Commission on Christo persuade any American pub- many libraries. tian Higher Education in India. lisher that it is worth while to New York, Oxford University produce it here in the United INDIAN RELIGIONS Press, 1931. $2.00. States. Copies of the English edition can be secured through Living Religions of the Indian This is the famous Lindsay the Friendship Press, 150 Fifth People, The. Nicol Macnicol. Lon- report which gives still the best Avenue, New York. don, Student Christian Movement perspective available not only of Press, 1934. (Available from MiE- the existing situation but of the RURAL CONDITIONS AND MOVE- sionary Education Movement. 150 lines of progress for the future. Fifth Avenue, New York, $3.50.) MENTS Christian Education in the Villages This is the best available up- of India. Alice B. Van Doren. New Behind Mud Walls. William H. and to-date volume on this subject. Yo r k, International Missionary Charlotte V. Wiser. New York. Its author, who has given a life- Council, 1931. 80 cents. Richard R. Smith, 1930. $1.50. time to India, is simultaneously (Available from Harper & Broth- a scholar of highest quality, a This book, alongside the same ers.) Christian saint, and a poet. author's new volume, The Chris- tian High School in India, gives This is the ablest and most the best available picture of penetrating descriptive book yet rural education alongside the
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
training of those who are be- Other Recent Books churches, as shown in four chaptween the village and the college. ters, is not very encouraging. The Japan Christian Year Book- Both the nation and the Church Builders of the Indian Church. 1938. Edited by Charles W. Igle- are passing through a crisis. Stephen Neill. London, Edinburgh hart. 8vo. 454 pp. Yen 2.50- The increase in evangelical House Press, 1934. (Available Kyo Bun Kwan, Tokyo; $1.25 from Church membership has been t h r 0 ugh Missionary Education the Foreign Missions Conference, small (only 5,111 reported by all Movement, 150 Fifth Avenue, New New York. 1938. societies), in spite of Kagawa's York, 80 cents.) evangelistic campaign. The sta- Nineteen foreigners and six tistics are incomplete. This little volume gives a Japanese, who contribute the vivid insight into the past work chapters to this annual volume, The Year Book includes the together with the prospect for give a reliable but incomplete usual list of missions, stations the future architecture of In- picture of political, industrial, and missionaries. One of the dia's Christian life. social and religious. life in Japan interesting chapters deals with today. The picture is incomplete "The Revival Movement in For- Christian Mass Movements in India. for government censorship does mosa" and another 'is on "Ja- J. Waskom Pickett. New York, not permit the publication of pan's Christian Activities Over Abingdon Press, 1933. (Available facts in regard to the military Seas." through International Missionary situation, the financial distress, Council, 156 Fifth Avenue, New the real attitude of the better Christian High Schools in India. York. Cloth, $1.00.) informed people as to the war By Alice B. Van Doren. 170 pp. against China, or on the Shinto Rs. 2-12. Calcutta, 1936. This is by far the most au- shrine situation. At the same thoritative survey of what is time there is much recorded here Few pUblications of the exnow becoming the most chal- that is of great interest and cellent "Education of India lenging flow of multitudes of un- value regarding "The Year of Series" of the Y. M. C. A. Pubderprivileged people into the the Ox" (1937)-supposed to be lishing House, present more church that has. been witnessed a period of "patient rumination." helpful, and at the same time, in any land in modern times, if Politically the per i 0 d was more challenging material. The not in all history. marked by a further breaking work of the twenty Christian away from the plan of coopera- Colleges in India is of great sig- Christianity in the Eastern Conflicts. tion with America and Europe nificance, both for the nation William Paton. New York, Friend- in the limitation of armaments, and the Church of God; the 170 ship Press, 1937. Cloth, $1.50; and a refusal to join in plans for odd high schools covered by Miss paper, 75 cents. (Especially Chap- the promotion of peace and Van Doren's survey, which pre- ter III.) friendly relations with the more pare many boys and girls who advanced nations. The "military later go on to the colleges, are This magnificent book has two party" is in the saddle in Japan also vital centers of influence. particular contributions to make. and is determined to carry out One finds among them throb- It puts the Indian Christian ad- its own program, without regard bing, colorful, unique instituvance in the heart of the world to treaty obligations and the tions but some that are drab, scene, and it reveals with the in- rights of other nations. "The dull, commonplace. This Survey sight of one who has given years Year of the Ox" might be inter- dodges none of the depressing of splendid service in India the preted as "the Year of Sacrifice" facts but it pictures fully the large significance of the present -but it is the sacrifice of achievements of the b est growth of the Christian church. Japan's good name and of the schools; covering the essential principles of justice, truth, peace issue of curriculum, organiza- Heritage of Beauty. Pictorial Studies and friendship. tion, and methods, the survey is of Modern Church Architecture in at its best in the section which Asia and Africa, Illustrating the Dr. A. K. Reischauer of Tokyo reviews the relation of religion Influence of Indigenous Cultures. says that "Everywhere today re- to education. Thoughtful and Daniel J. Fleming. New York, ligion seems to be uncertain of wise but practical and sugges- Friendship Press, 1937. $1.50. itself and in a state of con- tive, this section is of funda- fusion." Primitive elements of mental importance for the work The'pictures here show the in- superstition and low moral of these church-fostered schools. teresting and significant adapta- standards still remain in Japan's Illustrated amply and suppletion going on today of church religious, political and social sys- mented by sample charts, the architecture to Indian patterns. tem – in spite of their fine pa- book makes its appeal to the triotic ideals and their modern reader who wants a fresh view Untouchables' Quest, The. Godfrey education. Japanese will ac- of Indian education at i,ts best Phillips. New York. Friendship knowledge no authority above -that is where it is self-critical. Press, 1936. Cloth, 75 cents; paper, that of the Emperor – as inter- Valuable statistics make this 40 cents. preted by his human advisers. study useful for the student of missionary education. Professor Godfrey Phillips, But the influence and power with the insight of one who has of Christ is growing in Japan- Miss Van Doren and her Adhimself given decades to South in spite of great difficulties. The visory Committee, all operating India, gives an up-to-date pic- pro g res s of the Christian ture of the Untouchables and their movement towards the light.
under the direction of India's and sympathetically of present- Brazilians from appointment as National Christian Council, day events and the modern missionaries. Francisco Fulhave given us a readable book, trends-in China, Japan and gencio Soren became a great in- a digest of a great volume of Korea. He considers the ex- fluence for God in his native data, selected with the wisdom pectant East, the teaching and country. So unusual was his of experience. The book is most influence of Confucianism, Bud- work that his Alma Mater con- timely and will remain for years dhism, Shamanism and Shinto- ferred upon him the degree of to come both an authoritative ism; he describes briefly the Doctor of Divinity. He devel- document of fact and also a work of Protestant Missions and oped the small church of Rio into guide a program of help to those the growth of the Christian a large congregation and a now at work in India's schools. Church, and the present status temple worthy of that metropo- B. C. HARRINGTON. of Christianity, the many obsta- lis. He and his wife also helped cles and the outlook. Each of the to establish a theological sem- three countries is taken up sep- Moving Millions – A Pageant of arately. The book is full of inary, and a woman's college of Modern India. By E. Stanley Jones, which Mrs. Soren is the prin- facts, important facts, related Bishop J. Wascom Pickett, C. Her- facts, well presented. Christ is cipal. Dr. Soren became the bert Rice and others. Introduction the only hope of Asia and of the interpreter between the mission- by Robert E. Speer. Map. 224 pp. world. ary viewpoint and the Brazilian Paper, 50 cents. Missionary Edu- Church and vice versa.
cation Movement, New York. 1938.
This is the senior textbook for This biography will be a great the study of India. It is full of Radiant Youth. By Captain Reginald help to every young minister and facts that are essential in such a Wallis. 128 pp. 80 cents. Amerstudy, and the chapter headings ican Bible Conference Association. especially to the outgoing mis- Philadelphia. sionary. A. H. PERPETUO.
indicate that the picture of mod- While this book is written for Fun and Festival from India. By ern India's "moving millions" is young people, no adult will lay Rose Wright. 48 pp. 25 cents. adequately presented: The Un- it down when once he begins to Friendship Press, New York. 1938. touchables; The Ministry of read it. Some of its thirty-three Healing; Rural Millions; The chapters have appeared in The This little pamphlet is just Christian Church and Higher Christian Herald. Each is in- what the title indicates. It con- Christian Education. Dr. Stan- tensely practical. The author tains suggestions for suppleley Jones sums up the whole skillfully deals with such topics menting the study of India with in a final chapter-"Facing the as: "The Dynamic of the Cross," music, games, costumes, menus Future." He points out that "Does Sin Matter?" "Is the Bible from India, and creative recreaconversion from one faith to an- God's Book?" "Attainment or tion such as metal work, "tieother is no longer a religious Atonement," etc., so that the and-dye" work and other arts question only, but a political and youthful reader is thoroughly native to India. cultural one. There is a plea for and unconsciously grounded in a demonstration of the Kingdom stable doctrine. Each chapter Hearts Aglow. Stories of Lepers by of God; people must see its begins with a bit of humor or a the Inland Sea. By Honami Nagata principles and power in opera- gripping story, and telling illus- and Lois Johnson Erickson. IUus. tion. The Christian message 127 pp. $1.25. Printed in Japan must be the Kingdom of God on trations fall thick and fast, hold- for the American Mission to Lepers, earth-no less. We cannot com- ing the attention to the end. New York. 1938: promise or tone it down. Clever reasoning and skilful use of Scripture quotations clinch There are over 1,800 Chris- The Star in the East. By C. Darby the argument in each message tian lepers in Japanese leper col- Fulton. Illus. 12mo. 264 pp. and much helpful information is onies. Mrs. Erickson, a mission- Presbyterian Committee of Publica- contained in this delightful book. ary of the Presbyterian Church tion, Richmond, Va., 1938. in the U. S., has long been inter- HOWARD A. ADAIR. ested in these sufferers of Japan and has translated many of their The tragic events in Eastern beautiful poems. Here she trans- Asia are of tremendous impor- Francisco Fulgencio Soren. By L. M. lates stories written by Honami tance to the world of today and Bratcher. 224 pp. $1.25. Broad- Nagata, a Christian leper, who tomorrow. Here is a message of man Press. Nashville, Tenn. tells his own experiences and Hope in the midst of dark days. A young Brazilian who was those of his friends. He is a Dr. Darby Fulton, formerly a brought to the Lord by one of leader in the Poetry Club at missionary in Japan, and now His missionaries later came to Oshima where there is a hospital Executive Secretary of the For- the United States, went through for lepers. To the stories and eign Missions Committee of the college and seminary and then poems by Mr. Nagata, the trans- Presbyterian Church in the U. was sent back to his native land lator adds others that reveal S., knows the situation from by the Southern Baptist Board beautiful faith and courage. first-hand contacts. His parents of Foreign Missions. The Bap- They repay the reader and show went out fifty years ago as mis- tist Board did not follow the ex- the power of Christ to bring sionaries to Japan. Dr. Fulton ample of other North American comfort and courage to stricken writes graphically, intelligently Boards in excluding native-born souls in leprous. bodies.
BooIe. Evangelize or Foaailize. Herbert Lectures on Japan. Inazo
Lockyer. 92 pp. Bible Institute 393 pp. $2.00. University of Chi- The American City and Its Church. Colportage Assn. Chicago. cago Press. Chicago. Samuel C. Kincheloe. 177 Pl" $1.00 and 60 cents. Friendship Evergreen and Other Near East Bible G. Campbell Morgan, Bible Teacher. Press. New York. Talks. Abdul-Fady (A. T. Upson). Harold Murray. 141 pp. $1.00. 120 pp. 28. Marshall, Morgan & Marshall, Morgan & Scott, London. All Around the City. Esther Frei- Scott. London. and Zondervan Pub. Co. Grand vo~l. 96 pp. $1.00 and 50 cents. Rapids. FrIendship Press. New York. Education in India-1935-36. 140 pp. 3s. 3d. Bureau of Education, Delhi, Men of Power. Fred Eastman. 186 America's Share in Japan's War India. pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Guilt. 80 pp. 15 cents. American Nashville. Committee for Non-Participation in The Heathen. Henry W. Frost. 106 Japanese Aggression. New York. pp. Fundamental Truth Pub. Street Comer. Harold & Eunice Findlay, Ohio. Hunting. 118 pp. $1.00, cloth, American Bible Society's Annual Re- and 50 cents, paper. Friendship port – 1938. 300 pp. American The Household of Faith. Arthur Press. New York. Bible S?Ciety. New York. Emerson Harris. 232 pp. $2. Revell. New York. A Stud~_ in Christian Certainties. Blue Skies. Louise Harrison Mc- John Wilmot Mahood. 77 pp. 35 Graw. 262 pp. $1.00. Zondervan Hearts Aglow. Honami Nagata and cents. Zondervan Pub. Co. Grand Pub. House. Grand Rapids. Lois Johnson Erickson. 127 pp. Rapids. $1.25. American Mission to Lepers. The Church Can Save the World. New York. – -_ – ……………,………… Samuel M. Shoemaker. 162 pp. $1.50. Harper Bros. New York. It Began in Galilee. Reginald J. Write c.tIay Barker. 317 pp. $2.50. Cokesbury The Church and the Tribulation. Press. Nashville. TIle ……..f Fe…,.,. H ……. C. F. Hogg and W. E. Vine. 63 pp. ef tIae …..byaerlaa a..rell 6d. Pickering and Inglis. London. Johanna of Nigeria. Life and Labors of Johanna Veenstra. Henry Beets. la 'lie ValtedState.of AaIerIea Christ and the Hindu Heart. J. E. 228 pp. Grand Rapids Printing .UFUtlaAye..NewYerk.N.Y. Graefe. 155 pp. Revell. New York. Co. Grand Rapids.
The Case Against Japan. Charles R. Japan Christian Year Book -1938. Shepherd. $2.50. 242 pp. Daniel $2.00. Christian Literature So- Ryerson, Inc. New York. ciety, Tokyo)" or Committee of Ref- erence and uouncil, New York. The Christ. A. Wendell Ross. $2.00. 222 pp. Revell. New York. Living Word. C. M. S. Report. 56 pp. 6d. C. M. S. London. The Doctor Comes to Lui. Eileen Fraser. 71 pp. lB. C. M. S. Little Saint Barbara. M. E. Mark- London. ham. 101 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London.
HAVE YOU READ?
THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bombay at the request of his mother, Queen Victoria.
What some readers say of this book: Robert Speer's "Life of George Bowen of Bombay" is one was so far-sighted and so deep-seeing I-the former because of the richest of missionary biographies. the latter. If one wants to sum up the interests of our Da. J. LoVBLL MUUAY, 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 enou~ to know why he went, , apnrodd~bcatd enough to know the meamng of salvation. One by_ . . , I feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our of his exper!ence was his. wonde!ful hwnility-aoth- Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to feed on the- Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- mg m the show wmdow and himself m the remote back. mtherenshpoolidn,tinbguttontoheo doo~ r andutpakoinfg their people as far as the ground. It is inspiring. the treasures within the Da. GaoltGB P. PInsoN, fotmlf'J, of Tapa. Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main· Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no earnest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus adolescent, but a f1III1I in Christ. This is no volume to be Christ; and -his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. repeatedly. HlNRy SLOANE CoPPIN, WU.LIAM HAzEN, P"sidml of U"io" Snni1lllr'1'
Missio"., i" SboJaplI', It.dia. The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for y~ to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set A biography of one of the saintliest figures of the nine- before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scath· teenth century. I could not put the book down. There is a ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and inef- fascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in nciency. J. Ross STEVBNSON, devout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings which would serve as starting points for chapel talks. He P,eside", Bmeritlls, P,i1Imo" Semi".,.
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RooM* offers the most unusual, and we believe the most thought-provoking, series of meditations ever offered in a devotional periodical. Along with the very best material from our own selection of writers, this issue contains media tations prepared by members of the INTERNATIONAL MISSIONARY COUNCIL, representing the UNITED STATES AND 28 OTHER CHRISTIA,:i NATIONS. (Truly a cross-section of the devotional thouglitof the world!) The Council has adopted this issue of THE UPPER ROOM as its prayer and fellowship manual in preparation for its decen- nial meeting in Madras, India, in December.
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The Missionary Review of the World — April 1938
1938
How the Indian Church Reads the Bible Marguerite Grove Modak A Cathedral on Wheels in Ohio Norman R. Sturgis Mansur Sang.-.-.-Christian Dervish J. Christy Wilson The Holy Cities of Islam in Iraq Calvin K. Staudt Black and White in South Africa Kenneth G. Grubb The Pastor and Missionary Education Jesse H. Arnup 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea,.
D.te. to Remember PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with
ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. April 28-General Conference, Meth- odist Episcop·al Church, South, Bir- Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana mingham, Ala. For Ministers, Teachers, Missionaries, Sunday School Worker. and Laymen May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- tion, Richmond, Va. Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees • Cost Reasonable 50 July 12 to August 17- Two Terms 15 Days Each· Interdenominational May 18-22-General Missionary Con- Free ference of the Woman's Missionary Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined Rooms Union of Friends in America, Whit- tier, California. Mrs. Virginia Dr. W. E. BiederwoU, Director (Asic: for free Prospectus) Dr. J. A. Haffmu. Doaa Peelle, Wilmington, Ohio, President. nal at 24, and was private secretary to deeply interested in the Y. M. C. A. May 19-General Assembly, Presby- and Y. W. C. A. and in THE MISSION- terian Church in U. S., Meridian, President Benjamin Harrison in 1889, Miss. died at Leonia, New Jersey, on Feb- ARY REVIEW.
May 22-Rural Life Sunday. ruary 27th, at the age of 95. George Foste*r P*eab*ody, noted phi- May 25-General Assembly, United Colonel Halford was very active in lanthropist and churchman, died at Presbyterian Church of North Pine Glade, Warm Springs, Ga., on America, Cleveland, Ohio. church work and in the Y. M. C. A., March 4th. He was 85 years of age. and was a memb~r of the Board of May 26-General Assembly, Presby~ Foreign Missions of the Methodist Mr. Peabody had a keen interest in terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- the welfare of the Negro. He gave phia, Pa. Episcopal Church. time, attention, and money to various He was born in Nottingham, Eng- organized efforts for the advancement May 31-June 4-Triennial Conven- of the Colored people. For many tion, and 50th Anniversary, Wom- land, in 1843, and was brought to the years, he was a trustee of the Amer- an's Missionary Society of the ican Church Institute for Negroes. General Synod, Evangelical and United States in 1848. He was a Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio. delightful personality and was deeply Mr. Peabody was born in Columbus, Ga., on July 27, 1852, the son of June 2 – General Synod, Reformed interested in Christian work. For George Henry Peabody. Church in America, Asbury Park, N.J. s·ome years he was active in the Amer- He often said that he was grad- uated from the Y. M. C. A., declaring June 15-22-General Council of Con- ican Mission to Lepers. he obtained the equivalent of a college gregational and Christian Churches, education in its libraries and lecture Beloit, Wisconsin. *** rooms.
June 18-25-Geneva Summer School Dr. John R. Fleming, emeritus sec- *** for Missionary Education. For in- formation address Mrs. Paul H. retary of the Alliance of Presbyterian Amy Blanche Greene, Director of Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey Ave., and Reformed Churches, died suddenly Young People's Work for the Greater Oak Park, Ill. New York Federation of Churches in London, December 28, at nearly 80 since 1933, died on March 2, in New June 25-July 2-Interdenominational York. She was a graduate of Miami Conference of Missions, Eagles years of age. Dr. Fleming was born University, the Chi c ago Divinity Mere, Pa. School and Union Theological Sem- in Fifeshire, Scotland, and was edu- inary. June 28-July 3 – Twentieth Interna- tional Convention on Christian Edu- cated in Edinburgh. He was one of cation, Columbus, Ohio. the first Scottish supporters of the July 12-August 17 – Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Christian Endeavor Movement, and in Ind. 1902 was elected its national presi- dent. Among his books are The Burn- September – General Com mit tee, ing Bush and History of the Church World's Student Christian Federa- tion, Japan. in Scotland. *** December 13-30 – International Mis- sionary Council, Madras, India. Rev. Levi B. Salmans, M.D., first Obituary Notes medical missionary to found a hospital The Rev. Dr. J. Sumner Stone, a in Mexico, died in Pasadena, January Methodist Episcopal clergyman and missionary for more than fifty years, 29, aged 83. He had retired in 1927, died in New Rochelle, New York, on February 18th at the age of eighty- after 42 years of medical-evangelistic I SERVICE I two. work. *** A native of Wheeling, W. Va., Dr. Stone studied medicine at the Univer- , Mrs. Nora Jones Bowen, wife of sity of Pennsylvania and, after his graduation in 1879, he went to Cal- the former President of Nanking Uni- IF YOU are considering the cutta, India, as a missionary for eight years. He then returned to the United versity, died January 14, in Altadena, States and did mission work in New York before assuming his first pas- California. She had gone as a mistorate. sionary under the Methodist Board in publication of a book, He retired nine years ago after having served nine churches. He was 1897, retiring in 1930. pamphlet, or tract, why not for a time the president of the International Missionary Union. *** let us make it for you? Our *** James H. Post, one of the most facilities are most modern, generous givers that America has ever Lieut. Col. Elijah Walker Halford, known, died on March 5th, at his home and our location is at the who rose from "printer's devil" to be- in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Post had lived come editor of The Indianapolis Jour- an abundant life of Christian service, "heart of distribution." Esti- both in personal ways and in move- ments for the welfare of his fellows mates on your particular re- and for the evangelization of the world. He had given largely to many quirements, with expert missionary enterprises, notably the Laymen's Missionary Movement. Mr. counsel, will be gladly fur- Post and his wife, Louisa Wells Post, a daughter of the Rev. John D. Wells, nished on request. I'li D.D., a former president of the Pres- byterian Board of Foreign Missions, e~ B06Iu have generously cooperated in the p~ undertakings in home and foreign lands. They founded the John D. ~FF~CTIVE PRINTING AT Wells School in Seoul, Chosen, and the ECONOMICAL PRIC~S John D. Wells School in Siangtan, Hunan, China, and aided substantial- The Evangelical Press ly MacKenzie College, in Brazil, and many other undertakings in various Printers of missions. Mr. and Mrs. Post were The Missionary Review of the World Third and Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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REVIEW OF THE WORLD Twain once received a letter from a every speed record to and from subscriber complaining that he had the Orient. 10 days direct to DBLAVAN L. PIBRSON, lfditor found a spider in his paper and ask- Yokohama by Empress of Asia ing the meaning of it. The editor or Empress of Russia. Or only VOL. LXI APRIL, 1938 No. 4 replied: "Dear old subscriber: Find- three days more via Hawaii by ing a spider in your newspaper was Empress of Japan, largest and Publication and Business Ollie&– neither good luck nor bad luck for fastest on the Pacific, or Empress Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. you. The spider was merely looking of Canada. Connect at Honolulu over your paper to see which mer- from California ports. Editorial and Executive Ollie&– chant is not advertising so he can go From Vancouver and Victoria 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. to that store, spin his web over the to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Entered as second-class matter at door and lead a life of undisturbed Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. peace ever afterward." Details from YOUR TRAVEL Post Oftlce, Harrisburg, Pa., under AGENT or Canadian Pacific·: Act of March 3, 1879. *** 41 offices in U. S. and Canada.
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MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- *** LISHING CO., INC. A reader in Kansas recently wrote BOARD OF DIRECTORS to the Editor: "The first time I ever ROBE'RT E. SPBER, Pre8ident looked into your magazine was today. A. L. WARNSHUIS, VicfI-Pre8ident I was glad to see the stand you took WALTER MCDoUGALL, Treasurer concerning your conviction that Christ DELAVAN L. PIBRSON, Secretary deals primarily with the spiritual needs of the world." PAUL J. BRAIBTED SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT *** D. J. FANT This is true for Christ sees that the spiritual needs underlie and per- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD meate all others. He is also concerned WM. B. LIPPHARD for man's material needs, as He showed when He was on earth, for Emc M. NORTH the supply of these needs has much to do with man's character and wel- SAMUEL M. ZWEMEB fare and his efficiency in the service of God and man. Editorial Chat *** The annual meeting of The Missionary Review Publishing Co. was Another reader writes: held at the Parkside Hotel, New York, at 1 p. m., March 28, 1938. At this "I have always had an intense inmeeting reports for 1937 were given, terest in mission work and missionary directors were elected for the coming problems. Only recently, however, year and the future plans for THE has your publication come to my at- REVIEW carefully considered. Matters tention. I assure you that I am glad of vital interest concerning THE RE- to have discovered it. The articles I VIEW were given much thought and find definitely interesting. The secthoroughly considered. tion entitled "Our World Outlook" is particularly instructive and enlight- *** ening. It covers such vast ground that one cannot but realize how well The June number of THE REVIEW the idea of Christ has gotten to the will be devoted to the Home Mission remotest corners." study topic-"The City." Articles are planned to show the great need of the JULIUS S. MILLER, modern city for the Gospel of Christ, Dillard University. the various agencies that are seeking to solve the problems – especially New Orleans, La. those that touch spiritual needs, and the results of such work in the transformation of individuals, homes and communities. Send in your order now in advance – 25 cents a copy, $20 a hundred.
USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN HOMES HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE By.JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.O. Recommended by all denominations for Its freshness and accuracy, for its simplicity of language,for itsfreedomfrom doctrinal discussion.
THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD FOR TEACHER5-STUDENTS-FOR THE HOME AND SCHOOL One hundred and sixty…,ightstories,each complete in itself, yet form- ing a eonUnuons narrative of the Bible from Gene.i. ~o Revelation. Each of the world-old stories is told by the noted author in a manner thatis vitally interesting and instructive to young and old alike.
Biggest and Best IUustrated Book EYer Sold for the PrIes Beautifully illustrated with 281 pictures in colors and in black and white; over 100 famous Leinweber paintings. 759 pages. Prlee ..$2.00 At <Ill book.tore. o,./rom. the publi.herB . .__ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia _ _• [ 161 ]
RELIGIONS OF THE
The .twelve leading religions of the world which have persisted through a succession of centuries are, in the order of their origin: Animism, Hinduism, Judaism, Shinto, Zoroastrian- ism, Taoism, J ainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism.
Numerically, Christianity has the largest following of any religion, with more than twice as many adherents as Confucianism, the next largest. .
The 1937 World Almanac gives the following statistics: Christianity, 682 million; Confucianism and Taoism, 351 million (about 43 million of these are Taoists) ; Hinduism, 230 million; Islam, 209 million (most authorities give 240 million, placing Islam third in the list) ; Buddhism, 150 million; Animism, 136 million; Shinto, 25 million; Judaism, 15 million. The number of adherents of th~ three religions not listed by the World Almanac are commonly estimated as: Sikhism, 3 million; J ainism, 1 million; Zoroastrianism, one hundred thousand.
Islam is the only r.eIi~on which started in opposition to Chri~tianity.
Only three of these religions claim to have a universal claim on mankind – Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. Islam excludes its women, approximately half its adult followers, from full participation in its privileges and responsibilities.
Four religions are strictly monotheistic: Islam, Sikhism, Judaism and Christianity. Only Christianity presents a loving deity who actively seeks the redemption of the world and who is represented in human history by a Person of the same high moral character and purpose.
Four non-Christian religions claim in some form supernatural birth for their founders: Buddhism, Taoism, J ainism all(~ Zoroastrianism.
All the living religions, except Animism, have sacred scriptures: Hinduism, the Vedas; Judaism, The Law, The Prophets and The Sacred Writings; Shinto, Ko-ji-ki (The Records of Ancient-Matters) and Nihon-gi (The Chronicles of Japan); Zoroastrianism, Avesta; Taoism, Tao:"Teh-King (The Canon of Reason and Virtue); Jainism, the Angas; Buddhism, Tripitaka (Three Baskets) ; Confucianism, The Five Classics, and The Four Books; Christianity, the Bible; Islam, the Koran; Sikhism, the Granth.
All report some miraculous happenings of religious import in connection with the life of the founders.
Seven religions have teachings approximating the Golden Rule as teaching right relations with others.
Hinduism: "Do naught to others which, if done to thee, would cause thee pain: this is the sum of duty."
Buddhism: "In five ways should a clansman minister to his friends and familiars by treating them as he treats himself."
Confucianism: "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others."
Taoism: "To those who are good to me, I am good; and to those who are not good to me, I am also good. And thus all get to be good."
Zoroastrianism: "That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self."
Judaism: "Whatsoever thou wouldest that men should not do unto thee, do not do that to them."
Christianity: "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them."
There is a like precept in Greek philosophy: "Do not do to others what you would not wish to suffer yourself.'" …
All living religions hold some belief concerning a future existence, though they differ widely as to its character and even concerning its desirability.
Dr. R. E. Hume, in summing up the essential features of Christianity which are not paralleled among all the religions of the world, states three distinct characteristics in terms of the Christian belief concerning God: (1) In God there is something eternal (God as the creator and universal, loving Father); (2) In God there is something historic (the incarnation of God in the Son, Jesus Christ); (3) In God there is something progressive (the continuing, available, transforming presence, known as "The Holy Spirit") .-World Call.
[162 ] REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1938 Topics of the Times THE ONLY NAME – IN INDIA them th3it are bruised.' He gave the invitation, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy "The problem of the uniqueness of Christ may laden and I will give you rest.' . . . His Sermon perhaps have only an academic interest for those on the Mount is a unique enunciation of eternal who were born in a society where the people en- ethics.
joy their elementary birthrights of the equality of 5. "He is unique in His claims to divine author- man. But to us Indians, it is one like the new dis- ity and power. (See John 8: 51; 14: 6; 11: 25; covery of a great treasure of Itornugthcetnhtautrlh·eas" s. been Ma6t.t."2H4e: 3is5.u) nique in His claims to be one with hidden away in the earth f or These are the opening sentences of an article God. (John 10: 30; 14: 9; 15: 23; 5: 21; Matt.
on "The Uniqueness of Christ" by Bhagat Ram 10: 37 ; J 0 hn 5 : 25.) in The Indian Witness of January 20, 1938. He 7. "He is unique in healing the wounds of the says: "In Christ this writer, who has been long brU.lsed. (Matt. 11 : 28 ; J 0 hn 6 : 35 ; 2 Cor.5: 17.) walking in darkness, has seen a great light." He 8. "He was unique in changing the world for then proceeds to set fOllth thirteen aspects of womanhood..,. ~ He regarded women equally Christ's uniqueness. with men, as capable of full intellectual and spir- 1. "His life and teachings are unique in that itual apprehension, as responsible for the exercise they are of a different order from the world's de- of the highest intellectual and spiritual faculties.
batable theories and ideals. . . . In a complex .. . . This message of His brought a liberty that world He gave us simple, basic truths upon which made available to her such service in the home and life is founded. society as has accomplished great things for the 2. "The central place He occupies in the history world.
of mankind. . . . Christ is the central figure of 9. "He is unique in finding the great spiritual the universe. Christmas, the day of His advent value in child life. (Matt. 8: 3.) in this world, has come to be recognized as the 10. "He was unique in bringing a new concep- universal day of exchanging joyful greetings of tion of fitness for leadership. (Mark 10: 43.) good will and peace. 11. "He is unique in that He rose again from 3. "The unique purpose with which He came the tomb and is ever alive.
into the world. . . . Christ brought a new dy- 12. "His unique character.
namic of love. . . . My Hindu brethren tell us 13. "Christ is' unique in His influence on the that Lord Krishna came 'for the destruction of world tod'ay."
the wicked and the preservation of the good.' But And the writer concludes: "Now, of the evi- Jesus Christ came to turn the wicked into good; dence from His disciples, His life, His teaching, to give them both the desire and the power to His regenerating power in' individuals, and even conquer sin. from the evidence of the avowed enemies of His 4. "He set forth His unique mission to the world mission, any rationatbeing with a brain to think as follows: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and a heart to throb in his heart of hearts must because He has anointed me to preach the gospel conclude that Jesus Christ is God as the one Man.
to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken Very hard indeed must be the person who is not hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and attracted and captivated by the story of His life recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty and death."
[163 ]
This is a voice from within the Christian com- Lord, can form a regenerated world and bring muni,ty in India. The same voice speaks from universal peace and righteousness, with a release within the Hindu community. The Statesman of from selfishness and fear.
India recently published a two-column article en- The latest overturning in Europe is but another titled "Jesus Christ, the Saviour," written by illustration of the failure of human diplomacy and Swami Apurvananda at the Rama Krishna Mis- the inability of any League of Nations to guarsion, a Hindu ascetic monk, in which he declared antee peace or the "self-determination" of weaker of Jesus, "He is the golden link to bridge the nations. Austria, formerly united to Germany hiatus between this mortal world and the King- but for over one hundred and thirty years an indom of Heaven. . . . We worship Jesus of Naz- dependent nation, was taken over by Hitler's Nazi areth as God incarnated on earth to save human- forces on March 12th and without a battle has ity. . . . There is nothing in history so sublime, been made a part of Germany. Thus the German so majestic. He stands there above all as the nation, that was stlpposed to have been made in- King of mankind, the Son of God, the Lord Him- capable of defying Europe, has defied the world self, beckoning all, with bleeding hand, towards by force of arms and selfish "self-determination." Heaven." European governments are now waiting anxiously Indian literature is full today of testimonies to to see what will be Germany's ne~t move. Will Jesus. One more may be quoted. It is from a Czechoslovakia and Danzig, with their large Gerlittle book, "India's Response to Christ," by P. K. man populations, be absorbed by the Reich? Will Sen, a Hindu of Calcutta, who writes: "I believe Italy also attempt to absorb more coveted terriin my heart of hearts that India cannot escape tory in order to increase Mussolini's prestige? At Christ. No one can escape Christ. So has it been any rate, the map of Europe continues to change with me. The hostility to Christ that made itself .-and will change until the kingdoms of this manifest in the first clash of East and West has world become the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus disappeared. Years have passed and Christ has Christ. slowly and silently entered the hearts of the thinking section of the people. Slowly and surely He What have the unrest, the wars, and thechangwill enter the hearts of all. For Christ is such an ing governments in Europe and Asia to do with one as cannot but be accepted. . . . One sees Him Christians and the Christian program ? Naturally and simply cannot escape Him." every Christian is disturbed, saddened and aroused by the sufferings of those affected by .Every such sign is welcome, but Christ's day is war, greed and injustice – whether in Asia, Eustill not come. There is still no answer in these rope, Africa or America. The two hundred thousigns to Narayan Tibah's question: sand Jews in Austria will suffer, like those in When shall these longings be sufficed Germany, and can find no peace out of Christ. That stir my spirit night and day? True followers of Christ in Europe will suffer for When shall I see my country lay their uncompromising loyalty as the Evangelicals are suffering today in Germany and in Korea. Her homage at the feet of Christ?
Yea, now behold that blissful day There may come still more bitter persecution When all her prophets' mystic lore from those who are opposed to the sovereignty And all her ancient wisdom's store of God and the Spirit of Christ. All this is pre- dicted in the New Testament. Evangelical mission- Shall own His consummating sway. ary work is naturally being hindered by the forces ROBERT E. SPEER.
CHRISTIANS AND THE TURMOIL of unrighteousness but Christians are being chas- IN EUROPE tened and tested and their testimony will not be silenced.
Unrest, uncertainty and fear characterize the What then shall be the attitude of Christians in situation in Europe. Statesmen who thought that these days of change, turmoil and trial? "When the "Peace of Versailles" would bring peace if not the foundations are destroyed, what can the right- good will among men have been sadly disap- eous do 1" They can still be loyal tc, Christ; they pointed. Those students who expressed the con- can refuse to compromise; they can suffer for viction thirtY,or forty years ago that the Kingdom righteousness sake; they can help the needy and of God and the reign of Christ was already estab- afflicted and encourage the faint-hearted; they lished on earth and would prevail by the gradual can witness to God's love and supremacy by their dissemination of His spirit and teachings, find words and their Christ-like lives; they can trust that neither the Bible nor history confirm their and not be afraid. Jesus Christ and His disciples expectations. It becomes clearer every day that in the early days were not disturbed by political only truly regenerated men and women, and the turmoil and by changing human governments in universal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Judea and Galilee. They submitted to their
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
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i uK RAIN.E Scale of Miles 100 31,0. 30, 0 40$0 THE THEATER OF TURMOIL IN EUROPE TODAY A Herald-Tribune map showing the German absorption of Austria and the position of surrounding "interested observers"
earthly rulers but were controlled only by the claims of Jesus to be the true revelation of God, supreme sovereignty of God. The same principles the Father. The Scribes and Pharisees, the Sadwill guide true Christians .today. The nations ducees and Herodians, may have had different may rage and rulers take council against God and reasons for opposing the teachings and claims of against His Anointed, but "the Lord will have Jesus but they were all united in opposition by them in derision." He who rules the universe pride in their intellectual acumen, by their desire must ultimately prevail and His people will share for personal honor and by consciousness of what in .the victory. Is there anything for Christians acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah must cost to do in the present time of testing other than to them. They therefore rejected Him and influenced be loyal and unafraid, to live lovingly, righteously the Jewish people to rej ect Him on the ostensible and godly in this present world and to continue to ground that He came from obscure Galilee, that witness by word and deed to the saving, directing He mingled with despised Publicans and sinners, and keeping power of God? that He did not conform to their interpretation of the Old Testament prophets, tha.t none of the THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CRITICS Jewish rulers followed Him, that He did not suffi- ciently respect the temple or the laws and cus- When Jesus Christ came into the world, He toms of the Hebrew writers and tha.t He claimed came to His own people, but they did not receive that God was His Father. The immediate result Him. At first the multitudes crowded around, was Jesus' rejection by the multitudes, His final even going out into the desert and hillside to listen condemnation by the Jewish and Roman courts to His teaching. Why then did they not receive and His death on the cross. Jesus' self-appointed Him and accept what He offered? The respon- critics were humanly responsible for the fact that sibility rested largely on the shoulders of Christ's severe critics, the Jewish leaders. They set them- Jewish multitudes did not receive Him. selves up as interpreters of the Jewish law, as intellectually superior and able to decide on the Is not a similar situation found today, both in America and in other lands? A missionary to
Moslems in Central Africa, A. R. Pittway, writes OPPORTUNITIES IN IRAN of the difficulties put in the way of the acceptance of Christ by Moslems. Self-appointed critics- Rev. William M. Miller, Presbyterian missionnot only Moslems but also some who claim to ary in Iran, writes in the Presbyterian Tribune: be Christians and who take to themselves the role of rationalistic judges – hinder many from ac- I accompanied a group of Meshed evangelists cepting the authority of the Word of God or the to a village in the mountains where the people are claims of Christ and faith in His redemptive extremely friendly, and where a Christian Church work. Mr. Pittway says: will soon be established. The first person to carry the Gospel to these people was Mansur Sang, the Obviously in our approach to Islam there are many diffi- Christian dervish. (See page 182.) We were inculties. Among them are some which are of our own mak- vited into Christian homes for meals; they always ing. For instance one finds, in a study of Islamic litera- asked for hymns and a talk, and we had the opture published in England and elsewhere for educated portunity of giving our message to the family and Moslems, that the attack upon the Bible is mainly based to forty or fifty nei~hbors as well. At night they upon the written and verbal statements of professing would come to our tents, and our singing and Christian leaders, whose theology is of a rationalistic na- preaching would continue as long as we had a ture. Again and again Moslem leaders have brought such voice left. How they did sing the hymns! statements to me with the question, "Are not these men the leaders of the Christian Church? Are they not your Everywhere these days it is possible to tell the teachers? Do not their statements show that your Scrip- Good News. In one town I was called to the police tures are not trustworthy?" Our rationalistic theologians office because I gave a few tracts to a man by the have, by their declared attitude towards the Bible, made a wayside. I was detained for three days while the difficult task still more difficult. matter was referred to the Capital, and I was examined at length by the officers in charge. This Then again, there is abroad among many Moslems, a gave me an excellent opportunity to give my mesconception concerning the doctrine of the Trinity which is sage to them. One of them listened with deep inentirely false, but one for which that section of the Chris- terest, and after my return to Teheran I received tian Church is to blame, which calls Mary the "Mother of several letters from him in which he expressed a God." I have been told many times by Moslems that the desire to give himself to Christ. Trinity in which we believe and which we worship is the Father, the Mother (Mary), and the Son (Jesus) I-a In October, I saw for the first time the famous thoroughly heathen conception; but who is to blame? mosques of Isfahan. A few years ago it would Surely the responsibility rests on the Christian Church have been impossible for a non-Moslem to set foot which allows such false teaching to be propagated by its inside them, for Iranian Moslems consider all representatives. non-Moslems unclean. But they have now been taken over by the Governmen.t and repaired, and There must be a recognition of the fact that the battle they are to be kept as specimens of the best is a spiritual battle. "If our Gospel is hid, it is hid to Islamic architecture. Three of us, a convert from them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath Judaism, a convert from Islam, and I, went toblinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light gether from one lovely structure to another, and of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, as we entered one large room which much reshould shine unto them." sembled the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem one idea came into the minds of all three of us- The Bible, the claims of Christ and the disciples "What a. wonderful place for a Church!" "Let's of Christ need not fear any honest, unprejudiced, see whether the acoustics are good or not," said constructive criticism. All-important claims the preacher, and going to the far end of the room should be carefully examined but heavy respon- he repeated in Persian the best beloved verse in sibility rests on those whose desire for leadership, the Bible, "For God so loved the world." "We intellectual· pride or false standards cause them heard you perfectly," said the other two, "and that not only to reject Christ and the Word of God for was the first time those words were ever spoken themselves, but who raise barriers that cause in this building." others to reject those just claims. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN MISSIONS The credentials of the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God, and the claims of Jesus Missions are the special work of the Holy Spirit. No Christ as the Son of God and only Saviour for sinful men, are so well set forth in their very one may expect to be filled with the Spirit if he is not nature and in Christian experience, that openminded, intelligent and honest investigation re- willing to be used for missions. No one who wishes to moves doubt. This has been proved through twenty centuries. On the other hand does not work or pray for missions need fear his feebleness or povany leader who awakens doubt and hinders any man's acceptance of Christ, assume tremendous erty: the Holy Spirit is the power that can fit him to take responsibility and fall under the condemnation of Christ for preventing others from entering the his divinely appointed place in the work. Let everyone Kingdom of God? who prays for missions and longs for more of a mission- ary spirit in the Church, pray first and most that in every believer personally, and in the Church and all its work and worship, the power of the indwelling Spirit may have full sway. ANDREW MURRAY.
THE BIBLE
How an Indian Church Read the Bible Through in One Day A Christian Adaptation of an Indian Custom By MARGUERITE GROVE MODAK,* Ahmednagar, India "IN THE beginning, God,,-uThe Spirit and the Pride filled me but now I am humbled, Bride say, Come." Thy disciple, thy humblest, I. . The opening words began on Wednesday mornmg and the closing triumphant invitation Pride deceived, parting me from thee; was given on Saturday night. The reading had Now slave of Thy name am I. not stopped during the whole day, except for a moment while one reader after another took his Void I am of strength, thought, knowledge. place before the open Bible. Thou, 0 Thou alone art my refuge, 0 Christ.
A low platform was placed under the Cross in Men took the leading part in the Saptaha as the prayer-room of the Hume Memorial Church they do in Indian churches, but many women of Ahmednagar, India; a silk rug was spread came and a few took their turn in the reading. over it, the platform and a small table six inches Leaders were appointed for two-hour periods; high was placed at the front to hold the Bible. they chose three helpers and these four kept the Incense was kept burning according to the Indian reading continuous. Never were there less than custom; flowers were placed beside it by the peo- twelve people present even during the hours after ple who came to hear the reading, a fresh garland midnight. High school boys prepared tea during of flowers was hung over the Cross each morning. the night and saw that no one monopolized the The people sat on the floor, a few following the reading. reading in their own Bibles. Each reader closed his reading by starting the singing of one of the The closing three hours were highly impressive. best loved hymns: Two hundred people collected, sitting on the floor in silence and in rapt attention. The pastor, who From this time henceforth, 0 Lord, I cling to thy feet had read the first five chapters of Genesis, read alone. the last five of Revelation. His voice was full of triumphant emotion as he read those magnificent A waste, barren waste, my life 'til now. words: * Mrs. Marguerite Grove Modak Is the American wife of the Behold I am come quickly; and my reward is with me To render to each man according as his work is. Indian pastor of the Hume Memorial Church, Ahmednagar.
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I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the loved the foreign hymns they had been taught End. from childhood. Indianization was not appre- ciated by the mass of the Indian Church. Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the Tree of Life, Not many missionaries can do more toward put- ting the church in its national setting. than by And may enter in by the Gates of the City. showing their willingness to cooperate in what- ever way the Christians of the land choose'to do it. With the last words, "Amen and Amen," he closed Being a Westerner, I did not warm to th~:Saptaha the Bible. A tremulous sigh of satisfaction was as proposed by the Ahmednagar Churyh. What heard to pass through the crowd. The pastor good could come from reading the geneologies and raised his hands to his face for prayer, and the some of the chapters in which moral delinquency people bowed their heads to the floor. Then one is portrayed? But God gave me the grace to reof the elders came forward with a final garland frain from e~pressing my objections and I folfor the Cross, one for the pastor and others for lowed the Saptaha through, attending four to six retired ,pastors. Here and there people rose and hours a day. I read through in my English Bible came forward, dropping a few flowers on the as I grew tired of following the Marathi, from Bible or placing baskets of sweetmeats before it. Genesis through the Songs of Solomon. Several When all the gifts had been presented the pastor of ,the books were not highly edifying but I got a presented them to God in a dedicatory prayer. telescopic picture of the Hebrew people which I One by one the people came forward, held out had never had before. What Bible student ever their hands, and received a piece of sweetmeat- reads these books through in so short a space of prasad it is called, "the gift of God," a peace of- time? It was a useful event in the life of the fering given to Him and returned by Him to the church and it was gratifying to see so many peopeople, doubly blessed. After the benediction the ple, young and old, listening to the Word of God people retired to the church auditorium to listen and to see the spirit of fellowship engendered in to a bhujan – admonitions and stories sung by the group as they united in this eighty-four-hour one man, accompanied by an orchestra of boys. project.
This is a genuine Indian ceremony adopted for Further, it was a project in Indianization in the Christian purposes in the church. It was adapted people's own way. The form of the Saptaha could from the Hindu practice called Saptaha or "seven have followed more closely the Hindu manner of days of continuous religious exercises." It is cele- having the scriptures expounded verse by verse brated in many ways. Sometimes the people or by singing the scriptures in kirtan where a gather in the dry bed of the river during the hot whole book is sung by one man. season, thousands of them, only repeating the name of the god "Ram" for seven days and nights. There is the matter of hymns in the church- At other times they gather in temples for eight or when one is thinking of Indianization. Any nine hours during seven days to read certain sec- hymn singing is a western innovation in Indian tions of their sacred scriptures as the books are worship. Congregational singing is a special featoo voluminous to be read entire. On these occa- ture of socialized religion. The first hymns used sions usually one man reads a small portion, fol- in India were necessarily translations of western lowed by an explanation. Whatever the form of words with western tunes. Latterly there has been the Saptaha it is followed by Prasad, a gift to God a movement by missionaries to discard them for returned to the people. They feel exalted as they purely Indian compositions. However if the peoeat, even as Christians feel uplifted upon receiv- ple prefer to sing western hymns why should they ing Holy Communion. not do so? It is difficult, if not impossible, to ex- press some qualities of the Christian life by In- A few years ago "Indianization of the Christian dian rhythms and similes; qualities which are Church" was on every missionaries' lips, and 'was peculiar to the Christian heritage, expressing echoed with various degrees of intelligence by such great central truths as distinguish Chris- Indian leaders. Few had very concrete ideas as tianity from the eastern religions, namely, the to how this was to be carried into practice but vicarious suffering of Christ, God's loving Fatherthere was much talk about Indian music and In- hood, forgiveness for sin, the Resurrection, vicdian-composed hymns, about Indianizing church torious faith and the work of the Holy Spirit: architecture. Some carried this to an extreme, the mission of the Church. Indian rhythms and one group of missionaries going so far as to build similes do not express these concepts. "A mighty a small Hindu temple for the worship of God. fortress is our God" – can you imagine those These early attempts of the occidentals to put the words set to any Indian music or that concept put Christian religion in its national setting were not into an Indian simile? And yet American and understood by many Indians. Some older Chris- British Christians would experience a sense of tians felt that they were being led back to Hinduism from which they had recently escaped; others
HOW AN INDIAN CHURCH READ THE BIBLE THROUGH IN ONE DAY
loss if we could not sing it for fear of insulting sionaries, he read a book throughout the service. our nationality! But there are other thought- Finally he withdrew entirely to the great relief of forms that are better expressed in Indian con- his Indian brethren to whom that book was a concepts and rhythms than in English. For ex- stant insult. ample, the hymn, already quoted, badly translated as it is. , An account of the Saptaha was listened to by one missionary with sad shaking of the head The Christian Church in India will ultimately which was equally insulting. "If the reading of settle itself into its national setting as missionary the Bible had been followed by Bible study," he control and influence recede. There was a time said, "it might have been worth while, but what when I believed that missionaries should become good is it merely to read the Bible without undermembers of the Indian churches and take a nor- standing it." Such criticisms of the efforts of the mal part in the church work but since I have church give no encouragement to go on to somejoined the Indian Community I have come to feel thing better. They are sources of great irritation that many churches are not on their own feet suf- to the Indian churches. ficiently to make this either helpful or advisable. There may be more stages in church development Indian employees of the mission naturally find than we had thought. Perhaps there is a stage it difficult to express opinions contrary to those where missionaries should withdraw even from of their employers. A few days ago this comment membership on governing bodies to avoid embar- was made by an Indian clergyman : "The Bishop rassment to Indian church membership. Indian is calling a meeting of his clergy next week but it members must learn to govern their churches as will be the same old experience we always have. they wish. When churches are composed of He sets before us high ideals of service and we sit mostly second- and third-generation Christians quiet and unresponsive. How can we discuss who are rising in the social scale they are ready these things with him? If we tell him that our to carry on their own affairs, even though their people cannot live up to the ideals he expects, he way may not satisfy the western standards of will say that we are not faithful and will soon lose highly trained and privileged missionaries. In his faith in us; then what about our jobs?" This one church where the preaching did not satisfy the fear for the safety of their daily food is one of intellectual and spiritual needs of one of the mis- the greatest hindrances in the way of Indianiza- tion of the church.
A TESTIMONY FROM FOREIGN WAR VETERANS The following is a letter recently sent by the Walter G. Allen Post No. 743, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, to the Rev. R. Park Johnson, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the pastor's departure to take up missionary work in Teheran, Iran. These Veterans, who are often considered militaristic, nationalistic, and irreligious, show appreciation of things truly Christian. The letter reads, in part: "As you sail forth to your new field of Christian work, in Teheran, we wish to herein convey to you the earnest wish of every member of this Post that you and your family may have a pleasant and safe journey. We admire your courage in carrying the message of Christ to distant fields and know your efforts will be productive of good, also, that it is a most important mission. The sooner the whole world embraces, truly, the vital principles and intents of the doctrines of Christ the sooner will peace come. Noone yearns for peace more than the Veteran who has been through the heat of modern battle. And, it is our genuine belief that peace treaties, conferences, and diplomatic delegates thereto, are not the answer or the media to realize it – but rather by the every-day living of the teachings of Christ. It is claimed that, irregardless of races, the blood of all is inherently the same, but there is some virus in the blood stream which causes hatreds and stri.fe; this can only be eliminated by the renovation of the individual. When man treats man like his own brother and follows the Golden Rule of Christ and adopts the attitude of the Maker, in the parable of the Vineyard, respecting the labor of man's hands, will a better understanding come in the world.
"It is needed sorely in every nation, and the good old U.S.A. is not excluded. So you see we place more importance in your mission that we do in some Peace Conference delegates and hence speak for you health, power and fruitful effort in the service of Christ. . . .
"Sincerely yours, "J. R. MORGAN, Commander."
PAUL'S WAYSIDE CATHE'DRAL ON
A Cathedral On Wheels in Ohio 11 By NORMAN R. STURGIS, A.I.A., R.A. II~ THE Episcopal Church of Southern Ohio is should spend or where the Cathedral should be fairly typical of most dioceses in the Middle placed. It would be very difficult to select a si,te West in that the population is very largely which 50 years. from now would be sure to be still suburban, widely scattered in small towns and the proper one for the Cathedral. villages, and the parishes are comparatively small and poor. In Southern Ohio, the Diocese is led by The Bishop conceived the idea of a movable Cathedral which would make itself felt by visiting a Bishop with youthful enthusiasm and with quali- the outlying parishes and make them feel that ties of leadership and vision. they were part of a great organization vitally interested in their welfare. The Diocesan Con- The Cathedral in Cincinnati, bunt shortly after vention in Columbus in April, 1937, most enthuthe Civil War, was not only poor in design, but siastically received this proposal in spite of the was becoming expensive to maintain on account of its age. That part of Cincinnati which it served unique implications. The Aerocar Company was has changed considerably during the past twenty- commissioned to build the trailer along standard five years, with the result that the number of lines structurally similar to the fuselage of an communicants has been steadily declining as the airplane. It is towed by a coupe, into the rear outlying suburban parishes increased. In other deck of which the nose of the trailer is fastened words, the Cathedral, in the Bishop's opinion, had so that all road shocks are cushioned on air. The outlived its usefulness. exterior is sheet steel with a backing of Masonite.
The natural solution tOo this problem might have The interior fittings were installed by the been the abandonment of the present Cathedral oldest woodwork manufacturing company in the and the building of a new one in a better location. United States. The walls are covered with walnut This would have meant the raising of a large veneer. The trailer will seat about 25 people, building fund, and even if this had been possible, some accommodated on the seat which runs the Bishop would not have known hOoW much he across the trailer at the front end, and others on [170 ]
A CATHEDRAL ON WHEELS IN OHIO
pews which fold, when not in use, into recesses "This Wayside Cathedral is a symbol of the under the automobile windows. missionary spirit of this Diocese," Bishop Hob- son explained. The sanctuary is at the rear end. The rest of the space on both sides is taken up by storage cup- "Just as this Wayside Cathedral is dedicated to a program of seeking those living without Christ, boards, bookcases, and a hot air heater. The altar and bringing them into His fold, so the Diocese is is movable and for outdoor servkes can be re- ready, through prayers and pledges, to aid the versed in order to face outward through the missionary program of the Church throughout the double rear doors. The carved front panel of the world." altar is removable in order to provide storage space for a Hammond organ console, which can INTERIOR OF THE WAYSIDE CATHEDRAL be wheeled out into the body of the .coach. A One of the Cathedral projects, sound movies, portable standard mkrophone is carried. received special praise at the various meetings. Provisions are made in the forward end for the This use of sound movies in the missionary pro- gram marks a forward movement in the Church's storage of a moving picture projector, and for this plan to strengthen missionary and religious eduand the organ 110 vol,t outlets are available which cation through visual education. can be connected to any available current source Outdoor services preceded the regional meetthrough an extension cable. The circuit also feeds ings, and demonstrated there was a great opporindirect tubular lamps installed in the cove of the tunity of reaching persons in this way that other- wise would not have been touched by the Church. cornice. The coach can be lighted by six-volt ceiling fixtures fed by an auxiliary battery carried in the deck of the tow car.
Ordinarily the Cathedral is accompanied by a clergyman in general charge and two or three as- sistants representing missions, religious educa- tion, social service, and evangelism. Exhibits of the activities of all diocesan departments will be carried in the storage space provided.
All the windows are plain glass with the excep- tion of two small fixed openings closest to the altar which are filled with stained glass panels.
One of these depicts St. Paul as a teacher, and the other St. Paul as a preacher. .
Every effort has been made to make the Cathedral primarily an efficient and" dignified expression of what Bishop Hobson feels is a new trend in the Episcopal Church. It is not so much a church on wheels as it is a mobile headquarters designed for modern needs.
"St. Paul's Wayside Cathedral" completed its first missionary tour in Southern Ohio and indi- cations are that this new Christian adventure will be decidedly successful. With the Wayside Cathedral went a team of missionary speakers to four regions of Southern Ohio as a follow-up to the recent General Convention.
"God's love puts a new face on this weary old world, in which we dwell as pagans and enemies too long. . . . Love will accomplish, by imperceptible methods – being its own ful- crum, lever and power – that which force could never achieve. Have you not seen in the woods, on a late autumn morning, a plant without any solidity – one that seemed nothing but a soft jelly – by its constant and gentle pushing manage to break its way up through the frosty ground, and actually to lift hard crust on its head? This is the symbol of the power of loving kindness. Once or twice in history love has been tried in illustrious instances, with signal success. Our great overgrown dead Christendom still keeps alive at least the name of a love of mankind. If men will become true lovers of God and of their fellow men, then every calamity will be dissolved in the universal sunshine of God's love."
Missions in a Realistic
By REV. HOWELL D. DAVIES, Chicago, Illinois Regional Secretary, Missions Council of the Congregational and Christian Churches Secularism of its frontier work in terms of what it will have .to do with these same new forces: Scientific ag- T HE life that now is, existence on earth, is the nosticism, mater1alistic determinism, political all-absorbing interest of most men individ- Fascism, and moral iconoclasm." ually and nationally. The market is dull for the chief commodities of missions-God and per- The effect on missions is deadly. If this ma- terial life is all, then only fools will do anything sonality values. but labor for mammon! All programs not in line A ruthless realism is upon us-even in missions with a selfish struggle for existence will seem both itself, for some would cut off all support to any futile and wrong as not in harmony with so-called enterprise that cannot attain self-support on "nature." To help the weak, to serve the under- schedule time. (1) Science is "pope." Facts, privileged, to enlighten the ignorant, to raise the their classification, physical forces and their ap- status of those whom nature has placed low, to plication are paramount – all for a program of spread love and tender consideration and to recogphysical enrichment, good enough in itself. Air.;. nize personality constitute an unlawful insurrec- conditioning has it all over soul conditioning. tion against the Brahmin order of material privi- (2) Biological necessity, with survival of the lege and rebellion against the God of things as fittest, is the cry. The first article in the new they are. Congregational creed is larger Congregational How do missions meet this challenge of secular- families. Horace Bushnell's thesis of the outpop- ism? The basis of Christian missionary work is ulating power of the Christian stock is taken from wholly different-personality and God-not mat- the attic, dusted off and put on the mantel for ter. Property rights are secondary to personal consideration. Thus are super-men and super- welfare and our relation to God. Persons are imnations developed. Put your money on blooded portant everywhere and must be recognized and stock in the struggle against all scrub stock. developed. Human individuals are creation's goal (3) It is felt futile to interfere with the work- and crown. The world can only be more and more ing of natural forces. Let them have their way. a madhouse as this is progressively forgotten.
What must be will be. At bottom more people Therefore, children have the right to be well-born are fatalists than we imagine. The world turns to physical, mental and spiritual development the on its physical axis, its instinct axis, its psycho- world over, not less in India than in America.
logical axis, and its social axis, and what can we Women have equal personal rights with men. do about it? (4) Marxian dialetical materialism Men of humble estate are entitled to respect and is widespread – even outside of Russia, though not to be exploited for the enrichment of the more otherwise labeled. History is the story of the powerful; none are to be regimented as subinterplay of material forces – nothing else. (5) personal units for the glorification and so-called There is precious little apocalypticism or other- success of any State, political system or social worldliness today. Heaven as a compensation, an scheme. Christ's mission was to turn the world escape or a model is little known. "Henceforth upside down so that it may be right-side up.
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" Every crown and throne must perish until perand "Father into thy hands I commend my spirit" sonalityas such "wears the purple." Missions is are but the pallid straw-grasping op.timism of ,the symbol of the assurance that the world will beaten souls. (6) The material world itself has finally be adjudged sane. become spiritual. Atoms are miniature solar sys- The goal of missionary work is to create Christtems or whirligigs of electrons around protons. like manhood and character, the ethical and spir- Electricity has become the father of our spirits. itual completion of the unfinished personality. So, what shall we do to be saved? Plainly, become Characters, self-controlled, right-motived and electrically minded. A Christian Chinese profes- well-willed are .the chief ends rather than their sor wrote Robert E. Speer: "Christianity must economic or social rights. Being, not having, ignore the incapacitated ethnic religions and think with Jesus Christ as exemplar, is the goal.
[172 ] This work is based on love as the ultimate cording to the blueprints of the future, while sec- arbiter and dynamic, not biological warfare. We ularism still follows the plans of the primitive see scant hope in the loveless socialism of Russia man of the past. Missions believes a better man as it makes for class war. The best hope is an can be built in India, in Africa, in China and in order where the Christ-like impulse is to share the uttermost part of the earth.
rather than grabbing one's share, individually, or ,-Secularism prolongs selfishness. Missions pro- groupwise. When a delegate at the Conference motes the highest and the most needed unselfish- at Lake Geneva defended the American Legion ness-world neighborliness, fully as important as and said, "We live in a world of reality," the home neighborliness.
speaker replied: "The basic reality of the world Secularism sees no forces at work but the secis not fear and hate but love." Christian love is a ular, the common instincts of man, cultured aspower. Love is wise. Love can help the weak piration and imitation, the general increase in without weakening society. It can direct strength knowledge, the occasional shocking into new realfrom destructive to constructive ways. izations, the continual working of expediency, Secularism is selfish and deteriorating. F. W. action and reaction, thesis, antithesis and synthe- Robertson, of Brighton, in his Advent sermon on sis, etc. This is humanism. Missions witnesses the Roman as the secular type, says: to the working of an outside force. It perceives And whatsoever is only of this earth is destined to de- something beyond natural evolution at work. It cay. The soul of the Roman, bent on this world's affairs, notes redemptive evolution. Missions does not became secularized, then animalized, and so at last, when wait for the untouchables to have a remote chance there was little left to do, pleasure became his aim, as it to drift upward but takes them by the hand and had been the Grecian's. Then came ruin swiftly. by the Power of Christ gives them a certain lift If the things of this world are our only posses- upward here and now. How long would it have sion, we will naturally pursue them avidly, hold taken the Fiji Islanders to rise naturally from them tenaciously and release them reluctantly- ciimibalism? In the New Hebrides, John G.
so reluctantly that war may issue. It is increas- Paton, as an agent of redemptive regeneration, ingly dangerous to be worldly as the unappro- led savages upward. "Missions" implies being priated part of the world becomes smaller. If sent and also a sending Person. This brings in all having is all, then the "have-nots" will ever those empowerings from outside that go with a scheme to be among the "haves" and the "haves" soul attachment to Jesus Christ in the effort to will ever scheme to hold. We blame much the ac- be like Him. Japanese secularism makes the la- quisitive instinct, but it will be strengthened boring man a hopeless slave. Kagawa, as a Chris- rather than otherwise by a continuing secularistic tian redemptive force, entered upon the scene and philosophy. The central idea of missions is shar- organized the labor movement. Likewise good ing what God has given, rather than shearing, and Christian women applied redemptive love to the giving rather than getting. This is based on the white slaves of Japan. "Christianity lives and idea that there are spiritual values greater than thrives only as long as its apostles and ministers the secular. It is more important to be just than are heroic adventurers," says E. Stanley Jones.
to get one's just share, to be sainted than to be The challenge of secularism is particularly stim- sated, to be inspired than to be amused, to be Ulating because it comes from the Christian scien- great rather than to be comfortable, to be bound tific countries. Let us keep our churches from to a cause rather than to be free from all obliga- opportunism and secularism by making them tion, "to be a miserable man than a happy pig," centers of "redemptive love."
to feel restive over the precariousness of other Social Emphasis in Missions lives than to feel rested in the midst of one's own security, to have an outgoing hear,t rather than an "Rugged individualism" in religion, as in com- ingrowing provincialism, to work for the future munity life, is discounted. This bears on mis- good of all rather than to grasp all possible pres- sions. Is the missionary movement to be over- ent good for oneself alone. shadowed by the general social program? Is Secularism studies a great textbook, "Material sociology to supplant evangelism? Is the world Nature," but neglects the higher post-graduate to be saved simply by spreading the cooperative study of human nature in its deeper aspects, and movement? Shall we concentrate on peace, race especially its deepest aspects as found in Jesus relations and economic justice and consider the Christ. Missions inquires of the mind – not of winning of men to Christ and His program an the cave man, the Demas-man, the Epicurean man outdated program?
or the Cresar-man, but of the mind of Christ in Missionary work has always had a social em- casting its horoscope of the future man. Christian phasis. William Carey, who went to India in missions would build more stately mansions ac- 1793, fought suttee with all his might, and the proclamation abolishing it was issued in 1829. trial and economic order, and revolutionize it, Alexander Duff founded educational missions. humanize it, Christianize it. To the expansion of Livingstone was a medical missionary and threw Missions is now added this intensification. Mishis might against the slave trade. Social work sionaries, as naturally alert, sense all this. They became an early necessity of every pioneer mis- helped end the Belgian Congo injustices, are worksion, for it was obviously impossible to "save" the ing on rural reconstruction, adult education, and ignorant, the diseased, the destitute, by mere welfare work. Emphasis is being laid less on evangelism. Dr. Peter Parker opened China to ameliorative work and more on rebuilding the sothe Gospel at the point of his lancet in 1834. cial fabric. But more is needed and quickly. And Joseph H. Neesima established the Doshisha Uni- Dr. D. J. Fleming warns, "when it comes to speversity in Japan in 1874-the year after the edicts cific programs of social and economic reconstrucforbidding Christianity were removed. Alex- tion the missionary enterprise in the church can ander Mackay was a great mechanic missionary, scarcely go furthe;r than the church itself." So it engineer, builder, physician and surgeon under is the church at home that decides how much so- King Mtesa in Uganda. Cyrus Hamlin, in Turkey, cial action can be done on the mission field. invented the modern washing-machine, with a revolving beer-barrel, to launder the vermin-in- There is also need of developing our home fested clothing of British soldiers in Crimea when churches socially. A 50% church cannot send a the washerwomen of Constantinople would not 10070 Gospel abroad. A church without a social touch them. The three volumes by Dr. Alfred passion has a lame enterprise that cannot walk. Dennis on "Christian Missions and Social Prog- This does not mean that the church must be comress" are an encyclopedic account of how mis- mitted to a particular economic theory, especially sions have been working on all social fronts since if untried, though it should unhesitatingly conthe beginning. This is going on today. Note demn all that is unbrotherly in social relations and Wolsted's farmers' cooperatives in India, Higgin- insist on that order which is plainly Christian. bottam's silo system for famines, Laubach's lit- There is need of developing a new type of indieracy campaign, Ray Phillips' social work among vidual Christian. There may be debate as to how the Bantu, and Mt. Silinda Industrial Mission, much social action the church as an organization medical missions, Kagawa's cooperatives, schools should undertake, but there can be none as to the everywhere. Modern missionary work promotes greater socialization of the individual member by community enterprise. enlarging his horizons, reducing his provincial- ism, getting his mind off himself more and de- The social emphasis is a part of the Gospel of veloping his imaginative capacity to put himself China. "Bear ye one another's burdens." The in the place of others so that he can better pracbook of James is against a selfish, individualistic tice the Golden Rule. Gospel. The four Gospels are full of social implications. And there is call for newer applications "We Preach not America but Christ" of them to newly industrialized centers on the mission fields. Slums, exploitation, wages and So pressing is the social question that we are working conditions, are vital questions. The Gos- told that we had better make America more Chrispel should everywhere befriend the oppressed, tian before trying to convert India and China; seek to promote justice and to provide all privi- that our race prejudice, economic injustice and leges implied in men's status as children of God. militarism and imperialism invite the taunt, "Phy- The Jerusalem Council of 1928 urged "the neces- sician, heal thyself" and hamstring our efforts sity of a comprehensive program for those larger abroad. On this principle of making the sending sections of the population in any country who country thoroughly Christian first the Gospel labor for mankind in field or factory and who . . . would never have left Judea and Galilee where are without many of the conditions necessary for there were all of the evils that afflict America. that abundant life which our God and Father de- Noland at any time can be fully Christian. Moresires for all His children." The National Chris- over, it is provincial and egotistical to assume that tian Council of China has for 10 years had an America's example can settle all world affairs. active committee on Christianizing economic rela- An educated East Indian who objected to lynchtions. The National Christian Council of India, ing was asked if he would became a Christian if Burma and Ceylon resolved as far back as 1924 it were abolished, and replied, "Never. What you to inaugurate "a study of industrial conditions in do with the Negroes in America is your own prob- India with a view to creating a more vigorous lem. We shall have to solve ours along our own public opinion and advancing Christian standards lines. The genius of our country lies in some kind in regard to industrial reform." A leading Jap- of caste organization. We shall stick to that." anese missionary says the missionaries are chal- War cannot cease in America until it ceases all lenged "to come to grips with the existing indus- over the world. We preach not America but Christ to people everywhere. America will not show itself Christian until it helps other nations. Prince Albert and stove-pipe hat preaching the It is simply not true that the Gospel is not mak- creation of the world in six literal days to nearing progress in the Orient because of the sins of nudist natives who are skeptical because they the West. The church in India made a 32.5 '1'0 could not make even a canoe in less than two gain in a decade, 20 '1'0 being from other faiths. weeks. Over against all such we can put the judg- ment of first-hand able observers. The missions cause is helped by the Christian social emphasis. The more the church at home is Robert Louis Stevenson said, "I suppose I am concerned to bring about social righteousness in in the position of many persons. I had conceived America the more welcome will its representatives a great prejudice against missions in the South be in India and among all nationals working for Seas. I had no sooner come there than that prejuthe betterment of their own country. The more dice was reduced, and then at last annihilated." socially minded we are, the more missionary He regarded James Chalmers of N~w Guinea as minded we will be, for the missionary program "a man that took one fairly by storm for the most is surcharged with the social emphasis. World attractive, simple, brave and interesting man in friendship will be furthered by every form of na- the whole Pacific"! tional brotherhood. The fact is that in social emphasis' the church at home has yet to catch up When Darwin saw the work among the Indians with the missionary cause. And, too, the social of Tierra del Fuego, he said, "I certainly should action enthusiasts can find plenty of outlets and have predicted that not all the missionaries in the channels for their energies through any estab- world could have done what has been done." lished missionary society. On the other side, the social emphasis can enrich the program of the Ex-President Taft could not praise too highly missionary society and thereby interest more local the missionary work he observed in ,the Philipchurch people in it. Social justice is one of the pines when he was governor. first outcomes of the missionary message. E. Alexander Powell (author and traveler) But with all the social emphasis we do not for- said: "I have observed the results of their labors get that the fundamental objective of missions is in every great field of evangelistic endeavor and to extend faith and devotion to Christ and the fel- it angers me to hear missionaries and their work lowship among Christians in all the world. condemned."
Criticism of Missions The Governor of Bengal reported: "In my judgment the Christian missions have done more This is nothing new. It is naive to suppose that lasting good to the people of India than all other all went swimmingly until the "Laymen's Inquiry" agencies combined." was launched. The East India Company refused passage to missionaries and stigmatized missions Chas. A. Selden says: "After 30,000 miles of as the most fantastic and lunatic idea that ever en- travel and something like 300 interviews, my tered the human mind. Ridicule was common. prejudices gave way to great respect for the mis- Typical was the attitude of the early Massachu- sionaries and their work." setts senator who said: "Here you propose to export religion, whereas there is none to spare at Wm. Boyd, Advertising Manager of the Curtis home." A list of objections a century back is Publishing Co., wrote: "I believe that every dolalmost identical with what is heard today, inti- lar invested in foreign missions has produced mating that we have so many needs at home, that greater returns than any dollar invested in any we should not interfere with the religions of human enterprise." others, and that their own religion is best suited to them; that missions are paternalistic and pau- 2. There are criticisms of ardent nationalists, perizing; that foreign peoples should help them- like Gandhi who object to proselyting. Should selves; that we shouldn't meddle and disturb courtesy keep us from offering the Gospel, therethose already contented; that they do not want fore, in India? No, for it can be offered without us anyway; that missionaries cause trouble; that objectionable proselyting. Moreover, the Gospel they destroy native culture; that they are all is not one culture displacing another and it beagents of American imperialism. longs no more to America, England, or France than to India itself. The Gospel has no less right We can classify criticisms. 1. There are those of way than science, commerce or education. It hostile to Christianity itself. People who see no will help India's true nationalism in the higher value in the Gospel will see no value in missions. sense. It is doubtful if many, if any, Hindus re- Such a playas "Rain" and such articles as those gard their religion as for others. in the American Mercury ridiculing missions in the South Seas are only caricatures like that of (3) Those ignorant of the whole idea. All ob- Jack London who pictures a missionary in a jections based on misconceptions are invalid. On any such theory all life would stop, for there is nothing against which objections based on igno- rance are not directed. Both Democrats and Re- publicans will tell you this. Prejudice being the thing that begins where your information leaves off, no enterprise should halt for just that. Pre- verdict was: "The mission must go on and there sumably it is those who take the Gospel and those is enough in its program to bankrupt Christendom who receive it who are most competent to judge if we try to do all that is, calling to be done." of it. None apparently are dissatisfied with the article sold them and want to return it. Rather In brief, most negative criticisms of missions they recommend it to their friends as something are, at bottom, ratio.nalizations of prejudice, ignosuperior to what they have had before. The Jap- rance or selfishness. Mission work welcomes inanese list six points of superiority of Christianity vestigation, knowing this means vindication and to Buddhism. God, as personal. God seeking men. interest. Worse than to be criticized is to. be The sense of personality. Practical, convenient ignored, and most of all to be ignored by church Scriptures. A superlative ethical sense. Social people. But it may be safely said that missions justice and service. cannot and will not be ignored by those who know the God who is the God of all the earth and not (4) There are the criticisms of those who judge the God of a tribe., whether it be a family tribe, a everything by a single unfortunate detail, such as community tribe or a national tribe. an ignorant o.r tactless missio.nary, an unwise local policy, a bungled program, a wasted dollar. Pessimism and Optimism Judged by this standard, "Who or what, 0 Lord, shall stand anywhere"? One poor farmer is not There is doubtless some on the mission field itsufficient to condemn agriculture, a poor preacher self, where difficulties are o.bstinate and results the ministry, a fake mining scheme the whole min- are slow. But this is nothing new. Moriso.n, ing enterprise, a poor student flunk all education, waiting 7 years for the first convert, said, "0 nor a quack doctor the whole medical profession. rock, when wilt thou break?" Livingstone was appalled at the prospect of trying to. heal the open (5) The lawsez-faire objections of those who sore of the world. Henry Martyn said that if a want things left alone-all forces and factors, to high caste Hindu were ever converted, it Wo.uld work out themselves. But laissez-faire never be as great a miracle as if one were to rise from built a school, founded a hospital, or developed a the dead. Yet the rock did break, the sore is belighting plant and water system at a conference ing healed, and the dead do rise. But the pescamp. The consistent laissez-faire critic will simism on the field is small. recognize Christianity as a force with the same rights as any other force. There is too often pessimism at ho.me (1) among church leaders who see receipts fall over (6) The cro.ss-fire based on the idea that we 50% and, worse, who see anti- or non-missionary have only a social Gospel to offer and that nearly pastors; (2) among pastors who face hostile, proevery effort is o.f a political scheming sort, gate- vincial church officers and callous unimaginative crashing and imperialistic, the work of reactio.n- members; (3) among lay leaders of heart and ary, self-centered or even villainous denomina- visio.n who vainly attempt education, organization tional Boards. The answer is that the motive and and appeal; (4) among men, especially, who are movement o.f missions are lo.ve and friendship, crushed by the belligerent, caustic, cynical o.Pposihowever inadequate be the channels through tion of their fellows. which it flows. The earthen vessel is only too apparent but in it is the treasure o.f divine redemp- Pessimism is not so bad if it sends us to God, tion. and if, Moses-like, it feels the support of the Aaron o.f truth on the one side and of the Hur o.f love on (7) The criticisms o.f uninformed and selfish the other. There is an eternal difference between church people. Education, persistent and kindly, the discouragement of those who. yearn and toil can help the former and more Christian grace the for the Kingdom and that of the quitters who latter. The trouble is to connect information and have given it all up. If we must abide in the love with these parties. All that can be said for shadow, it is better to abide in the shadow of the the Gospel itself can be said for missions, and cross of crucified love than in that of the palace shall it not be said? There is a sufficient answer of a selfish, materialistic, disillusioned, cynical to every criticism honestly and sincerely proffered. Cresar. But better than all answering of objections is an infusion of Christlike love. Our great need is to Missionary work finds much to encourage: make mo.re church members into Christians. (1) The Gospel is spreading o.ver all the world, (8) The criticisms of sincere friends of the so. that nearly o.ne-third of the people of the world cause. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." All constructive criticism can do only good. The are at least nominally Christian with every proscause most to be pitied is the o.ne that has lost the capacity to criticize itself. The church of the 16th pect of continuance. On the foreign field it has century was saved by the self-criticism of Prot- had a perio.d of remarkable expansion in this cenestantism. And this goes for missions too. The tury. Between 1907 and 1925 the number of mis- sionaries increased from 12,000 to 20,000, the number of communicants from 1,800,000 to. 3,000,- 000, and the total Christian community from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000. There are doubtless cycles one denomination more is contributed by native in missions and we now see a slowing up. This Christians abroad than by all living donors at may be good by diverting us from superficial sta- home. The China Inland Mission called for 200 tistical missions and compelling us to go deeper new missionaries and got them and the money to before we go further and getting the church in other lands to strike its roots deeper both in the send them. spiritual life of its individual members and in its (3) A great ally is the spread of the cooperatransforming power in its local community. Prof. Schermerhorn, of Evanston, says, "Christianity's tive idea. Truly some of it is on the low plane of growth is characterized by periodicity, with ex- cooperating for cost reductions, but much of it is pansion and arrest. Now is a ,time for a mora- for helping the needy. torium on statistics and attention to inner life rather than outward expansion." (4) Jesus of Nazareth is today gripping the heart of youth and of new groups everywhere. (2) The work is holding up well despite the de- His Gospel is seen as the practical need of the pression, benevolences falling little more (54'1'0 to world. He is the great Social Engineer who can 40 %) than current expense. Total giving to For- reverse the stream of life from selfishness to shareign Missions in North America fell only from ing and service. $Z8,523,939 in 1929 to $27,164,572 in 1931. In (5) This is God's program; Christ Jesus has promised to be with us in the enterprise and He cannot and will not fail.
Is Islam Awakening?
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., Princeton, New Jersey Editor of "The Moslem World"
T HERE is "in the Arabic-speaking Near East truths of Christianity will in the long run even a strong religious, ethical, and social revival there prevail." Such judgment may be prophetic of Islam," says Dr. Kampfmeyer, "and this but it is undoubtedly premature.
revived Islam is taken to be the basis of a renewed Islam faces a crisis in the lands where once it national life." His conclusion is that "the conver- was dominant. Its efforts in India and Africa sion of an Islamic community to the Christian "remind one of those sparse green twigs some- faith is now impossible." The conclusions of Dr. times still appearing at the extreme ends of half- Kampfmeyer have been challenged, however, by dried-up boughs in trees whose core has for long Dr. Arthur Jeffrey, a leading Christian Oriental- been decaying from old age." ist in Cairo who states that "his picture is entirely out of perspective and omits all the important fac- In Turkey Islam suffers by being viola.ted in its tors." Last year's report of the Board of Foreign own bosom; in Russia from Soviet persecution; Missions of the Presbyterian Church says: "There and in Persia from a revolt against the Arabic is now abundant evidence that the religion of language and tradition. Mustapha Kemal raised Islam is slowly disintegrating." . . . great expectations, but Ataturk turned out a bit- ter disappointment for all Moslems. The disen- The collapse of the caliphate and the failure of chantment was cruel but complete. The high all attempts to revive it would lead to the conclu- hopes fixed on Ibn Saud to revive the caliphate sion that Pan-Islamism is dead. The policy of the were blasted. The Moslem World Conference new government in Turkey and the complete sec- proved a failure and none of the resolutions was ularization of the republic points in the same di- carried out. Professor C. C. Berg speaks of "derection. The Turkish press utters severe judgment structive forces that are at work against Islam on Islam and its Prophet, while one by one the old all over the world." sanctions and customs of religion are publicly dis- carded. A few years ago a British official of high The geographical expansion of Islam in Africa standing actually wrote to me: "Islam as we once has been exaggerated and the latest statistical sur- knew it is dead in Turkey, it is dying in Persia, it vey shows a smaller proportion of Moslems to has ceased to carry real weight in Egypt, it may nearly every area in North-central Africa. Dr.
survive some generations in Arabia, but the basic Deaville Walker wrote recently: "Within a comparatively short time, we pictured of Ramadhan is being less and less faithfully kept. great pagan populations being rapidly Islamized. Are the uniting forces that remain, the Arabic I am convinced that the position is wholly differ- language and culture, the sense of brotherhood, ent today. Careful personal investigation in the press and Al Azhar of Egypt-are these forces Sierra Leone and Mendeland, the Gold Coast and strong enough to counteract the disintegrating Ashanti, Nigeria, and in the French ·colonies and factors? Will the progressive secularization of protectorates of Dahomey, Togo,and the Ivory Moslem life rob all life from the religion of Islam? Coast, have made it very clear to me that the ad- Will .the waning of the Dervish orders and their vance of Islam is being definitely checked, and suppression, as in Turkey, continue? that today we are winning far more Africans to the faith of Chris·t than the Moslems are winning A careful study of all these questions leads to for their Prophet. Startling as this may sound, the belief that, as a cultural and even as a political force, there is yet a future for Islam, but as a I believe it to be absolutely true." religious force the future does not look promising. Islam has been severely wounded in the house of What elements in Islam are today resurgent-:: its friends. The younger Egyptian modernists, Does Mohammedan law or jurisprudence any instead of building carefully on the foundations longer prevail under the new nationalism and the of reform laid by Jamal-al Din-al Afghani and new state? Or has the purely Islamic-governed the great Mohammed 'Abdu, have ruthlessly state disappeared even in Arabia and Afghani- undermined what remained intact. Mansur stan? Fahmi, in his doctor's thesis, proved that Islam was progressively responsible for the degradation Has the social structure of Islam withstood the of womanhood. Dr. Taha Housain raised a storm feminist movement and female education any- of hostility by a book proving that much of early where? Can we seriously speak of "resurgent Islamic literature was a forgery fabricated to prop forces" as regards polygamy, slavery, concubi- up the Koran and tradition. The story of Abranage, and the seclusion of womanhood? Was the ham and Ishmael building the Kaaba is all fiction. suppression of the age-old Moharram celebrations in Persia a sign of vitality in Islam? Is the reli- When ,the best thinkers in Islam accept an hongion of Islam showing a new vitality when three est historical research of all her spiritual property of its "five pillars" are crumbling? The daily it will mean a revelation of bankruptcy. "When prayers are no longer observed as they were ten the foundations are destroyed, what can the rightyears ago. The number of pilgrims to Mecca, in eous do? Only the real gold, the theistic spiritual spite of new facilities by motor-bus and steam- values of Islam, will be able to withstand the heat ships, has dwindled from 250,000 to 80,000. of this inevitable furnace. Mecca is losing its importance and the annual fast The Movement for World Christianity -'-e!ill By PROF. JULIUS RICHTER, D.D., Berlin, Germany 1l!Jt-·- THE "Foreign Missions Inquiry" of 1932 in friends if I, as an outsider who for fifty years has two directions has aroused a far-reaching eagerly watched the missionary movement in interest. On one side there has been a defi- Europe and America, present my objective estinite division of opinions with regard to the doc- mate of the situation. trinal points developed in the first four chapters of "Re-Thinking Missions." They have been re- After a nation-wide propaganda for their manigarded as a manifesto of liberal Christianity or of festo, "Re-Thinking Missions," our modernist a new modern type of foreign missions. The well friends, in May, 1935, started a "Modern Missions established conservative Christian leaders have in Movement." As this first start was not too sucdecisive terms declined to follow this new move. cessful, perhaps in connection with some awkward This clarion call of the conservative group was a criticisms on both sides, they changed their leadchallenge to the liberals to develop their views. ing committee and now call themselves "The This has gone on actively for the last four years. Movement for World Christianity." They pub- It may be of some interest to my American lish a quarterly, "World Christianity," in the form of a digest. Two other periodicals, the Christian
THE MOVEMENT FOR WORLD CHRISTIANITY
Century and Christendom, are opening their files cognition and on feeling; they are the positive to statements of their views. The foreign secre- attachments which the soul must win toward what tary of the Congregational Foreign Boards, Hugh is supersensible and real; 'they are its hold on Vernon White, has also written "A Theology for God. And enter, this conscious demand-which Christian Missions" to lay a broad theological specifies an active historical church as an organ foundation for such modern concepts. For their of individual religion-marks a difference between Executive Committee they have a panel of leaders Christianity and any other of the great religions. like Dr. Douglas Horton, Dr. E. C. Lobenstine, Bishop William Scarlett, Dean Luther Weigle and We do not enter into a theological discussion of Miss Ruth Woodsmall. The various theological the merits or demerits of these and similar points views of this group renders an objective survey of view. We only state that though Dr. White of the situation difficult. No very clear line of and Prof. Hocking acknowledge at least the superdemarcation in the theological camp is now vis- sensible God and Jesus Christ as His interpreter, ible. Yet there is a strong group of theological they leave out many points which we of the conliberals whose views are expressed in Prof. Archi- servative group would regard as indispensable and bald Baker's "Christian Missions and a New fundamental-the self-revelation of Almighty God World Culture," Dr. Hugh Vernon White's "A in the continuous scheme of redemption; Jesus Theology of Christian Missions," and Prof. Wil- Christ as God's only begotten Son and not only liam E. Hocking's "Evangelism." our teacher and companion but our Lord; the atonement through His death on the cross; His Professor Baker's view of the "world in two bodily resurrection and our hope of a similar flats" – a transcendant superworld above our resurrection; the objective reality of the Spirit sense-world-is out of question. There is here no of God and His work within the Church; the two room for the self-revelation of Almighty God. sacraments as pledges of divine grace; the glori- He believes in a continuous process of creative ous consummation of the Kingdom of God in the evolution. We as Christians are convinced that parusia of the Lord. It is of no use to enter into we have in Jesus Christ the highest form of reli- a discussion about them; we do not share them gion, and claim the right to share this with other by theological or philosophical principle. Yet it nations. Prof. Baker claims that the old form of is very important, perhaps decisive, to keep in missions is passed and that now we must exchange mind that not all members of the "Movement for contributions with other religions. World Christianity" share such radical theologi- cal views. Dr. White states that modern missions began a theological point of view which has now been radi- We have had in Holland as well as, in Germany cally transformed. He raises the question: Is a similar wave of liberal missionary movements, there truth in the realm of religion? And says in the Netherlands in the midst of last century, that the answer can no longer be made in terms in Germany fifty years ago. For both cases the of an alleged divine revelation, or of the authori- overwhelming mass of missionary people have detative word of a Church. It must be found in the clined the neology and. those societies and boards nature of religion itself and in the interpretation which stood fast for the Biblical Gospel came out of religious experience. He believes. that the victorious from the contest. We are deeply conquestion is not, therefore, whether truth is to be vinced that at the end the same result will be apfound only in Christianity, but whether Christian- parent in America, too. But in a curious way at ity has some fundamental truth which will be present in the U. S., the question of modernism in found adequate and which is not in any other re- missions is closely connected with a thorough-goligion. He conceives this truth to be that the ing change in the missionary background at home life of active trust in God and love for all men is and abroad. There are four important factors eternally right and represents the purpose of God which more or less deeply influence the missionary for mankind. That truth Jesus lived and is and activities of the ch.urches. The first is the dethis life pattern Christian missionaries are seek- plorable dwindling of the income of the foreign ing to implant in men. mission boards. The American Missionary Con- ference is publishing regularly in its year-book a Prof. Hocking stresses the view that our mod- financial survey. From living donors these boards ern evangelism must be modern and embody the in 1930-that is in the first year of the disastrous abiding essence of Christianity contained in the depression – received $33,131,245; in 1935 this four words: repent, believe, love, enter. Repent income had dwindled to $18,543,329. This shrinkthat is – bow decisively and whole-heartedly to ing is even more evident if we look at some of the God instead of worshipping a false God, placing greatest foreign boards: some creature (such as science) in the place of the Creator. Believe and love, these two demands From living donors the Methodist Episcopal go together; they are the requirements placed on Foreign Board and the closely connected Women's
Board received $4,945,987 in 1930 and $2,483,771 the younger churches. They want and in many in 1935. The Presbyterian Church, North, re- cases need full autonomy. And the old churches ceived $3,339,918 and $2',030,967 in those same are quite willing to give them all they want. Yet years. So it is more or less with all foreign mis- after all the membership of these younger sion boards, a loss of from 30 to 45 per cent of the churches is representing only from five to one income they could command eight years ago. The per cent or even only one per mille of the non- Presbyterian Board, North, in 1929, had an in- Christian population. The baptized constituency come of $7,527,079, and in 1935 hardly more than of the Protestant Churches may be between four two million dollars. It is evident that that neces- and six hundred million souls against one billion sitates a thorough-going reduction of the expense, four hundred million non-Christans, so that there and the inability to send out necessary recruits, is the danger of their reabsorption, and their miscrippling of the budgets of one mission after an- sionary vigor, in spite of such wonderful achieveother, perhaps giving up whole fields. Of course ments as the Kin~om of God Campaign in Japan it needs the most careful deliberations in every and the Five-Year Movement in China, is lacking missionary committee how best to adjust to this or intermittent. changed condition, and to prevent the life nerves of the missionary enterprise from being damaged How, then, shall the Prote~tant missionary or ruined. movement go on? What ways and methods of cooperation between the older and the younger The second fact is the radically changing en- churches should and can be developed? vironment of the missionary movement. In the nineteenth century foreign missions were advanc- There is no question that the younger genera- tion in almost all countries is not in agreement ing on the crest wave of a rising tide. There was and sympathy with the traditional lines of Church a general culture hunger in the non-Christian work either at home or abroad. In Germany and countries. They were eager to assimilate as thor- in some other countries a glowing nationalism has oughly and as fast as possible the achievements got hold of them and is sweeping the millions in of Europe and America. The missionaries were its flowing ardor. In Russia communism has been able to generate a similar enthusiasm for social regarded as the most appropriate and the most justice. In America, men like the President of welcome teachers of the new era. Christianity Princeton University, who are able to feel the was rightly or wrongly regarded as the richest pulse of the younger generation, tell me that there exponent of that highly developed modern civ- is a good deal of real and sound enthusiasm, but ilization. This situation, as everybody knows, is it is not in line with traditional churchism and radically changed. In the old "Christian" coun- with the slogans of the missionary movement a tries, secularism is raising its ugly head. In generation ago. Dr. Charles' Fahs writes: "To Russia, atheism is the watchword of the day. In be sure, certain of those of the post war, and now Germany, one non-Christian school or philosophy specially of the depression, generations do not is emerging after another. In France, govern- really know or seemingly greatly care what is ment and masses were estranged from the Church happening of vital significance in missions or anylong ago. Science in almost all branches simply where else. . . . Economic cooperation? Yes. is' glorying in its complete independence from Interracial justice? Yes. International forth- Christian influence. The non-Christian world rightness and fellowship? Yes. World peace? knows this situation. Opposition against real or Yes. Foreign missions? No sure note in the reapparent imperialism of European or American plies now." This changing outlook of the younger powers, intensified race feeling of nations which generation, of course, is of the utmost significance more or less' feel injured or exploited by EurQpe and importance. It must be carefully studied and or America, a revival of the traditional non-Chris- pondered over. New ways of approach must be tian religions, a definite reassertion of national discovered. On a higher place of theological and pride and superiority feeling, all combine to force philosophical thinking these currents of mind the missionary movement into the background, to must be integrated into a real and living Christian slow down its advance, to hinder the free activity consciousness', as Christianity for two thousand of one agency after the other. Of course, that years has been able to assimilate and integrate means a very careful deliberation again as to what the highest aspirations of different nations. ways and means are at disposal-if methods effective or at least useful a generation ago are ad- Of course, these four facts are not overlooked visable under these changed conditions or if new by the foreign mission boards; there has been for methods have been discovered, perhaps by the years much heart-searching and praying over rapidly advancing electrical technique, such as them. Yet after all, if a new group with a good radio and navy. knowledge of the facts, a vivid interest in the mis- sionary movement, and a burning zeal for the A third fact is the growing independence of
Kingdom of God is taking them up we shall only men, out of their penetrating thinking and their be grateful for any and every contribution they deep insight, have to say. It is the common cause may be able to supply, only that not theological of all Christians in whatever camp, and it is the modernism may confuse the issue. We are fairly clarion call: "Onward, Christian soldiers." We sure that a missionary theology, like that of Dr. must remember our Lord's commission: "Ye shall White, is not furthering the cause. Yet we shall be witnesses unto me unto the utmost part of the always respectfully listen to what whole-hearted earth."
Misery Among Migrant Workers By the REV. MARK A. DAWBER, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council The migrant labor situation is getting worse Texas, also from the dust bowl and drought secevery year. Time was when this was for the most tions of the Dakotas and western Kansas are pourpart a problem of a few foreign-speaking groups, ing into California at an alarming rate and are Mexicans and Filipinos being the major nationali- creating a terrific .problem for the relief agencies. ties. But now it is a general problem, including Most of these migratory families are ineligible for all races and with an increasing number of Ne- local aid because they are unable to meet the regroes, also white farmers who have lost their quirements imposed by state, county, and local farms; or agricultural laborers who until recently authorities. were working regularly on established farms and who themselves had a settled abode. Many factors are contributing to this develop- ing migrant problem, such as the increase in The tragedy of the new migrant movement is farm machinery; the rising tenantry in agriculthat it now includes a large numb~r of persons ture; the continuing drought and dust in the who were accustomed to a home of their own, or middle west. But the chief thing is the movea settled residence; who were home-lovers and ment of certain types of agriculture from the also were citizens of a definite community which southeast and the south to the west. Gerald W. they were helping to build. Thousands of these Johnson, in his recent book, "The Wasted Land," families are now transient, moving around from paints a sordid picture. "It is assuming no great place to place, glad to. get any opportunity that risk of prophecy to say that the end of another ten presents itself for occasional work in the fruit, years will see cotton farming so precarious and vegetable or cotton sections of the West. unprofitable that only victims of due necessity will undertake it." He is writing of the south- California, Oregon and Washington are the east and the south where some twenty-two million states where these migrants are found in the acres of cotton land have been destroyed by wind greatest numbers. A recent survey reveals that and water erosion and by a system of agriculture some fifty thousand people from Arkansas alone that has been recklessly prodigal with the natural moved into California in a year. These are mostly resources, and in particular, the soil. As this tide "share-croppers" who are no longer assured even of soil erosion has developed, so human erosion the precarious existence that "share-cropping" has accompanied it, and the further loss of huhitherto provided in their own state. man resources by migration to the west.
Social conditions among these groups are such The federal and state authorities are doing that the federal authorities are alarmed. Dr. something to improve conditions in the camps and Owen Mills, regional economist for the Farm Se- to make possible a minimum of education and socurity Administration, has just completed an in- cial care for the children of migrants. With the tensive field study in California and reports "a present influx, a greatly enlarged program and large number of families living in miserable leadership is necessary and it is now necessary squatter camps consisting of dirty, torn tents and to arouse the Christian forces in the territory makeshift shacks in a sea of mud." He reports where these migrant problems exist and to solicit also alarming conditions of hunger, privation and the cooperation of pastors and churches to minmisery among the farm workers in the San J oa- ister to these neglected people. Their spiritual quin Valley and other agricultural districts of destitution is even greater than their economic California. extremity.
New migrants from Arkansas, Oklahoma and
Sang-A Christian Dervish*
I 1)1- -e( By the REV. J. CHRISTY',WILSON, D.D., Tabriz, Iran M ANSUR SANG'S life story is unusual. He Teheran. His wife finally left him and Mansur did not know the date of his birth, but it Sang journeyed to Resht as a trader in small was probably a little before 1870. His articles. He got into touch with Christians there father kept sheep and goats, and sold hay and and wished to be~ome a member of the church.
grain in the city of Meshed. His mother was a Before his probation time had elapsed he left Kurd, a descendant of those who were moved by Resht, returned to Teher.an, and later went to Nadir Shah from the western frontier of Iran to Meshed.
the Meshed region. Mansur Sang often said that In the city of his birth Mansur came into touch the blood of Iranian Moslems, Kurds, Zoroas- with the Christian church and with missionaries.
trians, and Arabs ran in his veins. Receiving further instruction, he was finally bap- As a boy he was apprenticed to a butcher and tized and began his career as .a "Christian deralso worked for a time with a gold- and silver- vish." This calling took him on foot or by any smith. At the age of twenty-five he went to transportation he could get, over deserts and Russia where he worked as a day laborer. He mountains, and into almost every part of Ir.an. fell in with Bahais in Bokhara and Samarkand We can give here only a few interesting details and finally went on a pilgrimage to Acca, where of his career.
he remained for two years. He was at last per- How little Mansur cared for the ordinary comsuaded that there was no hope of salvation or forts of life is illustrated by a story he told me. peace in Bahaism, so he returned on foot to Iran. "I had been traveling through the forests and vil- Again he visited Russia, and in a Trans-Caspian lages of Mazanderan, down near the Caspian Sea, city made the chance acquaintance of Benjamin and decided to go back over the mountains to Badal. This great Christian colporteur told him Teheran to see my friends there. I was climbing the story of Christ and sold him a Testament in up a steep mountain pass when I lost conscious- Persian. In that chance interview Mansur Sang ness and fell beside the road. I do not know how saw the first spiritual light that his soul had ever long I lay there, but finally I was awakened by known, and he longed for a clearer vision. cool rain falling on my face. I began to think when I had last eaten and then remembered that The young man could not read, but he kept the I had had nothing that day nor the day before. Testament and at times had others read it to him. I went on and soon came to a tea-house where I He became especially fond of the verses: "The ate some bread and drank tea. It is true that Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath man shall not live by bread alone, but we should annointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; not try to get along on spiritual food alone either." He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering At one time Mansur invited one of the missionof sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that aries to lunch with him. Among other things he are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the had locusts and noticed that the missionary did Lord." not seem anxious to partake of this particular viand. Mansur said, "If locusts were good enough In Teheran, about 1915, Mansur came in touch for John the Baptist are they not good enough for with American missionaries to whom he told of you ?" He was a great admirer of John and his the little light he had found and was further in- desert life and never ceased to wonder at the fact structed. He later confessed Christ, but his bap- that although John was such a great prophet yet tism was put off, principally because of family the least in the Kingdom of God was greater than troubles. Mansur was married and had several he. Mansur used to say: "The word for prophet, children. A boy and a girl died, leaving one pegambar, means !One who carries a message' daughter who attended the mission school in and I am that." And indeed he did carry God's * Some time ago a letter from a c(}Ueague in Teheran brought this Message to hundreds of places where no Christian news: "Mansur Sang died quietly and in faith, in our h(}spital a evangelist had been before him. ,.
few days ago. He Was ready to g(} and had n(} fear of death. Poor old man, he had suffered much, may his reward be great." Thus Although Mansur could not read, village people has passed a most extraordinary character-the Christian dervish. d'd no t d!' Scover t he f act I' N(}w that he has gone to be with Christ the Church shJo.ulCd. kWn.ow for he could open the more of his llnllslIal story.
[182 ] MANSUR SANG, THE CHRISTIAN DERVISH, EXPLAINS THE GOSPEL TO AN IRANIAN STUDENT AND A BEARDED MOSLE'M DERVISH New Testament and quote from memory the pas- 'distributing his tracts and Gospels among the wild sage he wished to teach. He carried with him on tribesmen. Someone started the rumor that these his tours a few simple medicines and made his were books of the foreigners, against whom there living, largely by pulling teeth. He became adept was high feeling at the time. All the Scripture at this with his fingers, but if a stubborn molar portions were gathered and burned. Mansur reresisted his efforts, or if he wished to make an ceived news of what had been done, and pushing impression as to his professional ability, he would his way through the crowd, put out his hands over produce a rusty pair of forceps given him by one the ashes and prayed in a voice that all could hear, of the missionary doctors. Like the Canadian "0 God, forgive these people for having burned mounted police, "He always got his man." One thy Holy Word. In their ignorance they have of the English missionaries in southern Iran, who committed this great sin." The wild men of the accompanied him on a village trip, saw him ex- tribes stood about in silence, awed by his courage tract eighty-seven aching teeth in a single day. when he J<new that at any moment they might But always most important was the "Seed" he treat him as they had his books. But no hand carried-a pack of Scripture tracts and Gospels. was raised against him. He was so zealous an evangelist that a missionary was heard to say, "I am sure Mansur Sang has On his return journey, Mansur met a refugee brought the message of Christ to more people in from Russia. It was cold and the stranger had Khorasan this past year than all the members of no coat. The dervish gave the refugee his large our station." sheepskin coat, or pustin, which served him as bed and bedding as well as protection from the At one time Mansur met, in the village where cold. He slept for some time without any coverhe happened to be touring, the missionary who ing and later became seriously ill, probably from had baptized him. After their greetings, the this exposure. He recovered and started off on friend noticed that from long travel in the villages the road again for southern Iran where it was the shirt the Christian dervish was wearing had become rather soiled. After some admonitions as warmer. to Christian cleanliness, the missionary volun- Our Christian dervish was visiting a certain teered to purchase a new shirt for his friend. Later Mansur returned, very pleased, and wear- village in the south. He wished to sell a man a ing the new garment. The missionary was also Bible, but the latter said: "No, I have a much pleased, until by chance he found that the dervish finer book than this, with a wonderful leather still wore the old shirt underneath. binding and an illuminated title page. It has come down to me from my father and grand- Mansur Sang was traveling along the border of father." Mansur replied: Afghanistan during the revolution there, and was "Yes, I know, the book is a Koran and no doubt its decoration is wonderful. I will tell you a
story. I knew a man who had two daughters. sionary friend came from Shiraz and found Man- One was most beautiful and the other was ex- sur working among the patients in the Isfahan ceedingly plain. He had the homely daughter hospital, lustily singing. The missionary repaint her lips and cheeks, blacken her eyebrows marked, and fix herself all up, but he couldn't get anyone to marry her. He did not need to decorate the "Why Mansur, you don't sound married." other girl at all and could hardly keep the suitors "N0," he replied, "you see it was like this. I away from his door. Now this Bible I offer you said to the lady, get your things packed so that is the truly beautiful daughter. It needs no fine we can be married and start out on a tour of the cover or decoration. It is the Word of God." villages. But she objected that she couldn't pos- sibly leave Isfahan. I couldn't possibly stay in In another village Mansur was stoned and one place, so we parted the best of friends." beaten because of his open witness for Christ. Many times the Christian dervish was put in An old blind man who had been a leader in start- jail for his faith;lohut as one prison keeper said: ing the trouble was beating the air with his stick, since he could not see the dervish to hit him. "It does no good to put that fellow in jail. He When the latter saw the situation he pushed the is just as happy inside as out, and he starts trying others aside, saying, "You are all selfish indeed, to make Christians of all the prisoners." give this old man a chance to ease his wrath." So the evangelist took the stick and laid it on his In one large city a police officer, who was a own head, saying, "There is my head, brother, member of the Bahai sect, thought he would have beat it until your feelings are relieved." some fun with Mansur. Calling him from his cell, he took a small book out of the pack that had been In one village the quaint evangelist was again taken from the dervish, and asked: beaten and stoned and the old women ran after him to spit upon him. He said later, "I don't mind "What book is this and how much do you sell being beaten, it is a wonderful thing to have fel- it for?" lowship in the sufferings of Christ, but I don't like to see the old ladies spit. I don't think it is "That is the Gospel according to Matthew," polite, do you?" . Mansur replied, "and I sell it for four shais" (about two cents). In another place where he was preaching and was ·continually hackled by his hearers, one strap- The officer laughed and said: ping young man well over six feet tall, was im- "Yes, you are right. Your so-called 'Gospel' is pressed and bought a Gospel. Reading it that only worth two cents. You have put the right nighj;, he was convicted of sin, saddled his horse value on it." early in the morning, and hurried on to the next Then he picked up a small tract and asked what village. There he found Mansur and constrained that was and its price. him to return with him to his village and later "That is Christ's Sermon on the Mount," the take.him to the missionary in the city. There he prisoner answered. "I distribute that free." confessed, "I have been a highwayman and have The officer, almost convulsed with laughter, rerobbed and stolen and wounded people and beaten marked: them, but thank God, this man with the words of Christ found me before I had killed anyone." He "Correct you are, you yourself admit that these confessed faith in Christ and went back to his books you distribute are worthless-you give them village but could not live there. He took up life away. Perfectly right, you ought to do so since among the roving Kashgai tribes, went on with they are worth nothing. If you wanted to get a his study and was later baptized. The former copy of our holy book you would have to pay five highway robber is now a radiantly happy Chris- or ten dollars for it. It is valuable." tian. He referred to the Aqdas, copies of which are Mansur used to walk in the streets and public rare. gardens swinging his walking stick from side to side, saying, "Sword, a sword." Someone would "I beg pardon, sir," Mansur replied "but what say, "Why man, that's not a sword, it's only a is that above your desk?" cane." He would immediately produce the New Testament and say, "No, that is not a sword, but "That is an electric light," the officer answered. here is the Sword of the Spirit." "Does it cost money to burn that?" the dervish asked. At one time the Christian dervish confided to "Why of course," the man said with a smile, some friends that he had found a Christian woman "that is a good thing. It's worth while and we -or rather she had found him-and they intended are glad to pay for it." to be married. Sometime later a very close mis- Mansur pointed out the window of the office and asked: "What is that up there 7" "Why that's the sun," answered the officer. Mansur pointed his finger at him in a character- istic jesture, when in deadly earnest, and said:
THE HOLY MOSLEM CITIES OF IRAQ
"Yes, that electric light is like your book. Man He always magnified his office and was ready made, and you have to pay for it. That sun out to witness anywhere to Christ, his Lord. there is a gift of God, it is free, just like His Word." Much more might be t()ld of the Christian der- vish, but the incidents related show his character. On one occasion Mansur Sang visited us for He has gone Home, but his influence will live several weeks, at the end of that time I went with long. He was unique in the Christian Church in him to request a police permit for him to leave the Iran. He could not sign his name, but he carried city. He was asked a number of questions and a small seal, in the center of which was a cross, when the query came as to his business, imagine and around this was engraved, "Mansur Sang, the surprise of the desk sergeant when he replied, slave of Christ." There is great need of more such Christian dervishes in every Moslem land. "I am an amb!;tssador of the Lord of Glory."
THE MOST SACRED MOS'QUES OF THE SHIAS IN WHICH ARE VALUABLE TRE'ASURES-AT NAJAF The Holy Moslem Cities of Iraq )5t- -tE{ I By the REV. CALVIN K. STAUDT, Baghdad, Iraq THE, most interesting, the most formidable, The Shiah religion forbids its followers to have the most wicked and the most fanatical places any dealings with "unbelievers" and if an "in- in Iraq are the four Holy Cities of the Shiah fidel" drinks or eats from a vessel it becomes Moslems. In each one of these cities (Kadhemain, polluted and must at once be broken and thrown Samarra, Kerbala and Najaf) there is a golden- away. domed mosque to an Imam (Holy Man) who is supposed to be buried there. Boys have come from Kerbala is surrounded by gardens and palms two of these cities to the American School in and as there is much water, the situation is very Baghdad. beautiful; real Persian gardens have a profusion and variety of flowers. The shops are interesting,
having all kinds of tempting things for the pil- sages in some cases that run into the desert outgrims. side of the city. Sometimes there are three or four surdabs (cellars), one below the other, and The city is built around the golden-domed in these are subterranean wells, which are also mosque of Hussein, the son of Ali. Another connected all over the city and through which curmosque, with a golden dome and golden minaret~, rents of cool air pass, making living possible underground. These communicating cellars and cisterns offer illimitable opportunity for plotters and criminals to meet and escape capture. The wickedness of Najaf is like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, and is very degrading; lust, murder and all the crude sins that flow from avarice. Najaf;" encourages "temporary mar- riages," mostly for pilgrims; they may be for an hour or for months. Children born from these unions are distinguished by wearing a single ear ring, a custom that undoubtedly goes back to Babylonian times when temple girls were em· ployed in the temples.
The fabulous treasures of Naj af are said to sur- pass the wealth of Croesus. The rich jewels and robes of crowned heads in Europe are insignifi- cant compared to those in the storerooms of the mosque. At a visit of Nasreddin Shah, many cen- turies ago, the treasures of Kerbala and Najaf were opened and it was reported that the silver and gold alone weighed seven tons – besides the precious stones and silks. Every Shiah, whether THE ENTRANCE TO THE MOSQUE AT KERBALA rich or poor, makes a contribution to this sacred shrine.
is the mosque of Abbas, Hussein's half-brother. If Sayyid Abbas, the keeper of the treasures, with a Shiah swears by Abbas he will never violate his whom I stayed in Najaf, is a typical Moslem poli- oath; it is said that a man once swore falsely and immediately his head flew off and embedded itself in the ceiling where it is still seen!
The drive from Kerbala to Najaf is over the smooth desert. The city, with its high wall and .golden minarets and dome, looms up out of the golden sand. Najaf stands isolated in the desert with not a green thing in sight; a formidable wall protects its treasures rakher than its people. It is the most fanatical and the most wicked city in Iraq-a city where only Shiahs live and where no Christian is supposed to enter. It containscthe shrine of Ali, who was mortally wounded in the mosque at Kufa, a town seven miles away. The story is that Ali, when wounded, was put on a camel and here is where the body was later found and buried. This is the cause for the building of this city in the desert. It now has a teeming pop- ulation of 45,000 crowded inside a wall, the cir- A STREET SCENE IN KERBALA cumference of which is not more than three miles. What must this dty be like on feast days when tician who knows how to keep the flow of treasthe population swells to 150,000? ures coming to Najaf. Because of this flow the Iranian government forbade its pilgrims to come No one knows Najaf unless he has seen the to Iraq. He has two wives and a home for each. underground city where the people dwell in summer to escape the unbearable heat of the burning Najaf is the center of Shiaism and the seat of desert. It is a net work of catacombs, with pas- the Mujtahid who is like the Roman Popes who
A PASTOR AND MISSIONARY EDUCATION
enjoyed temporal and spiritual authority. He is tive religions, there is slight connection between chosen because of his learning, rather than be- religion and morality. A religion which is devoid cause of his spirituality. He interprets the Ko- of morality is a poor sort of a religion. ranic and traditional law and also makes new laws. To disobey him is believed to result in The transformation of these Holy Cities will be eternal damnation. through the slow and silent process of Christian education. Boys going to Christian schools from The Shiah fanaticism is breaking down. Mrs. these cities will be the leveling influence. Staudt and I could walk the streets of Najaf, look into the mosque as we passed by the gate, be enter- Kerbala and Najaf are shrines that are symtained by the Killidar, who is next to the Mujti- Bolic of vicarious suffering. Both Hussein and had. This we could not have done a few years ago Ali died in behalf of a cause. Tradition has it and live to tell the tale. Now the people do not that Hussein, before setting out from Kufa, always obey the Mujtihads. prayed to Allah: "I am going forth to die for Thy (God) people." Is it not possible to bring These Holy Cities thrive on religion. The reli- byr tact and patience, and through Christian edugious standards for the Shiah world comes from cation to the Shiahs, the news of a Mediator, bet- Najaf. They are very religious, but like in primi- ter and truer than the one whom they know?
A Pastor and Missionary Education By JESSE H. ARNUP, ll..,D., Toronto, Canada Missionary Secretary of the United Church of Canada THE missionary impulse is first of all a reli- recently aroused religious feeling, arose the world gious impulse; missionary endeavor is the movement of modern missions. Similarly, during outward projection of heart-felt love for God a period of expanding settlement on the American and man. The logical end of a religious revival continent great religious revivals issued in nais the beginning of a missionary campaign. In tion-wide expansion of home mission effort in the the sequence of church history great missionary United S,tates and Oanada. movements have arisen out of creative periods in the life of the home church. Any course of mis- With these facts in mind we can see how a pubsionary education which fails to take account of lic school lesson in geography or history, in so far this central fact will lack the primary impulse to as it helps to produce a world view, may make a missionary service, the spiri,tual glow without valuable contribution to missionary education: which no missionary enterprise can hope to suc- Here, also, we find justification for a program of ceed. Conversely, every quickening of Christian missionary information and education, both inlife or strengthening of religious purpose in an side and outside the curricula of organized reliindividual or a congregation provides a fresh op- gious education. The church which has set herportunity for successful missionary education. self to make this a Christ-like world must accept it as a primary duty to let her membership know For the religious impulse must needs be fer- what the world is like today. Details of the pictilized by the missionary idea if it is to bear fruit ture must be filled in so that real understanding in missionary service and suppor.t. Sometimes may produce sympathy and fellowship between that idea seems to lie inherent in the circum- the Christian church and all communiUes, peoples stances of the hour. The eighteenth century re- and areas of life that are without Christ. vival went flaming through England at the very time when the British Empire, through her sol- Two other elements in the missionary equation diers and sailors, was reaching out to the ends of exactly match each other: they are the purpose the earth. The new Gospel message was literally of God and the needs of man. Ultimately, the carried around the world on the wings of the wind claim of Christian missions rests down upon the and the waves of the sea. Explorers like Captain unity of God and his eternal purpose for the world Cook became indirectly servants of the Gospel, of men. Over against that purpose lies the need pointing the way to its world-wide application. of our common humanity. The answer to that Out of these numerous world contacts, acting upon need can be summed up in the one word, redemp- tion. It is impossible to think of God as divided:
He is the one Father of us all. Jesus Christ like- fundamental social proces'ses have 'been set in mo- wise spoke always of His own revelation in terms tion which when complete will bring about condi- that applied to the whole world. These two fea- tions more nearly resembling the rule of God in tures provide the missionary message of the Bible: human life.
the universality of God and Christ's sufficiency The meaning of all this for the Christian min- ister, and its application to his efforts on behalf to meet the universal needs of men. Take the mis-. of missionary education, are not far to seek. What we have outlined is op, one hand the unisionary message out of the Old Testament and you have taken out the heart and meaning of it. The New Testament is from first to last a missionary versal message of the Gospel and on the other it book. Leave out its missionary message and its is the practical program of the Christian minister implications and what you have left has lost its in the interests of the world of men. On what power and appeal. So it is with the Church. foundation rests the minister's claim to authentic Rob it of its missionary purpose and passion and proclamation and eff~tive appeal to his own conyou remove both its right and its power to carry gregation if not on his knowledge of the eternal on. Regarding the experience of the individual pu~pose of Almighty God? What other salvation Christian one has recently written, "The ultimate dare he offer to mortals than that of a univers1al in individual self-fulfilment is found in s·haring the Saviour, whose provision reaches to the uttermost divine self-giving." In the words of Henry van of human need? In a world which is rapidly be- Dyke, "We are chosen, we are called, not to die coming a unit how can he hope for solution of any and be saved, but to live and save others." God's ,major human problem on anything less than a eternal purpose finds expres·sion by way of indi- world basis,? Whatever may be said of men in vidual human experience and missionary devotion. other relations, the Christian minister is inextri- The needs of men are of infinite variety but cably involved. in the presentation of the world even the least of them is included in the loving mission of Christianity and the missionary effort provision which God has made for His children. of the Christian church. The issue of success and The operation of sharing Christ with others in- failure, in the ultimate meaning of those terms, will rest upon his faithfulness and efficiency in volves the sharing of all those blessings which fitting to local conditions the larger setting of a world-wide and age.J.ong undertaking. For, takhave come to us through the effect of His life and ing it by and large, the progress of the average congregation in spiritual sympathy with the world teaching upon the conditions and standards of enterprise of Christ, in intelligent understanding of the operations of the Church and in response to human living. Missions are more than a philan- the material needs of the world, will be measured thropy but they form the most important philan- by the vision and intelligence and faithfulness of thropic effort in the world. It is written of Jesus the minister. that "He went about doing good." Lord Irwin, late Viceroy of India, has this to say of His modern representatives in that land: "Among outcastes and lepers, among criminal tribes or aborig- inal dwellers in jungle tracts, I have seen men Prayer for Missions and women s·laving devotedly to translate the message of Christ into the practical language of Him One of the greatest opportunities of serving the who went about doing good. They are doing work missionary cause comes to a minister through of quite incalculable value in India and their most public prayer. Probably the congregation forms powerful sermons are their lives." its idea of what is vital in a preacher's life and ministry quite as much from his- prayers as from It was ever thus. The Good News includes re- his sermons. What a man habitually carries on lease from all forms of captivity. The emancipa- his heart will come out in his prayer. What he tion of women throughout the world has alone really cares about sooner or later will have a place been worth all the money and all the labor spent in his petitions. Yet how many prayers in the on the missionary enterprise since its beginning. congregation are concerned with no one outside If you seek a verdict, ask the women of non-Christian lands whether Christian missions are worth the four walls of the church and touch no interest while. Slavery has been fought ever since Living- beyond the confines of the parish! The usual peti- stone cried out, "I call down Heaven's blessing on tion in the mid-week service is entirely local. If anyone, be he Englishman, American or Turk, a pastor really desires his congregation to catch who will help heal this open sore of the world." a world vision and yield themselves to it in loving The practice of witchcraft in its varied forms· is service he will lead them in prayer to the Cross yielding to the light of the Gospel and the influence of One who died for the whole world. For the of the Christian school. Among primitive folk world purpose of Christ is, still unrealized and He new arts ,and industries have been introduced; still is straitened until the object of His suffering the tumult of tribal warfare has been stilled and and death be accomplished. Our prayers, both
BLACK AND WHITE IN SOUTH AFRICA
public and private, should somehow reflect that that the missionary thinking of the Church has attitude of the Master's mind and heart. fallen far behind the present-day operations and objectives of the missionary movement at home Every minister can keep himself and his congre- and abroad. For that reason we have lost to some gation informed about the progress of Christian extent the interest of our young people and espemissions, both as a world movement and as an cially of students. These young idealists have enterprise of his own Church. The Gospel lends given themselves in thought and purpose to such itself to missionary illustration and application. objectives as the elimination of war, the improve- Many ministers habitually enliven and enrich ment of race relations, and the reconstruction of their preaching by frequent reference to the diffi- our social and economic order. Ministers can take culties and successes of the Gospel in the mission advantage of this enthusiasm by showing the relefields. It pas'ses comprehension why some of the vance of the Gospel in its application to these "teaching elders" of the Church should labor so problems. How else dare we assert that our hard to master the details of church history in Christ is sufficient for all the needs of men? past ages and neglect the church history of equal or greater s'ignificance that is being made in vari- The missionary question thus assumes a vital ous places round the world in their own time. relation to the success of the home church. It is said that we live in an age of transition. A period But preaching, though always of the utmost of transition is, usually a period of confusion, but importance, is only one means of missionary edu- it may also become a period of new creation. In cation. The minister who desires to have his con- this hour when the Christian Church stands at the gregation intelligent in matters affecting the crossroads, leading to world succes's or universal world-wide work of Christ will foster missionary defeat, shall it be said of us that, unaware of the education in all the organizations of his church. significance of the issue, we sought to explain and Outstanding opportunities' are presented through extenuate our apathy to the great purpose of our the Church School, the Young People's Society, Lord by the lame apology, "The missionary enterthe Men's Club and the various organizations of prise doesn't seem to make the appeal it used to the women. Among young people and adults it will make." We have no such poor opinion of the be the peculiar function of the minister to show ministers of the Christian churches in the United the importance of the missionary enterprise to the States and Canada. life of the world in our day. It is our conviction Black and White in South Africa The Responsibility of the Christian Community By KENNETH G. GRUBB,* London 1r )1- Of the World Dominion Movement ~==========================~ C LIMATE and the course of history have at times injected into the relations between these ordained that the most numerous and most two peoples, so different in language, general in- active Christian population in Africa terests, political attitudes, and, in their types of should be the European community of the Union Christian culture. Nevertheless, it may be of South Africa, numbering two millions. It can- doubted if so strong a European community could not, therefore, be altogether a waste of time to ever have existed and maintained its position note its relation to the evangelization of the na- without a degree of tension which has produced tive peoples, not only in the Union but also in a virile character, and has created a powerfully Africa as a whole. assertive type of European civilization, which owes its very strength to a variety of outlooks The European community in South Africa is and habits. composed of two different national stocks, the Dutch and the British. The tension between them The effect of this is seen in the religious sphere. has been acute at times, culminating in the Anglo- There is a strong religious life among the Euro- Boer war; even today an element of bitterness is peans, particularly among the Afrikander folk; while among the British, the Church of the Prov- • Mr. Grubb has recently returned from an extensive visit to ince of South Africa (Anglican), the Methodists South Afrlca.-EDITOR.
and other "Free Churches" command a popular dan. Apart from these Dutch churches are two following. This active religious life has enabled others: the "Hervormde" Church, the official these people in some measure to resist the fatal Church of the old South African Republic; and temptations and allurements of the prosperity in- the "Dopper" or "Gereformeerde" Church. But to which the gold-mining industry has dragged even these organizations, which have traditionally many families. Of recent years the religious ten- represented the most rigid racial views, have unsion has been increased by the rapid advance of dertaken at least some mission work. The Dutch Roman Catholicism, by its progress in native mis- churches, notwithstanding their well-known racial sions especially in Basutoland, and by the increase attitude, have undertaken mission work both within its already considerable provision of high-class in and outside the Union of South Africa. educational institutions for European children. The most powerful church in the British com- In face of this situation the problem before munity is the (Anglican) Church of the Province those interested in missions is therefore: How of South Africa>~ The first bishop of this church can the religious energy that results from this had been strongly influenced by the Oxford Movetension be used for a more earnest and thorough ment, and the church, although it contains some evangelization of the Africans? Second: How evangelical parishes, is a good exponent of Anglocan those who have lapsed among the European Catholicism at its best. It still receives substan- Christians best be reclaimed? Finally, how can tial assistance from England, and is therefore by the prayer of our Lord for spiritual unity among no means so fully rooted in the country as are the His people be answered in South Africa. Dutch churches; neither is its hold over its peo- ple as firm. But this church has developed a re- Foreign mission work (American, Scandinavi- markable native mission work with a vast number an, French, German and Swiss), cannot be ex- of outstations, and some excellent educational and pected to remain in South Africa indefinitely. medical centers. Much of this work is in the Many have very considerable responsibilities in hands of the Anglican religious orders, such as Asia where there is no immigrant European the Mirfield Fathers, the Society of the Sacred Christian community of any size in proportion to Mission and others. the total population. On the other hand, so long as South Africa remains a land of white men as The Methodist Church of South Africa also carwell as black, the Bantu Church will need the ries on a very extensive native mission work, cooperation of the indigenous European churches. which is now almost entirely independent of any It is, therefore, the European Christian commu- grants from Great Britain. It is the church which nity that must prove their willingness to play a has the most numerous following among the Banvital part in the evangelization of the Africans. tu population, and the quality of its native min- istry is such as to command respect. The whole The most important European churches are the church is permeated by a keen evangelistic spirit, Dutch Reformed. They are the most closely iden- and certain of its missions, such as that on the tified with the general development of the country; Rand, furnish a good example of the response of they command, to a remarkable extent, the loyal- the native population to the Gospel. Many other ty of their people; and they have developed types South African churches carryon evangelistic of religious life which admirably suit the aspira- work, although on a smaller scale, among natives. tions of their Christian community. There are four European Dutch churches in the Union, These two churches, the Methodist and the namely the four synodal churches in the provinces Church of the Province, contrast strongly with of the Cape, Natal, Orange Free State and Trans- the Dutch churches in their organization and the vaal. These churches are for Europeans only, and nature of their religious appeal. The differences they delegate only certain very limited powers to between the Dutch churches and the Church of a Federal Council. It is, therefore, not strictly the Province are especially noticeable and from correct to speak of the Dutch Reformed Church some points of view are regrettable. It is of the of South Africa. Corresponding to these four utmost importance for the Christian future of European churches there are three "mission South Africa that there should be a clear underchurches": that in the Cape is a church among standing between the Dutch churches and the Colored folk, with a Christian community of over Church of the Province. This situation offers a 120,000; those in Transvaal and the Orange Free real problem for the newly formed Christian State are native churches. These "mission Council of South Africa, but it is one which will churches" are entirely independent, although they be solved more by personal contact and spiritual receive subsidies from the European churches. interchange than by organization. Each European synod has a permanent committee on missions, and through these committees an ex- When we consider the attitude of the Church tensive work is maintained in Nyasaland and to the racial problem, the contrast remains be- Southern Rhodesia, and a smaller one in the Su- tween the Dutch and the other leading Christian churches. The Dutch do not permit Black to wor-
ship with White in the same place; in fact, they senting to the native a wholly barbaric and lustful are opposed to any form of equality between Black picture. It is they who have mitigated the threatand White either in Church or State. The prob- enrngs of war by the message of the Prince of lem is, of course, by no means confined to South Peace. Dispense with their labors, and it is Africa, but the numerical relation of the commu- doubtful whether the native of today would have nities there, where Black outnumbers White by any educated leaders at all. In modern times more than three to one, makes it singularly acute. when, under the influence of close contact with The question has been repeatedly debated from a European civilization, the ancient sanctions of score of different angles, and it is unnecessary to native life are being swept away, the Message of recapitUlate the arguments here. An extreme the Gospel has taken fruit in the realization of a policy of geographical segregation is no solution Christian community, a form of spiritual fellowto a problem which is fundamentally one of ship and cohesion that, amidst the confusion of the inner attitude rather than geographical position. times, offers salvation to the bewildered African Neither hatred nor love are created or removed by from his heart's long torment and the anarchy of distance alonli. Rather, the churches of South his own desires. Africa, whatever be their actual machinery of organization for dealing with the racial problem, But the old paths are being broken up in South will be increasingly driven to echo the conviction Africa as elsewhere; the old order is passing of Shelley: away. The mines, the farms, and the towns all bring White and Black into constant contact. In- We – are we not formed, as notes of music are, creasingly it will become evident that although For one another, though dissimilar; color may be made the basis of an aesthetic judg- Such difference without discord, as can make ment, it cannot be the foundation of a religious Those sweetest sounds, in which all spirits shake one. If six~and-a-half million Bantu are in con- Like trembling leaves in a continuous air? tact with two million Europeans and remain in any large part non-Christians, it can only be be- The point to emphasize here is that the racial cause the latter are in large part non-Christians problem of South Africa, in its implications for themselves. There are two million potential misthe Christian community, is not so much a prob- sionaries in South Africa. In face of this fact we lem for the foreign missions, as for the indigenous have to ask whether, through the testimony of European churches of the land. The missionary European Christianity, the native community is can never view such a problem with the same feel- to be won for Christ or repelled from Him. If it ings as he whose whole past is bound up with local is not won, then the future will witness the traditions, whose father or grandfather was per- mingling of two paganisms to form one neopaganhaps slain, or may be saved from death, by a na- ism. The cynical indifference of the civilized tive warrior, and whose land was once occupied European, who has no reverence and no fear, no by a primitive or warlike tribe. These things be- purpose, no convictions and no religious beliefs, long to history, but their effect remains. The will mingle with the secularized native who has present with all its difficulties has been molded cast adrift from the old moorings and is afloat on and created by the past, and only those, the roots the sea of uncertainty. Of these two paganisms of whose life are in the soil of South Africa, and the second, being the paganism of ignorance, is to whom all other shores are foreign strands, can the more pardonable. determine these issues. To answer the questions we have raised we The contribution which foreign missions are have first of all to pray for a revival of true faith called upon to make is, therefore, to create the in God and true devotion to Jesus Christ among Christian community among the native peoples. the two million persons of European descent, Racial questions, and all questions affecting the nearly all of them nominally Christians, in South relations between Black and White, will be Africa. We may then expect that in their inbrought vastly nearer solution when they can be evitable contact with the native peoples, by the treated as problems between fellow Christians. day-to-day testimony of a Christ-controlled life, They will then be transferred to the sphere of the the Gospel will receive an impetus which the la- Church: that will not, of course, mean that they bors of missionaries alone could never bring. will be automatically solved, but their solution Finally, in order to eliminate useless strife and will be brought sensibly nearer, in so far as they wasteful competition among those who call themare handled by men who are consciously led by the selves disciples of our one Lord, there is a great Spirit of God. work of fellowship and cooperation to be patiently and carefully undertaken. Two years ago the South Africa owes much to the devoted labors Christian Council of South Africa was organized of missionaries. Through their presence and la- and should bring about helpful cooperation. It bors the harsh asperities of the pioneer age of is evident that the field is lying open before it. occupation have been sensibly mollified. It is they who have saved European civilization from pre-
Ways of
'Tested Metlwds for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO MISSIONARY TOURS joining "tent" (room) a typical day from noon till the evening Arabian luncheon was served, ';' assembly, with guides and inter- "Tours of Moslem Lands," the cost being covered by an of- preters in each ,.room. Notewith costumed impersonations fering. The same plan was worthy were the exhibits of and characteristic luncheons, used in all of the programs. the Episcopal Church activities have been featured in four Details of costumes and lunch- throughout the world, shown at monthly visualizations by mem- eons will be furnished for a the Chicago World's Fair; the bers of the Presbyterian church, stamped and addressed envelope, miniature replicas of the Amer- Quincy, Illinois. Arranged by by writing ,to Mr. Githens, 318 ican Mission to Lepers; the Harry W. Githens, the church's So. 4 St. Complete programs Centennial exhibits of the Pres- Dramatic Director, the pro- will be typed for a fee of $1.00. byterian Board; appealing photograms were sponsored by the graphs from the Baptists; the Women's Missionary Society and the Christian Endeavor Society, A WORLD'S FAIR Chinese exhibits of the Methodin an effort to reach a larger OF MISSIONS ists, .and the lighted panels and group in studying the current By GRACE H. HONDELINK posters of the Reformed Church Boards. Daily missionary motheme. Missionary-minded persons from other .churches also The World's Fair of Missions tion pictures drew large groups held in Salem Evangelical and were invited. The programs be- to the room devoted to this feagan at 5 p. m. on Sunday eve- Reformed church, Rochester, ning, and averaged about two N. Y., January 19 to 23, was the ture. most comprehensive and com- First of the ten sessions of the hours each, so there was no con- pelling missionary review ever flict with other services after 7 projected in western New York. Fair was a luncheon on Wednes- Sponsored by the Rochester day noon, attended by over 500 o'clock. women. The speaker was Dr. Mary Ely Lyman, on the theme, Sailing on the Steamer "Mis- Council of Church Women and "Thy Kingdom Come." Another sions," a worship service was assisted by the Rochester Fed- social event was the Women's conducted by the pastor, Rev. eration of Churches, the Federa- International Dinner on Thurs- W. N. Dewar, as Chaplain. The tion of Men's Bible Classes, and day evening, with hostesses and first country visited was Arabia, the Monroe County Youth Fed- tables gay in costumes and dec- "Land of Romance." The next eration, nearly 200 churches of orations of many nations. About three visits were to Syria, "The thirteen denominations shared 400 women listened to the speak- Land Where Jesus Lived"; Iraq, in this project for bringing fresh ers, from China and Japan. A "The Cradle of Civilization"; enthusiasm for missions to all somewhat smaller group at the and Iran, "Land of the Lion and church members. men's dinner on the same eve- the Sun." En route to these Eight rOOInS of the spacious ning heard a past president of three countries the worship serv- church plant were given up to the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, ice was supposed to be on either exhibits grouped according to on "A Business Man Looks at a Desert Bus or a Railway train. countries, with two rooms filled Missions." The president of Arriving in Arabia the tour- with materials appealing to chil- Colgate – Rochester D i v i nit y ists went immediately to the dren and their leaders. Home School, just returned from a "tent" of Sheik Ilderim (which and foreign mission boards gen- round-the-world trip, gave latest had been erected from brown erously lent their best in the news from the mission field. burlap, in another room) where way of pictures, literature, pos- Afternoon teas on Thursday missionaries and native students ters, banners and curios; the and Friday gave opportunity for (the latter in costume) pre- Rochester Museum of Arts and fellowship with missionaries and sented an interesting program Sciences loaned large contribu- acquaintances, as did the buffet which told of the historical, geo- tions from its collections, and supper on Friday night. graphical, economic, and reli- many friends in Rochester of- Inspiring music was furnished gious conditions, with a vocal fered their art objects for the for the various meetings by talsolo by the Sheik host as ,a spe- week of the Fair. ented soloists, a Negro baritone, cial feature. Then, in an ad- The exhibits were open each a quartette from the German [192 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Baptist Theological Seminary, modate the crowds of interested FROM ONE BOOK-END the mixed chorus of Jefferson listeners. TO ANOTHER High School, an Antiphonal Friday evening's forum on The following combination of Choir of 400 voices, and the choir "World Christianity and Human monologue and dialogue has of Salem Evangelical-Reformed been prepared to give publicity Church. The high point musi- Needs" was led by the President to the Interdenominational Concally, however, was the presenta- of the Rochester Federation of tion of Mendelssohn's "Elijah," Churches. There were four ference of Missions to be held at in the dramatic adaptation ar- speakers, each one followed by the Hotel Raymond, Eagles ranged by Rev. Phillips E. Os- discussion from the floor. An Mere, Pennsylvania, June 25 good, D.D. This was given by Episcopalian bishop spoke on the fifty-voice Rochester Chapel "The Church's Need of World to JUly 2, 1938. The same type Choir. The sanctuary of the Vision" ; a missionary from of sketch may be used ,to angreat church proved utterly in- nounce any other conference, or adequate for the throngs that China, on "The World's Need of wished to enter. Christian Education"; a gifted to present mission study book woman from India, on "The Re- reviews. The group adapting Stirring addresses were given sults of World Christianity"; on Thursday, Home Missions the idea may prepare the book Day, by an Alaskan (Aleut) and an exchange student at Waminister and an Indian mission- seda University, Japan, on "The reviews. ary. The eminent pastor of a Challenge of World Christianity The idea is to give the effect Negro church gave readings from the works of James Weldon on the Threshold of Service." of a row of books held in place Johnson and Paul Lawrence . by book-ends. The "book-ends" Dunbar. Home missionaries introduced to the audience included are two girls, sitting in identical workers among the Indians, On Children's Day, Saturday, positions, one at each end. Southern Mountaineers, in city children in convenient groups missions, and on the far western were conducted through differ- First Book-End is dressed as frontier. ent rooms, where they were in- a girl of an American city. troduced in turn to story-telling, Friday afternoon, Foreign games, folk songs, costumes and Second Book-End wears a col- Missions Day, brought speak- customs of missionary countries, orful sari of India. If a sari is ers from Chosen, the Women's finally gathering in a large as- not available, use seven yards of Christian Union Colleges of In- sembly for a drama centering bright-colored material draped dia, and Nellore, South India. around the picture, "The Hope as follows: Hold one end in left The Missionary Commission was of the World." hand at waistline in front. Pass given by Mrs. Laura Hyde goods tightly around hips in Foote, 81 years old, pioneer med- Saturday evening was Youth front. Tie upper corner in firm ical missionary, who appeared Night. A most impressive dra- knot to upper edge of goods held on the p I a t for m with her matic devotional service, fea- in right hand. Bring cloth daughter and granddaughter, turing a processional and pleas snugly around body once, then representing the tradition of of the nations, and an antiphonal lay the long line in pleats to generation after generation in Youth Chorus, were followed by within three or four yards of the missionary service. an address by a speaker from end. Tuck these pleats in over Iran, on "New Horizons." the knot in the middle of the Hymn singing was led by the front. Pass the loose end of City-wide Missionary Sunday cloth on over the left hip, up former pastor of the Union was observed with missionary under right arm and over left addresses by missionaries, board shoulder, bringing it up over the Church, Kobe, Japan. Over a secretaries or the pastors in head and letting it fall over the score of foreign missionaries, practically all of the Protestant right shoulder. A plain waist garbed in the costumes of their churches of Rochester and vicin- with short sleeves may be worn underneath sari. The Books are adopted countries; some mem- ity. At Sunday afternoon's ves- girls holding in front of them bers of foreign mission boards, per service, the former executive long narrow posters lettered to secretary of ;the Rochester Fed- imitate the backs of books. As and several mothers and sisters each girl speaks she may step eration of Churches brought the challenge of personal responsi- upon a hassock so that her head bility, and a local pastor con- appears above the poster. ducted the closing devotional of missionaries now on the field, 'Service. were presented in a recognition The World's Fair of Missions *** Girl of India: (After sitting service. The meeting closed was the culmination of many still long enough for audience to with the Lord's Prayer, re- months of work by some 150 get the effect, moves about rest- peated, "each in his own women, serving on various com- lessly, then stretches arms wide) (adopted) tongue." These after- mittees. The outstanding suc- Ah-h-h! (Yawns, peeps around noon meetings had been sched- cess of the venture, both in corner at her neighbor at the uled for the Bible class room, numbers attending and in the other end, who does the same.) seating 300, but it was found spiritual tone of all the meetings, Oh, how stiff I am! I wonder necessary tg move to the church argues well for the future of what would happen if I -should auditorium, in order to accom- missionary interest in Rochester. move. (Leans forward; end
book immediately leans too) Oh, ing on a vacatio.n? They sound way to solve all problems, dear, no! They can't stand up, very serious-minded to me. whether of the East or the West, poor things, without me. But I What sort of place is Eagles is the same, by following the One am stiff! Mere? who came out of Nazareth to be City Girl: Stiff! I'm b,o.red City Girl: Look, here's one the whole world's Saviour.
stiff! I like books well enough, called "The Good Times Book." Girl o.f India: Hark, I hear but this thing of just sitting be- Give it a tap and see what it has someone coming. We'll have to to say. go back to our places. (Resumes side them all this time- (Peep- position as at first, very deing at her neighbor again). Oh, The Goo.d Times Bo.o.k: I mure.) you're from India! I know it by can't keep quiet any longer. Where have you been that you City Girl: Goodbye for the your beautiful dress. (Rises, don't know Eagles Mere is just present. Let's try to get toholding one hand against nearest the most beautiful mountain re- gether at Eagles Mere, when book to support it, looks at Girl sort in Pennsylvania? these neighbors of ours won't of India.) have to be in a stiff row all the Girl o.f India: (Apologeti- time. (Waves hand and takes Girl o.f India: Yes, I'm from cally) I've been in India. position as at first.) India, but (also rises, same ac- The Bo.o.k (somewhat molli- JANE GILBERT, tion as City Girl) I've seen fied) We-ell, of course, you American girls like you travel- might not hear about it in India. Member o.f Co.nference ing in my country. I wonder Co.mmittee. City Girl: I live in New York. why these books are standing in SUGGESTIONS FOR a row like this. (Gazes at The Bo.o.k: (Sniffs) Oh, New INVITATIONS books.) York! They are always so superior! Well, anyway if you Picture of drum and sticks, City Girl: (Same action) I flew over Pennsylvania and saw with the inscription, "Drum up a lake right on top of a lovely a crowd for" (time, place and heard someone say they were all mountain, like a sapphire sur- title of meeting) . going on a vacation together, to rounded by emeralds- A mirror on the bulletin board a place called Eagles Mere. City Girl: (Whispers across Girl o.f India: (Touching to Girl of India) Guide-book nearest book) This one is called with cover drawn over its face "Moving Millions," but it doesn't move a bit while I hold it. City Girl: I wish one of them stuff ! The Bo.o.k: (Ignoring inter- and the words: "Look inside would speak. ("Moving Millions" speaks ruption) You might think a bit and you will see the picture of of the sky had got stranded someone invited to the next briefly, then disappears.) Girl o.f India: That's a book I there, but when you came down meeting of" (society, place and must read for myself. There're to see, you'd find Eagles Mere! date) . things in it I probably don't And when you came closer, you'd Large sketch of finger ring, know even though I live in In- find rubies and rose quartz here with diamond, and the words: dia. It seems several people and there in the emerald setting, "You are engaged to . . ." or, wrote it. for the laurel and rhododendron "Your engagement is announced City Girl: Here is another grow close to the edge of the with the Young People's Misbook about India. "The Church lake. And the fun you can have sionary Society for" (date and Takes Root in India" by Basil in the lake! Then there are all place). Mathews. sorts of hikes through the woods, and of course tennis and golf- Sealed o.rders-Sketch of large ("The Church Takes Root in well, a week won't be nearly hand with tiny envelope held be- India" speaks.) long enough to enjoy all the good tween thumb and firs,t finger times to be had at Eagles Mere. (through slit in paper). Inside Girl o.f India: That's interest- the envelope place the names of ing. But I'd like to hear some- (City Girl and Girl o.f India two women to be won for the thing about your country. What stand in same position, looking next missionary gathering by is this next one? (Leans over up at the book after the head has the recipient of these "orders." to read title) Oh, yes, (reads disappeared, and then the W o.rtitle) perhaps it will speak too. ship Bo.o.k speaks.) Personal invitations written on outline sketches of the state (First book on The City Wo.rship Bo.o.k: Of course, or states whose Home-missionspeaks.) there's another book that every- ary work is to be studied, and one will take to Eagles Mere leaflets enclosed with them. City Girl: Dear me, I live in which is not on our shelf. the city but I believe there are Everyone will study the Bible Sketch of heart with words: still some things for me to learn. every day. There will be lead- "Take this invitation to heart" Wait, here's another one about ers who know the Bible and (add information). to make remarks. Sketch of a girl sitting at a (Second book on The City know how to make it real and telephone apparently calling up speaks.) living to young and old. When recipient; the accompanying de- Girl o.f India: (Doubtfully) these other books spoke, did you tails of the invitation should be Are you sure these books are go- notice, they reminded us that the in telephonic terms.
~'I===========~
BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,=-=================~ INTRODUCING While in Paris she was also erend Cornelius P. Trowbridge President of the Woman's Guild is the Canon of St. Paul's Cathe- Mrs. Augustus Trowbridge, of the American Cathedral. dral Church in Boston. President of the Council of Women for Home Missions During the war she was ac- Under her leadership the tive in Red Cross work and Council of Women for Home The Council of Women for served a term as Chairman of Missions looks forward to con- Home Missions is honored to in- the Red Cross Committee in tinued opportunities for usefultroduce to the readers of this Princeton. The New Jersey ness and deeper dedication to Bulletin, its newly elected Presi- Church Mission of Health has the cause of Unity in Christian dent, Mrs. Augustus Trow- claimed her attention and en- service for all church women. bridge. Elected in Annual Meet- thusiastic support for many ing, January 9-12, 1938, in New years. As a member of the MAY LUNCHEON York City, she succeeds Mrs. Board, and for a time its chair- Millard L. Robinson, retiring man, she has worked for the re- Tuesday, May 3, 1938 President. Mrs. Trowbridge has claiming as useful citizens young been a stimulating member of girls who, as unmarried mothers "UNITY IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE" the Council's committees, taking found themselves in need of active part in the Migrant work much sympathetic guidance. For years the Council of and peace work of the Council, Women for Home Missions has and for the past year as Second In 1937, she attended the announced in these columns in Vice-President assisting in the twelfth Conference on the Cause April plans for the May Lunchformulation of policy and fur- and Cure of War, in Chicago, as eon held annually under its austhering the meaning of home proxy for Mrs. Millard Robin- pices for closer fellowship of mission work through the Coun- son, President of the Council of church women of its twentycil of Women for Home Missions. Women for Home Missions, and three constituent denominations, her appraisal of the Conference and better acquaintance with A member of the Episcopal called forth praise from church their common tasks. Last year, church, Mrs. Trowbridge has women of many denominations you may remember, marked a participated in the work of the and challenged church women to definite advance in fellowship in Woman's Auxiliary wherever strengthen the spiritual ties of that other national church orshe has lived. Her interest in women round the world building ganizations joined with us and peace and among young people for peace. sponsored this luncheon at the brought her into service as a Biltmore Hotel, in New York member of the Board of the Stu- Her connection with the City. It was a signal success dents International Union where Young Women's Conference at and the succeeding months have she retains active membership. Northfield, and at one time been spent in planning how to F'or many years she made her chairman of its Program Com- extend the enthusiasm and inhome in Princeton, New Jersey, mittee, has kept her in close spiration of such meetings to where her husband was a mem- touch with the thinking and ac- church women all over the counber of the faculty of Princeton tivities of young people. try. It is with a sure knowledge University, the last four years of therefore of what similar gathhis life serving as Dean of its A woman of keen insight, in- erings of church women in all Graduate ColI e g e. For five terested in all that goes to make of the communities of the counyears she made her home in for universal Christian brother- try may mean to those commu- Paris, where her husband was hood in a confused and material nities that the Committee on Director for Science (in Eu- world, Mrs..Trowbridge says of Women's Work of the Foreign rope) of the Rockefeller Foun- herself that her "chief inter- Missions Conference, the Nadation. It was at this time that ests have always been in church tional Council of Federated she became very much interested work and minor positions in the Church Women, and the Council in the International Migration church." This is evidenced by of Women for Home Missions Service and she is now a mem- the fact that her two sons are under the banner of "National ber of its New York Committee. both ministers: the Reverend Council of Church Women" urge George A. Trowbridge is the the holding of interdenomina- Rector of All Angels' Church in New York City, and the Rev- [195 ]
tionalluncheons, simultaneously, close the meetings in Riverside Council of Women for Home in all communities on Tuesday, Church. The"A d v e n t u r e Missions. May 3, 1938, to consider together through the Years" depicted the Unity in Christian Service. development of the home mis- The topics discussed during sion enterprise. The pageant the business sessions of each day Those who attended the con- provides admirable material for included such themes as "Social ferences in Oxford and Edin- use as a whole or in part by Frontiers," "Child Labor," "Juburgh last summer have already church groups. venile Delinquency," and the a vision of what may be accom- "Underprivileged Migratory Laplished by church women in all On Monday, the two Councils, borers," indicative of the larger parts of the country, in similar meeting in Marble Collegiate implications of the missionary gatherings, and at the same church, held separate executive enterprise in the complicated sotime, earnestly thinking together sessions until the evening. Then cial structure of the present day. of their relation to the affairs of a panel discussion of the eco- The problems of the city as the church, the nation, and the nomic and spiritual needs of the viewed from the chair of the world, and of ways in which we migratory laborers presented to 'liayor of New York City were can jointly attack those prob- the j oint session of the Councils admirably presented by Mayor lems. It is suggested that all the complexities of the migrant Fiorello H. La Guardia. In this groups hold to the same theme problem. Participants in the single metropolis is concentrated for the luncheon programs and panel included Mr. Courtenay a population greater than that make them as uniform as pos- Dinwiddie, Executive Secretary in anyone state, yet its form of sible. An outline program is be- of the National Child Labor government is similar to that ing prepared that will be sent Committee, Mrs. Petricha E. for a city of 10,000 to 100,000. free on receipt of a stamped and Manchester, Executive Secretary addressed envelope (size 5"x of the Consumers' League of The memorable days came to 10") to the National Committee Delaware, Miss Barbara Stokes a climax with the Anniversary of Church Women, Room 63, 297 and Mr. Leon Dickinson, two dinner. Three remarkable ad- Fourth Avenue, New York City. student workers in Migrant Cen- dresses comprised the program. Will you encourage friends in ters who related their experience Dr. Robert W. Searle, Execuother communities in your and recorded the gratitude of tive Secretary of the New York county to plan such luncheons in migrant families for the inter- City Federation of Churches, their communities? Aim to est demonstrated on their behalf. speaking on the question "What have an inter – denominational Miss Edith E. Lowry, Executive Constitutes a Mission Field?" church women's luncheon on Secretary of the Council of made an impassioned plea on be- May 3rd in every city, town and Women for Home Missions, half of the city for home mission village in your county. Send proved the problem to be one of service. Mrs. Millard L. Robearly for the outline program. national proportions and of in- inson, the beloved president of creasing magnitude, and stressed the Council of Women for Home THIRTY YEARS OF COOP- the gratifying response of the Missions, reviewed the "Thirty ERATION IN HOME Council of Women for Home Years of Working Together MISSIONS Missions to the call of need in through the Councils." The clos- the increase from seven centers ing address by Dr. Charles E. The annual meetings of the in three states to the present pro- Schaeffer, former president of Home Missions Councils (the gram in fifty centers in thirteen the Home Missions Council, paid Home Missions Council and the states.. tribute to the outstanding lead- Council of Women for Home ers, each of whom by character, Missions) held January 9-12, The inter-relation of the Coun- personality and devotion had 1938, in New York City, cele- cil of Women for Home Missions shaped the service of the Counbrated the thirtieth anniversary with other bodies was forcefully cil. He closed with a ringing since their organization in 1908. shown in the annual report of challenge to advance in the spirit Miss Lowry. Almost without of the founders, ever pioneering, The meetings of Sunday were exception, the program com- striving, straining toward the held in Riverside Church. A mittees for the year 1937 were goal of making our country conference for young people joint or cooperating with some God's country. and their denominational leaders other national religious organsought for solutions to the baf- ization. The effectiveness of the The Council of Women regretfling questions of the "Social Council's work among migratory fully released its president, Mrs. Frontiers," as illustrated in the families received recognition in Millard L. Robinson, who, havproblems of the Negro, the In- a resolution of the Inter-Council ing given two years of devoted dian, the Mountaineer, the Mi- Field Committee which repre- service felt compelled to retire. gratory Laborer. sents seven national interdenom- Mrs. Augustus Trowbridge was inational organizations, which elected to serve as president. A worshipful pageant pre- called upon ,their field units to She enters upon her office with pared and directed by Miss direct that all such work under- assurance of support of her as- Nancy Longenecker of the First taken by religious agencies be sociates in the Council. Presbyterian Church in Brook- done in cooperation with the lyn, New York, brought to a MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD, First Vice-President.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO INDIA-BURMA-OEYLON of the Mission to Lepers in In- cure are usually convincing; dia, over 700 children have, since even more so is the demonstra- Women Leaders Ask Reforms it was founded, been rescued tion of Christian living by "un- from leprosy, and have gone out touchables." This is so genuine Now that India's Parliaments to take their places in the healthy that caste people who knew them community. In one place there before are coming to the Bishop include over 50 women members, is a self-supporting village of of Dornakal and his clergy in one may expect to see some Christian families, who are de- hundreds for instruction for greatly needed reforms for the scendants of those who them- baptism. "The Indian Church selves were the rescued children will have to extend itself to the benefit of women and children. of lepers. limit of its powers in order to One woman reformer recently do its duty by the host of illiterurged that for every five square -The Chronicle (L. M. S.). ates now streaming into it- 7,000 every month," says The miles there should be one ma- "Band of the Oross" Untouchables' Quest. The s e ternity home. When women are amazing results have come dur- The Sialkot Convention of ing a time of world depression seriously ill, men say that God 1937, held at the United Presby- when the supplies of men and is able to cure them; but when terian Mission Compound, was money have been inadequate. marked by clear evidence of the men have even an ordinary ail- work of God's Spirit. A revival, A further result has been the ment they run for doctors. The which took place some months birth of a new sense of responsicondition of women in purdah is ago in the Christian village of bility by individual Christians much worse. Martinpur, contributed much to and congregations to witness by this result. The situation in this word as well as by life. Another Indian woman legis- village, often discouraging from lator has been drawing attention a spiritual viewpoint, underwent -The Open Door. a marked change last summer to the problems of Hindu wid- under the influence of Mr. Bakht Girls and the Best Seats ows. The appalling situation is Singh Chhabra,the Punjabi illustrated by the following fig- evangelist, who s e preaching, It is the Bible period for a prayers and faith, were re- girls' class in Forman School. ures from the 1931 Census Re- warded by many changed lives Those who have the best seats port: and relationships. Under his want to keep them, and a situa- leadership a group of about tion develops that calls for a Ages No. of Widows sixty men and boys, calling demonstration of Christ's prin- themselves the Salibi Jatha, ciples for an age-old problem. 0-1 1,515 "Band of the Cross," left Mar- Mrs. J. M. Benade writes: "We tinpur ten days before and have a spirited discussion. 1-2 1,785 marched 130 miles to be present Those who have the good seats at the convention, preaching, say, 'We got them first, we have 2-3 3,485 praying and singing God's praise a right to them.' Then we talk as they went. about cooperation; we talk about 3-4 9,076 India's national aspirations; we At the close of the Convention, talk about 'in honor preferring 4-5 ……………. 15,018 this Band continued this pro- one another' and then as frankly gram on the march home, carry- and as powerfully as I know 5-10 ……………. 105,449 ing the Gospel message to all how, once more I try to present 10-15 ……………. 183,998 they met, Christians and non- Jesus and why I believe that 15-20 ……………. 514,394 Christians. only His way of life can help es- tablish justice in our midst- 20-25 ……………. 846,959 -Christian Union Herald. whether in school or in the na- tion. As I talk I feel a new atti- Saving Leper Ohildren "Living Epistles" tude creeping over the group. Soon, one who has been defend- Increasing attention is being Advertisements which picture given to treatment of children "before and after" effects of a who have incipient leprosy. Christian missions are in a posi- [197 ] tion to render valuable service in mission homes and through mission work in the villages of Asia and Africa. The success that has followed the rescue of healthy children of lepers from leprosy in India is outstanding.
It was a woman worker of the London Missionary Society who, sixty years ago, suggested this work, and gave a practical example of it in her own work in North India. At one home alone,
ing her right to a good seat, preparing for the crucifixion, the need for prompt aid is imspeaks up, 'Let the other girls soldiers came and rescued him. measurably great. Millions of have our seats.' I ask, 'Do you people have fled from their say this just because you think After the death of Thra Nga homes. Great cities and towns I am insisting on your giving up Lay, his son, Thra Ya Loo, was and villages over large areas your places?' She replies, 'No, the pastor until he died. Then have been depopulated, and these but when one's heart bears wit- his son, Thra Han Bo, was their multitudes are without food, ness that a certain action is pastor. His son, Thra Hla clothing and shelter in a cold right, then one must do it.' " Gyaw, is the present pastor. The winter. He expressed the ear- former pastors would have been nest hope that a great wave of Eventually, a committee was deeply impressed, could they real sympathy and Christian formed to work out a way to give have seen the 5,000 Christians love would bring a response to everyone a chance at the good at the Centennial, singing the the Red Cross appeal that would seats. "We will settle it all our- hymns they love, without fear of ex:ceed the President's expectaselves," laughingly agreed the the Burmans. -Missions. tion several fold. A recent regirls. port from an authoritative CHINA American committee in Shang- Handicaps in Ceylon hai has asked for not less than Ministry to Refugees $3,000,000. Such a gift from In Ceylon, the general attitude America can be efficiently adof the government is undergoing Chinese Christians have main- ministered by existing organizaa change which is not altogether tained milk stations in three tions in China. favorable to Christian institu- chapels in Peiping for refugee tions. Amendments to the Code children. The "milk" is a soy Christian Education Goes of Educational Policy give less bean product, with the same Forward and less opportunity for work food value as cow's milk-a rare among non-Christian children, article in China. Between three China has never before exparticularly in the field of reli- and four hundred children have perienced such a national congious education. Two-fifths of been fed each day. A relief com- sciousness as has been brought the children enrolled in Sunday mittee, composed of Chinese and about by the Japanese invasion. schools are of non-Christian foreigners, follows up neighbor- Dr. C. S. Miao, of the National parents, and the Sunday school hood cases and brings in under- Committee for Christian Educais one of the few avenues open nourished children. tion, is seeking to utilize this to reach non-Christian children growing spirit of unity to offset in Ceylon. The Ceylon S. S. Another valued service is ren- the interference which military Union publishes three Sunday dered by the China Travel Bu- operations has brought. As a school journals in Singhalese reau – a department where all result, literature sales have inevery three months, with lesson refugees can register their creased. Materials for parent helps for each Sunday. names and addresses, in order education, including "Standards that relatives and friends who for Christian Homes," have been In Burma-100 Years have lost track of one another published and two additional may regain contact. Thousands units are in course of publica- The Karen Baptist Church, at of refugees from war-torn dis- tion. Four numbers of the Re- Thay-ghay-ko, Bur m a, cele- tricts have been pouring into the ligious Education Quarterly have brated its centennial last year. Wuhan area, and in the confu- been issued. It is sent to every During these one hundred years sion numerous missing persons member of the Religious Educathe church has had only four have thus been found. tion Fellowship, of which there pastors. are several hundred, and per- In Shanghai, more than 100,- haps as many other subscribers The church was organized in 000 children in 181 refugee are receiving the magazine. troublous times. When the Bur- camps of the city are nowattend- There has been among the mans heard that the Karens ing school two hours daily. churches an awakening interest were accepting the new religion, Plans have also been made for in the vital necessity for Christhey used every opportunity to mass education among the 137,- tian education, and this new persecute them. Meetings had 000 adults in the refugee centers. quarterly has been seized upon to be held in the jungle, with The Salvation Army and the Chi- as the best medium of commuwatchers on guard. Should any nese Y. M. C. A. camps are hold- nication. of the men on watch see or hear ing adult classes, and movies are a Burman, he would coo like a being shown to the refugees Position of Missionaries dove and all the people would through the cooperation of the scatter. Educational Movies Association. The Anking correspondent of the L i v in g C h u r c h writes: Burmans kidnapped the first Appeal to Aid Distress "When China was in the first pastor, Thra Nga Lay, and car- throes of nationalism in 1927, ried him off, bound hand and Dr. A. L. Warnshuis, one of she was inclined to protest the foot. They planned to crucify the secretaries of the Internahim if he would not give up his tional Missionary Council, says faith in Christ. While they were that reports from wen-informed missionaries in China show that
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
domination of outside influences; Will Tibet Be Open? worded statements prepared in recent months by the churches and missionaries, as representa- The Dalai Lama, temporal tives of an alien power, were head of Tibet, who died in 1933, and the National Christian persona non grata. It was then has not yet been replaced. The Council show the Japanese the part of wisdom to turn over Panchen Lama, spiritual head of Christians to be not onl~ pamission property to the care of triotic and loyal but ChrIstIan Chinese Christians, who were the land died last November. in their attitudes with respect to thus enabled to assert them~elves He had been in exile for some the present situation. as both Christian and natIOnal- years, and as his recognition of ist. the reincarnation of the succes- The present crisis is demon- sor of the Dalai Lama was thus strating the strongly developed "Today, the situation, is re- unavailable, it was impossible versed. Missionary leaders:- humanitarian side of Japanese clergy, doctors, teac.hers, by VIr- to choose one should he be found. Christianity. Recruits for ~he tue of their educatIOn and pro- Tibetan history records no pre- army represent a cross-sectIOn gressive leadership, are in most vious case when the death of of Japanese life; they are taken danger from a power that wishes both these important characters to set the clock back, and bring from every rank of society, from China to her knees. The revival left the country of some three the farm, the shop, the stor~, the of Confucianism is a means to millions with no official head. professional office, the busmess this end. . . . It may develop office the faculties of schools. that leadership in the Church, so A missionary on the Tibetan No church, no school, no family, ably carried by Chinese Chris- border says (in the New York tians, may have to be returned to Times) that rites are being held but can count by the dozen its the missionary." to determine a ruler and that a friends who have gone to the boy, in whom it is claim~d the front. The welfare of these Dalai Lama has been remcar- men, the care of the families left nated, may be accepted. In this at home, the comfort of the be- Persecution in Yunnan event, there would be a renewal reaved-such matters have been a primary concern of the church of the conflict between age-old in the crisis.
Word comes to the World Do- exclusiveness and a measure of -Japan Christian Quarminion Press that in the extreme modernization, which a "Young terly.
southwest of Yunnan terrible Tibet party" is 3:dvocating. .It Korean Mission Schools is an opportune tIme for ChrI~- persecution is going. on a~ai~st . tian missions to press theIr The latest statistics of the the American BaptIst MIss~on claim. Federal Council in Korea, which Christians among the Wa trIbe include the figures for the six near the border of Burma. The JAPAN-CHOSEN Chinese soldiers seem in~ent on destroying every vestIge of Open Doors Not Lacking constituent Missions and the two Christianity in that tribe. Re~ National Churches (Presbyteresentations through the AmerI- The "Omi Brotherhood" becan Consul have proved worse lieves that in spite of the politi- rian and Methodist), indic3:te than fruitless. This is not, how- cal turmoil throughout t~e that there is a total of 768 mISever, typical of the attitu~e of world or perhaps because of It, sion schools with an enrolment the Chinese Government, eIth.er there 'is no lack of openings for of 86,552 pupils of all ages an? civil or military, towards mIS- grades. Of these, 340 are prIsion work in Yunnan, for in al- spiritual service, or of responmost every place there is tolera- siveness to religious work. The mary schools, up to .the 6th tion and even friendliness. Many Province of Omi, after long ef- forts· on the part of Christians garreade~enw'ist h 47,500 pupIls; two of the officials are either Chris- and social-minded leaders, has at colleges with about tians themselves, or friendly to last voted to abolish licensed Christian propaganda. prostitution; all brothels I?u~t 500 pupils, and one is a wome~'s be liquidated by 1940. ThIS IS It is probable that Yunnan has perhaps the biggest forward step college with about 300 pupIls. more aboriginal Christians than in more than 30 years' work of all other provinces together. T~e the Brotherhood. It is, no doubt, a safe estimate American Baptists alone m southwest Yunnan have baptized A large number of baptisms to say that there are a thousand about 28,000 aborigines, and and additions by letter to the many other missions have con- church in Omi-Hachiman are schools of all grades and kinds also reported in the Omi Mussiderable work among them; for tard Seed. in Korea giving education under instance, the English Method~st Christian auspices to about 100,- 000 pupils annually.
sMioisnsiothn~ the China Inland MIS- Japanese Christians in Then there are the hundreds Pentecostal Missionary the Crisis of pupils in the other priva~e and the government schools m Japanese Christians, although Korea who constitute a chal- lenge to the Christian Church and offer an opportunity to it.
tUhneibSn~etdhieshAFssreemebMlieisssioofn Gao~dd, These students are rapidly inthe German Vandsburgher MIS- Christian, are Japanese. A creasing both in numbers and sion. -Baptist Review. study made of the carefully importance. What they are d?- ing and thinking, a~d what ~s being done for and WIth them IS
of great concern to both the Mission Schools to be Closed work, for it was at Somosomo church and the state. Whatever happens to these schools in the According to the Korea Mis- that pioneers faced their severest future, we shall be grateful for trials. It was the first place in the wonderful opportunities dur- sion Field, official applications Fiji to have a mission burial ing the past fifty years and for the fruitage of those years. for closing Soongui Girls' School grounds. Near the church is a -ROSCOE C. COEN, in The and Soong Sil Academy, Pyeng- small mound that might pass Korea Mission Field. yang (Heijo) were made on Oc- for a flower bed, but is a most Student Evangelistic Bands tober 29, and application was historic spot. It has been called The younger people of the Korean church have not fallen made for closing the Union "the mustard seed," for it marks behind their elders in their zeal to make Christ known to their Christian College in the same the actual site of the first Misfellow young people and students in the church schools have set city on account of the "shrine" sion House at Somo.somo. Early the pace for others. question.. The Presbyterian missionaries explained to the na- In the Northern Presbyterian tChuh.usrch~loIsIIestheedUu~.ah~o. nAal. Mission, evangelistic bands have (PN) tives that the work they were dogone out during summer vaca- work ,.jng might not appear to be of tions and sometimes during the WhICh It ha~ CarrIe? on for over much importance, but in God's winter vacations from the fifty years III the CIty of Pyeng- good time it would grow and Chosen Christian College, the Union Christian College, the yLaeneg.ChoAngKm~onre!anwlhaoymfaonrm, eMrlry. transform Fiji. This prophecy Soong Sil Academy in Pyeng- has been fulfilled, for a number yang and from the Sinsung Academy (boys) and. the Po- gave half a mIlho? yen for rural of important achievements had sung Academy (girls) in Syen- dona~e their beginnings at the very chun. These schools have also work, has promIsed to me~ s done a large work in the Daily 1,200,00.0 yen to star.t a spot known as the mustard seed. Vacation Bible Schools. college III Pyengyang, of a dIf- -The Missionary Review fer~nt . type than the college (Australia). These bands consist of from WhICh IS to be closed. Two other two to six people. In the larger bands there are two or three for Korean Christians have an- T. h preaching, two or three for nounced that they would sponsor Where Christianity rlUmp s music, and one for work with children. Their trips last about a new boys' school and a girls' The island world of the Neththree or four weeks, usually higher common school in the erlands Indies has a total popwith only one day at a church, city. but sometimes three or four ulation of more than 60,000,000, days. Usually they go to the smaller churches located in some 42,000,000 of whom live on out-of-the-way places and in ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC .the island of Java and the small mountain regions sometimes separated from each other by Stirrings in the Philippines contiguous island of Madura. distances of twenty to seventy or eighty li, which must be trav- Considerably over a year ago About one-half of the total Chieled by foot and often in the an evangelistic program was nese population of 1,250,000 also rainy season. launched in Filipino churches with a fourfold aim, listed in live on these two islands. These The members of the men's the order of urgency: to awaken tropic lands have become one of bands spend an hour or two in individuals, churches, communi- the most important meeting the evenings calling at the ties, and the nation. houses of the villages within a places of Christianity, Islam and radius of four or five li from the There has been a general feel- paganism in the world. church giving out tracts and in- ing of ineffectiveness among viting the people to church. Christian workers in the face of Paganism progressively crum- Usually the attendance is sev- such a stupendous four-year eral times more than the task. But Dr. E. Stanley Jones bles before the advance of churches have at their regular has stirred the nation with his Christianity and Islam, and now services. life and message. He touched maintains itself chiefly on the all classes of people who are now -E. M. MOWRY, in The Ko- ready to go further in the way small islands of Bali, Lombok, rea Mission Field. of evangelism and social and Soemba, Soembawa and Timor, economic reform. With the in- spiration received from him, it also in the interiors of the is expected that local churches larger islands of Sumatra, Bor- will go forward in an aggressive neo, Celebes and New Guinea. and creative evangelistic effort The triumph of Christianity is reaching all classes of people, using every member of the everywhere apparent. Aft e r church, and adapting all legiti- little more than a century of mate methods of evangelism to Protestant missionary effort, make the movement successful. nearly 1,500,000 native Chris- tians have been won. One of its hardest tasks was on the island of Java, whose people are en- tirely Moslem, and here it has displayed one of its greatest tri- umphs. More than 40,000 Jav- anese, all Moslem converts of The Mustard Seed in Fiji the last eighty or ninety years, are Protestant Christians, and Somosomo, capital of Taveuni, in addition Roman Catholic mis- Fiji Islands, is referred to in sions claim more than 27,000 every account of early mission converts on the island. Every
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
year the number of Javanese It is hoped that attention may The financial objective is $10,- Christians by conversion from be focused on the vital problems 000,000, to be raised from indi- Islam is increasing by many of the day, and that both enthu- viduals and not from churches, hundreds, and the rate may be siasm and inspiration will come as the Board is anxious not to expected to increase. with the knowledge that so many interfere with the normal pro- -World Dominion Press. in all parts of the country are gram of the General Assembly.
simultaneously gathering for NORTH AMERIOA earnest thought of their relation Lutheran Ohurch in Sound The Great Delusion Picture to the affairs of the Church, the nation and the world.
The Evening Standard of Lon- To the Lutheran Church of don says that the people of the Reformed Ohurch Oentennial America goes the credit of pro- United States in 1937 purchased 1,000,000 more cases of Scotch The Board of Foreign Mis- ducing the first religious sound whiskey than they did in 1936. sions of the Reformed Church film ever presented in this coun- So great is the demand that Brit- will celebrate its Centennial this try by a Protestant denominaish shippers cannot sat is f y year. Plans for its observance tion. This production documents America's requirements. Ac- are grouped around four topics: the history of their church from cordingly it has been decided to education, finances, missionary Luther to the present day. Four commence this season's distill- day and other meetings. By edu- more films are planned and it is ing in Scotland much earlier cation is meant preparing for hoped they will equal, if not surthan in former years. the observance, and of first im- pass, the present one. The spirit portance is prayer; next, study of a crusading church runs American beer drinkers, says for which the Board expects to throughout the film. an Associated Press despatch issue a book giving a complete from Berlin, consumed 597,088 record of the Church's mission- -Presbyterian Tribune. gallons of German beer imported ary work. into the United States in 1937, Needy Mining Oommunities as compared with 56,126 gallons The slogan for the Centennial in 1934, an increase of more offering is "A Cent a Year for a Rural mmmg communities than 1,000 per cent. A still Hundred Years." In other present the most difficult of all higher record is predicted for words, a dollar a member for the home mission tasks, and are the this year. whole Church. This is the most needy. They have all the amount of the Foreign Mission disadvantages of both city and Advocates of repeal assured apportionment. It is hoped that country, without the advantages the American people that the many will want to contribute a of either. Taking H a r I a n legalization of liquor would hundred nickels or a hundred County, Kentucky, as an exbring prosperity to the United dimes or a hundred half dollars, ample, we see a community that States. The fact is, vast sums or more. has for years bled with strife. of American money are being Here the Congregational Church sent to Europe to make Scotch The Board of Foreign Mis- and the Methodist Episcopal distillers and German brewers sions was organized in the First Church, after two years of planprosper. Church in Lancaster, Pa., on or ning, have joined in a coopera- about the 29th of September, tive parish. Mine owners, man- Women to Oonsider Present 1838, and the Centennial cele- agers and leaders of the local bration service will be held there unions, join hands with the Problems at that time this year. Other Church and other social and wel- meetings will be held in various fare agencies in this organiza- Three national church wom- church centers, with outstanding tion, pledging their support and en's organizations-the Commit- missionary speakers. expressing their interest. tee on Women's Work of the Foreign Missions Conference, the Council of Women for Home Sesquicentennial Fund A similar development is go- Missions and the National Coun- ing forward at Van Hornesville, cil of Federated Church Women American Presbyterians gave N. Y., where Baptists and Meth- -are uniting in an appeal to the Foreign Missions Centennial odists, with the cooperation of church women in all the commu- Fund the right of way in 1937, Mr. Owen D. Young, whose innities of the country, said to deferring the Sesquicentennial terest in this community has number 77,000, to hold similar Fund for Christian Education, g a i ned national recognition, interdenominational luncheons approved by the 1936 General have pooled their interests and on Tuesday, May 3, 1938, to con- Assembly, until the years 1938, resources in the employment of sider together "Unity in Chris- 1939 and 1940. This Fund will a special worker in religious edutian Service." This is in accord- be used to stabilize the finances cation. Miss Elizabeth Harris, ance with a custom of the last of Presbyterian Colleges. It a well-prepared teacher in the few years in New York City, will furnish an opportunity to field of religious education, is when a May Day luncheon has strengthen Christian education giving her whole time to the been held for Protestant church which may not recur for a gen- boys and girls of this commuwomen. eration. nity.-Home Missions Council.
Largest Church School place in that regard also. The country districts by v a rio u S Baylor University, Baptist in- program for young people has means of travel, and has had unstitution at Waco, Texas, is credited with being the largest in the also advanced, including contin- usual acceptance from all classes world under church direction. It attracts students from seven ued emphasis on the conference of society. foreign countries and twentynine states. Its enrolment is program and the preparation of The work of translation of the more than 2,100. China has sent a delegation of six, Japan two, materials for young people's Scriptures into the languages of and Hawaii two Japanese. These students have been quite sociable classes and activities in local the indigenous populations has despite the warfare of their relatives in the homeland. Six of the churches. A magazine for young been continued and, in the case seven Puerto Ricans transferred people, Adelante, which means of some books of the Bible, has from the University of Madrid, Spain, from which they were "Forward," follows the world- been completed. This type of driven by the Spanish Civil War. There are three students from wide Christian Endeavor topics work among the native Indians Brazil, four from Mexico, and two from India. and gives regularly short, pithy of Central America has unusual -Watchman-Examiner. articles dealing with young peo- significance. pIe's problems. It is applicable " Student Manifesto to all Spanish-speaking coun- Colombia-Important At a recent meeting of pres- tries. -W. S. S. A. News. "About fifty per cent of the byteryof the United Church of Canada, in Edmonton, B. C., a In Mexico missionary force in Colombia group of students from St. serve towns which together con- Stephen's Theological College One of the accomplishments tain about 10 per cent of the presented a manifesto calling of the Cardenas' regime in Mex- population. There are 52: 'muupon the Church to take its ico has been the opening of Christian profession seriously. nearly 6,000 new rural schools, nicipalities' in the country, with They based their statements a 75 per cent increase in three between 20,000 and 100,000 popupon the following quotation years, with nearly 750,000 chilfrom Dean Inge: dren. There are still 1,500,000 ulation in each, but in some children of school age for whom thirty or more of these there is "Religion embodied in institu- there are no educational facili- no evangelical witness at all. In tions is like those chemical sub- ties, while secondary schools and this nation of nearly nine milstances which are never found the university are beyond the pure. . . . The religion now reach of all but a handful of the lion souls there are under 2,000 identified with the institution very well-to-do. Sixty per cent evangelical communicants, after mixes itself with certain forms of the population is illiterate. eighty years of endeavor. Much of belief and traditional modes of worship; it finds room for of the existing work is 011' a primitive superstitions and hal- small scale with weak resources, lowed traditions . . . it is often and in some instances efforts entangled with the tortuous policy of a hierarchy greedy for Infant mortality is nearly have been abandoned after a power and pelf; it is drawn into secular policies and identified three times as high as in the promlsmg opening. There is with non-religious interests." United States, and disease is evidence that Colombia is today The students felt that this has happened to the teachings of far too common. Even in Mex- ready to respond to the Gospel Christ. ico City, two-thirds of its mil- in a greater measure than ever -Christian Union Herald. lion people live in sub-human before. Probably three-quarters LATIN AMERICA conditions, preyed upon by tu- of the population are beyond the Puerto Rico's Many Children berculosis, typhoid, typhus and reach of the present provision Puerto Rico has the largest Sunday school enrolment of any rickets. It is obvious that much for evangelization, and the coun- Spanish-speaking country in the world, and with the growth of work remains to be done by try is still the most important the Daily Vacation Bible School movement will soon take first Christian churches. unevangelized field south of -Episcopal News. Panama." -Kenneth G. Grubb.
Advance in Guatemala Campa Indians, Peru In spite of many problems, very real advance has been made Of all the Indian tribes that in the Guatemala Mission dur- live in the Peruvian jungle, the ing the past year. A wide ener- Campa is the largest and most getic evangelistic campaign has savage. The jungle provides the been maintained, and, through Indian with everything he needs the Synod, the Mission has been for his daily life, except Christ, able to cooperate in various ways and He is not there. Perhaps with other Christian organiza- one may "find God in nature,"
tions. Schools have registered but while no one lives closer to the usual full attendance. Fu- nature than these wild savage ture evangelists are being pre- Indians of the jungle, no one is pared, and m e d i c a I work, more absolutely without God and centered in the Hospital in more ignorant of Him than they.
Guatemala City and including Campa Indians live in sin and the training of nurses, has been degradation, knowing nothing of carried on both in city and God, and unaware of their need
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
of Him. It would be difficult to Voice of the Andes in the Flemish posts of Ichfind a people more ignorant of teghem and Genck-where chilall spiritual values. "The Voice of the Andes," dren of Protestant parents had evangelical radio station, is con- been refused admission to the -Inland S. A. Union. tinuing with a full, and valuable public schools. Equipment and program. Each morning there funds for these day schools are Religious Freedom in Brazil is a fifteen-minute devotional coming from Dutch Christians reading, every week-day there is and from the parents of the chil- Although centralized author- an open forum and on Sunday dren themselves. ity is the keynote of the new con- there are two Gospel services. stitution of Brazil, President Regular listeners in Peru, Co- A Christian literature depot Vargas assures the continuance lombia and Central America has been opened at Eupen, where of religious freedom. Article 32 have expressed appreciation of the open Bible in a display winof the constitution reads: these messages. dow attracts much attention.
"It is prohibited that the Perhaps the most valuable Christian Union in Holland Union, the States or the munici- part of the program is the open pal authorities . . . should es- forum. An office has been Holland Christians are feeling tablish, support or hinder the opened in the center of Quito, keenly the danger which conexercise of religious worship." Ecuador, to which listeners are fronts the churches on the Con- Article 122, section 4, adds to invited to come for discussion tinent, and are expressing their this statement: "All individuals and personal instruction. Dis- desire for more unity in visible and religious. sects can exercise cussion groups have been formed ways. A recent example was the their beliefs publicly and freely, which have included professional great assembly for a united serv- I forming associations for this men and members of the Gov- ice in the Cathedral of Utrecht. purpose, and may acquire prop- ernment, the subject being the The service was conducted erty, in accordance with the person and work of Christ. jointly by an Old Catholic and a common right and the demands Protestant. The sermon was of public order and good cus- Newspaper evangelism is preached by a representative of toms." closely tied up with this; three the Dutch Reformed Church and daily papers in the three main dealt with the service of the As for religious teaching in towns of Ecuador have signed Christian Church in the modern the schools, it is stated that this contracts to publish Gospel arti- world. A later address dealt shall be regarded as part of the cles on alternate days. Wireless with the specific tasks of unity. curriculum of all primary, nor- sets are being lent to Christian The Dutch newspapers record mal and secondary schools, but families, in order that they may more interest in this expression that attendance shall not be com- gather their friends together in of ecumenical Christianity than pulsory. their own homes to hear the Gos- on any previous occasion. pel, and colporteurs are sent out – World Dominion Press. with sets to relay the messages -Advance. in villages. North Brazil Itinerary Waldensian Church Alive -World D.ominion Press. A worker of the Evangelical February 17 marked the nine- EUROPE tieth anniversary of the estab- Union of South America, as- lishment of freedom of worship "After Many Days" for the Waldensian Church of sisted by a native evangelist, has Italy. Today, the church is very Gospel plantings are coming much alive. There is standing undertaken an itinerant work in up in Belgium. One of the Di- room only at their services, and rectors of the Belgian Gospel in congregational singing fora North Brazilian field, consist- Mission, John C. Winston, re- eign visitors find them superior ports coming across early con- to any church in Christendom. ing of ten cities, sixty villages, verts of Ralph C. Norton every Their ministry as a group are now and then. Mission workers, the best trained, hardest workand "hamlets and other small as they go from house to house ing and lowest paid of all evan- and village to village, are find- gelical preachers. Most of their districts without number," with ing those who received the word theological students have had during the war, or before, and one or more terms of study a total population of more than have since come into newness of abroad, chiefly in Edinburgh. life. Just before his death, Mr. Their younger ministers as a 280,000. Ralph C. Norton had the joy of rule hold the degrees of Doctor leading a man to Christ to whom of Letters or Doctor of Laws Initial meetings on the border he had once given a New Testa- from one of the Italian universi- ment in an army camp eighteen ties. They are making worthof Pernambuco were most suc- years before. while contributions to the cul- tural life of the Italian people cessful, and about 300 people at- Last fall evangelical day schools were opened for children tended; but on the third evening the parish priest gathered a crowd, and tried to break up the meeting, without success, since most of the listeners were in sympathy with the missionaries.
At another point, intensely Cath- olic, ignorant and lethargic, there was no response. Work in other centers has been opened, and two families have been con- verted. -Life .of Faith.
through original work in poetry, Cairo, Helen J. Martin, presi- arated from the support of famusic, history and philosophy. natical believers. Perhaps a dent. passing trader, qua:r:tered in the They are faithful pastors and In the religious instruction neighborhood for a time, had visit regularly in the houses of turned them to Islam. It may be their parishioners, though their which has a central place in the that they know little Arabic; people are widely scattered. As curriculum, Christ the Saviour, they cannot read; they are far for the laity, many of them hold from a sheik or religious leader. high positions in Italian life as as well as Christ the teacher and These do not offer as strong opjudges, university professors, guide, is made known to the stu- position to the claims of Chrisphysicians, teachers, Govern- dents. The following is an tianity as do their more active and educated sectarians. Such ment officials, officers in the analysis of the student body by are the Mohammedans of Ethioarmy and navy, nurses, bankers, religions and nationalities: -pia. A conservative estimate of manufacturers and business their number would be between men. Everywhere in Italy they Religions Nationalities one and two million. They are ,are eminent for their trust- not well organized or educated; 245 Moslems 383 Egyptians for the most part, without effecworthy Christian character. 43 Protestants 20 Syrians tive leadership. 'They are pioneers in modern 15 Greek Ortho- 14 Armenians 12 Italians Many of them mix strange l>hilanthropy in Italy. Further- dox 9 Greeks pagan beliefs with their Mohammore, their religious education 99 Copts 8 Turkish medanism to such an extent that program, coupled with home 13 Armenians 3 Trakian they are really closer to the training, is establishing the 31 Jews 2 French pagans. Before Italian occupa- 9 Roman Cath- 2 Palestinian tion, Christianity was making young people in Christian atti- 8 Hegazi great inroads among the Mohamtudes and a working knowledge olics (Arabian) medans in Ethiopia. The govof the Bible. 3 Syrian Or- 2 Zanzibar ernment was Christian; modern education was Christian; the -Robert W. Anthony. thodox 1 Persian missionaries were Christian; the 1 Bahaist 1 Roumanian hospital and other philanthropic 1 Christian 1 American institutions w ere Christian. Christian pressure came from Scientist every side.
Total……………. 460 -Women's Missionary Magazine. -Christian Union Herald. Ethiopian Refugees in Kenya Russia Orders Religious Sudanese Young Men Census Permission has been granted As one outcome of the visit of the Bible Churchmen's Mission- From behind the thick screen Dr. John R. Mott to the Sudan ary Society to commence work last year the Unity of Fellow- among Ethiopian refugees in 'of Russian propaganda comes a ship, which includes men of all Kenya. About 8,000 of these Christian communions except refugees have made their way most significant story. It has to the Roman Catholic, has started across the border into Kenya, monthly meetings for young men and they have been accommo- ,do with the much publicized in Khartoum and vicinity. About dated by the British Government 200 assembled for the first meet- -at Isiolo, where the District census which was to have been ing. They are looking forward Commissioner resides. to having a Young Men's Chris- 'completed and announced re- Mr. David Stokes was leader tian Association. of the Society's former work in 'cently. But suddenly it was In North Sudan the churches Addis Ababa, and he has under- taken this new responsibility. abandoned and a new one or- are undertaking responsibility for sending evangelists to cities -The Life of Faith. -dered. Why? It seems obvi- of the Sudan who have no Prot- estant Church. It is the plan Walls Cut Away to Admit ously because it revealed some that the pastors of the five Crowd churches will take turns, so that very uncomfortable facts. It a monthly visit is made to some When World-Wide Commun- of these centers. These trips ion Sunday was observed by all showed, for example, that, trust- are financed by special offerings Presbyterians on October 29, taken in the churches, and the those present at Abong Mbang ing in the promise of religious Women's Missionary Society of (West Africa) Church num- the K h art 0 u m Evangelical bered nearly 1,200. Long befreedom, supposed to be assured Church has contributed money to make one trip possible. in the new Constitution, so many -Christian Union Herald. millions of citizens recorded themselves as believers that the government could not afford to have the failure of its anti-reli- gious work so definitely estab- lished. One careful estimate puts the number of believers at about one hundred million- more than one half of the popula- tion. Uprooting religious faith is not so simple a ma,tter as was supposed. -Advance.
AFRICA Islam in Ethiopia Many Races in Student Body A United Presbyterian mis- sionary to Ethiopia, C. F. Ken- Fourteen different nationali- neweg, differentiates between ties, professing ten different reli- entrenched strongholds of Islam gions, are to be found in the and its outlying fringes, where student body of the American its nominal followers are sep- Mission College for Girls, of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
fore the service began elders ran relatives and friends that he was turned away from our boarding· to the missionary saying: "What going to die, saying that God schools. One of us took a truck shall we do? The house is packed had told him so. When his rela- load of girls to the nearest town' and the second drum has not tives wept he said: 'Why do you so they could scatter out to their· sounded. Shall we cut away the cry? If I am going a journey homes, as they had come withoutside walls?" In a thatched to visit my earthly father you out first making arrangements. church this is a simple matter, would not cry, you would say and not all could possibly be acand all went to work with a will. Kwenda muzuri (good jour- commodated. We wish the work After serving the required ney); and now that I am going could always be lasting, but we: three years of preparation, 20 to my heavenly F'ather you cannot use the word "always." were admitted to membership; should do the same.' He sang But twenty fine young men and 60 were passed into the "second- hymn after hymn on the day of women were graduated from the year class" and 183 enrolled in his death, and exhorted all the Training School, most of whom people to make their peace with have caught the vision of servthe first year. -Monday Morning. God." ice. Two girls have been sent In Nasir Land out as Bible women, making five Training the Children Lottie M. Adair, United Pres- now at work. Their program in- byterian missionary in Nasir, The women's session of the cludes class meetings, children's Congo Native Council, held at Sudan, tries to make her home Leopoldville, Belgian Congo, was a center of servi~e. After being meetings, Sunday-school classes entirely in the hands of native away for seventeen months, she Christian women. One of the returns to find evidences of and teaching Bible in day findings of this session was: Christian growth in the lives of schools. Some assist in the day, "We must teach our children the people, with a deepened sense to pray to God. A mother can of responsibility for the spiritual schools. All of them, as far as. start teaching her child when it life of their neighbors. "But cannot even talk, by praying at they are able to find materials, bedtime and at meals. We can many still doubt the missionary's tell them stories of the childhood motives," she says. "When we have sewing classes. of Jesus and other Bible stories urge village schools most of the that are suited to them." parents still think that it is a "Their religious meetings are -Watchman-Examiner. scheme to get their boys away quieter, not so much demonstra- from them. Others do not want Stories from the Congo to take orders or work for any tion and more depth. Meetings Here are a few sidelights from white person, either for cash or throughout the year were much the Belgian Congo, showing how for cows. One father whose son the Gospel is entering hearts of was a boarder encouraged his helped by the ministration of black men: son in irregularity. He said to him, 'We do not need anything Bishop Springer who is also an "I found an old man sitting in the doorway of his hut and he of whites, we are not a poor fam- evangelist. At Chiduku he slept said, 'I have heard your news ily. Why should you go to often and often, and I have been in a grass hut with a pile of watching, and everything you school?' Others question, 'What people say comes to pass, so we grass for his bed, but that was know that you are people of will we get out of it?' truth.' Then he burst out, nothing, as he had more than 'Madamo, I want Life; I want "Our educational program inthese things of which you are cludes not only reading, writing thirty years of that before he telling me.' and arithmetic, but an apprecia- became a Bishop. Weare enter·. "I met a woman while going tion of such useful arts as they through a stretch of forest, to already have, and their enlarge- ing the new year with faith and whom I explained the Way of ment. Agriculture, as they in a courage." ' Life. As I started to move on, she said, 'I am not going to limited way practice it, is being WESTERN ASIA move. I am going to stand right improved slowly, but steadily, here while you tell me more. I through the work they are ac- Handicaps in Hospital Work want to know what this Heaven tually doing under supervision. We emphasize the dignity of The Syrian idea of a hospita} is death's ante-room. This is one labor. We also have a health of the missionary's most dis- program, which goes contrary to heartening problems, for not infrequently a patient prefers; their age-old ideas." remaining at home for certain death, rather than trust the haz- -Christian Union Herald. ards of a hospital. For the most part, the hospital physician is of which you are speaking.' " never sees the disease in its, "Two evangelists went down early stages.
Mrs. Glenn Rost, R.N., of Aleppo, gives a concrete example of this in Aboud, an eleven-year- old boy, whose parents brought him "three days walking" to see Crowded Schools at Umtali the American doctor. This lad presented a very severe infecto Bomili district for a month. Pearl Mullikin, of the Meth- tion of the left foot and leg, rap- On their way they stopped at the odist's Umtali Mission, sends a idly extending. When the fam- village of a Christian and found review of last year's work. ily were offered surgery (free of him very ill. He had told all his "Great crowds are being charge) the parents refusedI
When told that the boy should for their Lord they are often renewed interest in Jesus Christ be hospitalized, they refused. crucifying Him anew, and very on the part of the Jews. As one Likewise when offered the free nearly denying Him. One such of the evidences he cites an aruse of the hostel on the com- rare Christian is Vartuhi, which ticle in the December, 1937, Atpound, hoping thus to be able to is Armenian for Rose. When lantic M 0 nth 1y, entitled "An control his care in a measure, it missionaries first came to Kir- Epistle to the Jews," writen by was refused and they took the kuk, her town, she said: "For one John Cournos, a Jew. Again, boy home to an inevitable and two years I pray to God to send Rabbi Isserman, of St. Louis, rapidly approaching termination missionary to Kirkuk, and when speaking before the Chicago -death. The only value gained I hear you have come I say, Sunday evening Club, stressed by such a trip seemed to be the Glory to God." the necessity of the Jews' remeager advice one could give to- claiming Jesus. In New York, ward his care at home. This widow of an Armenian Rabbi Rosenbloom spoke in a pastor and mother-in-law of the similar vein, though he was bit- However, once they make up man who was later to become an terly attacked by another rabbi. their mind to enter the hospital evangelist had been holding In all these references, the emthey give themselves completely weekly prayer meetings for phasis is on Jesus as a great and trustingly into the care of women. prophet of Israel, but in no sense the doctors and nurses, and for a Redeemer. the most part are very coopera- Her chief ministry is visiting tive. On several occasions when the sick and troubled. With -Monday Morning. asked: "Would you like to get feeble step she gets into every up?" a patient has replied, "If corner of Kii·kuk and never The Second Hundred Years you want me to." misses anyone in need of en- couragement and prayer. Often We are told that "the first Mourning Technique in she takes a group of church hundred years are the hardest." Near East women to the sick room, to sing Dr. J. Ross Stevenson, President- the hymns, read the Scripture emeritus of Princeton Seminary, The same perfunctory wailing lesson and review the message lists several reasons why, in the follows the "Great Reaper" in from the morning service, no case of foreign missions, the secthe Near East as one reads about matter what the race or creed of ond hundred years will be the in the Gospel story of J airus' the person visited. hardest: a vast, unevangelized daughter. It is always carried population in every mission on by the women. There are A year and a half ago she was field; a growing spirit of nationthose who make it a profession, hit by an automobile in Baghdad alism seeking to establish a state and can be hired to lead the and received a bad fracture of religion subservient to civil and weeping and swell the volume. the upper left arm. Owing to military authority, but tran- The ceremony is put on with her weak heart the doctors at scending all other faiths; a desuch abandon as to leave the par- the government hospital feared cline in the prestige that ticipants completely worn out. to subject her to the operation Christian nations have had, and They work themselves into a necessary for the proper repair a consequent loss in moral infrenzy, tear their hair and beat of the splintered bone. During fluence; secularized education their breasts for perhaps ten her· suffering she continually which antagonizes or ignores reminutes, and then can be heard read her Bible and prayed. Once ligion; a rejuvenized paganism talking naturally as they walk when the pain became unbear- that directly attacks the Chris- .about. able she asked the nurse for tian faith. relief and the nurse angrily re- This procedure is the standard plied, "Oh, pray to your God and "Mary Reed Day" for Lepers ,custom; it would be considered let Him heal you." Soon after .sacrilege to omit it. The mourn- that they brought her home to Mary Reed, pioneer in leper ing is carried on for three days Kirkuk where purely by the work, who has devoted nearly and at the end of that time the grace of God she did recover and fifty years to that service in Inwomen of the household are ex- what is more, has the use of her dia, under the Methodist Womhausted, to say nothing of the arm and hand again. She is an's Foreign Missionary Society, little children who have wit- filling an important place in celebrated her eighty-third birthnessed the proceedings, often in Kirkuk in this voluntary service. day on December 4. Churches in great terror. her home city, McConnellville, -Outlook of Missions. Ohio, celebrated the occasion. -PresbyterianBoard News. MISOELLANEOUS Despite her age, Mary Reed is Faithful Witness in Iraq still at Chandag Heights, India, Jews Renew Interest in Ohrist continuing her ministrations to It is rare to find a faithful, the lepers. Rev. George C. witnessing Christian among the Dr. Conrad Hoffman, secre- Southwell suggests the annual Armenians of Iraq. Persecution tary for Jewish Work under the observance of "Mary Reed Day," .and massacre have either made Presbyterian Board of National on the Sunday nearest her birththem bitter or so filled them with Missions, has written the mem- day. fear, that far from witnessing bers of his advisory committee that there are many evidences of
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information "Goforth of China." By his wife. or social service might be. He lics are popUlated by a mixed lIlus, 8vo. Price, $1.50. The Zon- had a divine passion for souls population of Indians, Negroes dervan Publishing House, Grand and was persuaded that the only and Mestizos or Ladinos. Social Rapids, Michigan. 1937. means of salvation is the cruci- fied and regnant Christ. He conditions are low and religion It is not often that the con- would go into heathen areas and is largely superstition. amongst men of dense prejudice, tents of a book may be antici- superstition and opposition, and The maps in this volume are pated by its cov~r. But,it i~ so proclaim the Saviour as .if his clear and informing, showing all in this case, for Its covermg IS a listeners knew all about Him, or, the principle mission stations of if not this, must know all about parable, the meaning of which is Him. God confirmed his faith some twenty societies. The and daring, for rich and poor, Protestant or E van gel i c a I clear. The jet black cloth sug- high and low, were saved, and a Churches number 108,600, of gests the dark!less ~f heath~n multitude of Christian churches whom 41,188 are communicant ism; and the bright gIlt lettermg were organized in China and Manchuria. He thus taught the members. They comprise about of the title proclaims the glory missionary body a great lesson, one in every 78 of the popula- and one which God's servants tion. of God, such as surrounded will do well to take to heart. There are general chapters the earthly life of Dr. Goforth Mrs. Goforth has not written covering all the republics and of herself, but between the lines and now enshrines his Heavenly we can perceive that her life has others dealing with each of the been as devoted and beautiful as six separately. The appendices life. This is an arresting qual- that of her husband. and diagrams deal with statistics ity of the volume and it becomes H. W. FROST. that show the work and fields of each mission, the converts, and a constraint to the one who holds Religion in Central America. By adherents, medical and educa- tional work and the languages it to read its pages eagerly and Kenneth G. Grubb. Illus. 8vo. used. There is a good index and the pictures show the people, the carefully. . 147 pp. 5sh. World Dominion It is a daring thing for a wIfe Press. London. 1937. attractiveness of the scenery and to write the life of her husband, Here is another valuable sur- vey volume, with chapters, for one is likely either to write maps, diagrams and statistics that show the past progress, the too frankly or not frankly present situation and the pros- pects for Christian missions in enough. But Mrs. Goforth has the six republics of Central A meri.ca. been guided by the Spirit into a The history of this part of middle course. She adored her America goes back to the Maya PARENTS … husband and greatly admired his civilization nearly two thousand missionary zeal', but she saw his yeals ago. The Maya architec- In the Foreign Mission Field faults and speaks honestly 0f ture and SC.lent·Ific achl'evements Endorse Calvert: School them. Her portrayals, therefore, still awaken admiration. These are sincere and true, with the re- people worshiped the gods of Home St:udy Courses suIt that she presents a man who earth and sky, with temples and I'S definl'tely human. Thl's I'S well, elaborate ritual. Then came the For Children retrogression which Rom a n for we humans are most in- Catholics from Europe did not I fluenced by the example of other overcome. Today the six repubhumans. But we want the hu- tCioanlveDret pSacrhtomo~lntt,hrowuigllh giit,s:eHoymouer cnhsitlrdu,ca- superior elementary education ',' • by mall, man, whoever he is, to be in- regardless of where you may live. Moddwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Dr. Goforth, as de- escrnh~olapaprreovbeedingcouusrseeds bfyropmaretnhtiss aflal moovuesr scribed by his wife, becomes more than an example " he is an the world with outstanding success.
inspiration. Give your children the advantages of these The paramount lesson of the interesting lessons, carefully chosen ~ook~, book is the necessity and worth of direct evangelism. Dr. Go- and attractive materials. Instruction ,IS forth never allowed himself to uCnadlveer rtth'se ppreormsoinnaelngt uainddanscueccoefsstfeualchperi:vsaItne be turned aside from the simple day school in Baltimore. preaching of the Gospel, however tempting educational work Write today for booklet of complete in- formation. Costs are low.
, CALVE~T SCHOOL 180W. Tuscany Road '
Baltimore + Maryland Any of the books noted In these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price, [207 ]
some results of mISSIOn work. The Open Door in China. A Spir- istic theories as to the origin and Everyone interested in the itual Interpretation of Missions, by development of all religion, illusevangelization of Central Amer- Martin A. Hopkins. (Paper.) Re- trated in the history of the ica will find this new survey of ligious Tract Society, Hankow, world's chief religious beliefs. real value. China. 1937. He briefly surveys man's search for truth in Babylonia, Egypt, For the Mountains. An Autobiog- These furlough addresses, raphy by William Goodell Frost. With Introduction by Albert Bush- given at various conferences, Greece, Rome, India, Persia, nell Hart. Illustrated. Indexed. 352 pp. $3.00. Fleming H. Revell. deal with the Open-Door policy China, and Arabia, and as it is New York, London, Edinburgh. for a Lost World, The Real Rea- seen in Modernism.
1937. son for Foreign Missions, The From the treatment here one A former president of Berea Premillenial Hope and Missions, might easily get the idea that gives here the whole story of his life, which to him has been char- T.he Bible as the Basis for a .R.e- different civilizations produced acterized by a marked unity. In vIval, ??rayer, The Holy SPIrIt, the various great religions, so far as any eager spirit is ever ~alvat~on by G~ace, The Church .•.whereas, as Dr. G. M. Grant, of satisfied, he views his earlier m Chma, Go~ s. Ideal Servl;tnt Queens University, Canada, has years with satisfaction. Of his and The AfflIctIons of qhr~st. pointed out, "Every systematized youth he could sincerely say, These. addre.sses ~re. co~vm~mg religion has given birth to a civwith Wordsworth, "Fair seed- an~ stImulatmg, ~Ibh~al m Vl~W- ilization." It would have been time had my soul"; and his p.omt and practIcal I~ apphca- more satisfactory to deal directly young manhood is to him both a tIon. They. are well Illustrat~d with the different theories of the happy flowering of :the seed and promise for the time of full fruit. fro!ll experIence at home and m origin of religion, and draw il- Then follows in detail the account of the later twenty-eight Chma. lustrations from the great reliyears when he was largely instrumental in bringing Appala- The Story of Topsy. By Mildred gions of the world. chian America into recognition, Cable and Francesca French. Iland in opening that section to lustrated. 8vo. 212 pp. 5 sh. net. Unfortunately the author's education through Berea College. zeal for truth inclines him to Hodder and Stoughton, London. The story is one of intense ac- occasional acrimonious exprestivity, often under difficulties, 1937. that involved weariness and dis- sions such as are too often found appointment. Tremendous zest is seen in Dr. Frost's manner of Miss Cable and Miss French in discussions involving differwriting: in rapid-running sen- are already well known for their ences of religious opinion. Aptences, with their frequent fascinating books of missionary parently the proofs were careinitial "ands"; in unwearied de- adventure in the Gobi desert and lessly read, as various sentences tail and comment. "Such ex- Central Asia; also for their "The are incomplete. periences push into forgetfulness all pains and hardships," says Making of a Pioneer" and "Am- Dr. Whiteley has included the author, but really, says the bassadors for Christ." The lat- much that is worth while, both reader, into their own place in a ter is an unusually fine book for in information and criticism. life felt to be good. Dr. Frost missionary volunteers. Now Perhaps his most valuable point enjoyed it all greatly. His cen- comes a story for young people, is his emphasis on the fact that tral achievement was creative. one with the same charm, the monotheism was not the result Possessed of traditions in educa- same evidence of Christian love of an evolutionary process, betion but not bound by them, he and courage and fidelity to ginning with the most primitive freely combined and adapted his Christ, as we have found in the superstitions; but that the origmaterials; the result was orig- missionary pioneering narra- inal religion was monotheistic. inal. tives. It is the story of a young He calls attention to the now begger girl, deaf and dumb in growing view that belief in one The book has documentary her early years, rescued from Supreme Being preceded polysignificance other than auto- abuse and poverty, won to theism, a view supported by evibiographic. Those interested in Christ and lead out into a beau- dence quite apart from the Berea College will find here ma- tiful Christian life. There is testimony of divine revelation. terial previously scattered, not also much interesting light on The author also stresses the widely accessible, or not in print. the life and customs of Central fact that the nearer we approach Here are Berea's background, Asia. It is an especially inter- the origin of any religion the early history, and .development esting book for young girls. until Dr. Frost's retirement less corrupt it appears, this fact from its presidency in 1920. in itself pointing to a pure foun- MARY B. SMITH. Reaching Upward, or Man's Age- tain as its source, and con- long Search for Truth. By Charles D. Whiteley, D.D., Pastor, 'First versely.
Presbyterian Church, Albemarle, Even with the limitations in- N. C. 182 pp. $1.50. Zondervan dicated, there is a large amount Publishing House, Grand Rapids, of historical information in this Mich. 1937. modest volume, as well as sug- Here is an excellent plan in- gestions for special Bible studies differently carried out. The au- and study courses. Although the thor seeks to show the contrast book is not well documented, between Christianity, the one there are numerous quotations. revealed faith, and the natural- ROBERT M. KURTZ.
Books TI-IE IDEAL GIFT AT ALL
Bible Problems Solved. George H. GOD'S MINUTE ••• A. Spiritual Gudebrod. 385 pp. $2.75. Put- thoughtJor nams. New York. Here is a marvelous collection of 365 Daily Prayers, every day each 60 seconds long, written by 365 of the most emi- George Bowen of Bombay. Robert nent preachers and laymen in the world. Cloth. 60 • E. Speer. 366 pp. $2.50. Mission- cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. ary Review Pub. Co. New York. A. daily GOD'S MESSAGE •• reminderoJ Five Minutes to Twelve. Adolph Keller. $1.00. 125 pp. Cokesbury 365 prominent clergymen have chosen their favorite the giver Press. Nashville. Scripture passage, and, with this as a text, have written a Message that quickens faith. brings comfort. Cloth, How Tbey Live in Congoland. W. F. 60 cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. P. Burton. 159 pp. 2s. Pickering & Inglis, London. THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Phlla.
Mission Memoirs. R. Petter. 79 pp. latest news of the work of Pres- For next day's trip-at dawn the call Mrs. R. Petter, Lame Deer, Mont. byterian missionaries and Chris- ,arouses, tian nationals? They are printed The Qur'an. Volume I-Surahs on the field and mailed direct to When all you want to do is to lie 1-XXIV. Richard Bell. $6.00. 343 the subscriber. They are: Co- still. pp. Chas. Scribners, New York, lombian Clippings, The Drum and T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh. Call (Africa), Guatemala News, If you can take a school of little chil- Korean Mission Field, Mexican dren, The Rapture of Saints. Dr. Herbert Moments, Philippine Presbyte- Lockyer. 126 pp. ls. Pickering & rian, Siam Outlook, Syria News And train their minds and teach of Inglis. London. Quarterly and West India Mis- Jesus too, sion Notes. Gambia. John Laughton. 36 pp. And watch them grow as they con- S. P. G. London. "If"-A Missionary Version fess the Saviour, Studies in the Book of Daniel. Sec- If you can rise up early in the morn- And bring to other children the ond Series. Robert Dick Wilson. ing, good news too. 286 pp. $2.50. Revell. New York. To hear the sound from front and If you can take your work with all its Moga – Training School for Village back porch too failures, Teachers. 1. M. and A. E. Harper. 163 pp. 25 cents. Publicity Dept., Of little girls and boys, with needs too The task unfinished -leave with Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- numerous, Jesus too, sions, New York. For soap and salt and books and Yours is a peace and satisfaction, but Poison Peddlers. Dan Gilbert. 102 clothing too. what is more, pp. 35 cents. Zondervan Pub. House. Grand Rapids. If you can then sit down and eat your You know the joy that missionaries breakfast do. Prophecy and the Tottering Nations. Keith L. Brooks. 100 pp. $1.00. With mind upon a dozen things -MAY F. TAYLOR-With apol- Zondervan Pub. House. New York. outside, ogies to Kipling.
Long Suffering Love. Paul M. Of school palavers and disputes to Personal Item. Tharp. 144 pp. 35 cents, paper; settle, 75 cents, cloth. Fundamental Truth Rev. M. E. Dodd, First Baptist Publishers. Findlay, Ohio. Needing the wisdom of Solomon to Church, Shreveport, La., is on an air- decide. plane tour of South American Baptist Educational Missions at Work. mission stations. He will report his Edited by H. P. Thompson. 128 If you can then start out to the dis- findings to the Southern Baptist Con- pp. ls. 6d. S. P. G. in F. P. pens'ry vention. London. Where sick and suffering await you Dr. Arthur H*. C*omp*ton, 1937 Nobel Magazines Printed on the Field at the door, prize winner and co-chairman with How many know that there And search your mind to know how Dr. John H. Finley of the laymen's are nine foreign countries in you may help them, committee of the $10,000,000 Presbywhich monthly or quarterly mag- terian Sesquicentennial Fund for azines are published giving the Praying you will not kill off one or Christian Education, has succeeded more. the late Newton D. Baker as Prot- FEATURES: estant co-chairman of the National Introduction, by George Shaw, B.D. If you can hurry back to find an Conference of Jews and Christians. The Lesson Verse by Verse, byD.J. Fant,Jr. orphan, Le..ontfromtheLesson, byl.E. David,Ph.D. President Ha*ch*iro *Yuasa, of Do- The Beginners J Class, by E. M. Jones. "The mother died and what are we The Primory Class, by S. M. Rudy. to do?" shisha University, Japan, recently The Junior Class, by A. M. Frencb. tendered his resignation to the Board The Intermediate Class, by M. E. MacPhee. And ask yourself, as tempted .to re- of Trustees. It is reported that the The Les.on IUustrated, by A. M. French. ject it, resignation has no connection with the difficulties from reactionary elements Soad "Now if He were here, just what which have beset the path of the would Jesus do?" president since his assumption of office. The trustees of Doshisha re- If you can take a trip to Nanga- gretfullyaccepted the resignation. EbOko . The Rev. G. *W.*Bo*uldin, D.D., the With school girls and porters not a few, former president of the Seinan Col- lege in Fukuoka, Japan (Southern And go from town to town and give Baptist), has returned to take the the gospel, pastorate of the Yokohama Union Church, which ministers to the for- And climb the hills and wade the eign community of the city. rivers too.
If you can then sit down in small bark houses, And visit with the people, dispense pills.
/)0. NotMU4 THE MOSLEM
PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY SOME ARTICLES IN THE APRIL NUMBER "With All Boldness" Samuel M. Zwemer Islam in the Chanson d'Antioch Robert S. Darbishire Ethiopia: Moslem or Christian? • Paul Simpson McElroy The Nubians of Today S. J. Enderlin Woman's Status in Islam Begum Sultan Mir Amiruddin The Moslem Convert and Polygamy Gerrit J. Pennings The Prophet of Islam Arthur Jeffery Dr. Alphonse Mongana C. P. Groves Pakistan: The Rebirth of a Nation G. L. $chanzlin Book Reviews~~~Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster :. ~ SUBSCRIBE NOW ;fi .: 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with __ THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF fHE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN! OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the 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 166 Fifth Avenue, New York
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 — December 1937
1937
A Kurdish Christian Prophet J. Christy Wilson Sermon by a Converted Moslem Sa'eed Kurdistani First Five Centuries of Christianity Kenneth Scott Latourette The Evangelical Church in Brazil Miguel Rizzo, Jr.
In the Midst of European Revolutions Adolph Keller The Dilemma of Japanese Christians T. T. Brumbaugh Faith Working by Love in Japan Winburn T. Thomas 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Mrs. McDougall was born in Detroit, PARENTS
Michigan, June 13, 1869, the daughter December 12-Universal Bible Sun- of the late Arthur T. Pierson and In the Foreign Mission Field day. Sarah Frances Benedict. Subsequent- Endorse Calvert School ly she lived in Indianapolis, Philadel- Home Study Courses January 2-9-1938 Universal Week of Prayer. phia and Brooklyn, moving to Upper for Children Montclair, New Jersey, in 1917, where NATIONAL PREACHING MIS- she made her home with her brother, Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- SION the Editor of THE REVIEW. She mar- tion Department, will give your child a ried Mr. McDougall in 1928 following superior elementary education … by mail, December 2-S–.Tacksonville, Fla. regardless of where you may live. Mod- a year and a half spent in Japan with ern, approved courses from this famous Obituary Notes her sister, Mrs. Frederick S. Curtis, school are being used by parents all over the world with outstanding success. and with her friends of the Kwato Mission in Papua. For forty years Mrs. McDougall was active in various forms of Christian work in connection Give your children the advantages of these The Rev. John McDowell, D.D., with the Church and various mission- interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Associate Director of the Department ary organizations. For some years she and attractive materials. Instruction is of Social Education and action of the has been the volunteer Promotion Sec- under the personal guidance of teachers in Board of Christian Education of the retary in America for the Kwato Mis- Calvert's prominent and successful private day school in Baltimore. Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and sion of Papua. formerly moderator of the General Write today for booklet of complete in- Assembly of the Church, entered into The Rev. Dr. Paul W. Koller, for formation. Costs are low. rest on November 13th after under- nine years executive secretary of the going a major operation. Dr. Mc- Board of Foreign Missions of the Dowell was born in Scotland in 1870 United Lutheran Church, died Noand was brought to America by his vember 11th at Baltimore, Md., at parents when two years old. He was the age of 65. graduated from Mt. lIermon School Dr. Koller was born in Glen Rock, and from Princeton University and after a special course in the Theo- Pa., and educated at Gettysburg (Pa.) ment be extended to foreign lands and logical Seminary was pastor succes- College. He attended Gettysburg Dr. Boville spent a year in the Far Theological Seminary, was ordained East founding schools. sively of churches in Steelton, Pa.; in 1897. After serving pastorates in Detroit, Michigan; Newark, New Cleveland, Ohio; Hudson, N. Y., and *** Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland. Mansfield, Ohio, in 1921 he was named Canon Streeter, provost of Queen's He was Religious Work Director dur- president of the Lutheran Synod of College, Oxford, and Mrs. Streeter ing the War and in 1919 became a Ohio. In 1928 he was elected to the were killed in a plane crash in Switzsecretary of the Board of Home Mis- post he held at his death. He had erland, September 10. Dr. Streeter sions, later the Board of National served as a member of the committee was a scholar' and theologian of high Missions, of the Presbyterian .Church. of Reference and Counsel of the For- ability. His writings have been He was a popular speaker at summer eign Mission Conference of North widely read in this country. conferences and was author of several volumes, including one on Dwight L. America, and had been a member of *** Moody, one on "The Christian Spirit the Missionary Laymen's Executive in Industry," and one on "Christian Bishop William H. Heard, of the Essentials." He is survived by his Committee and the executive commit- African Methodist Church, died in a wife, and one daughter, Mrs. Robert tee on cooperation in the Near East. Philadelphia Hospital September 12, C. Cory. A biographical sketch of at the age of 87. He had attended the Dr. McDowell will appear in an early He also had served as president of World Faith and Order Conference in issue of THE REVIEW. Edinburgh, and while there experi- the conference of Foreign Mission enced difficulty in obtaining hotel ac- … … … Boards of Lutheran Churches in commodations. Dr. Temple, Arch- bishop of York, offered him the hos- Dr. Frank W. Bible, the Central America. pitality of his home. District Home Base secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Mary *** B. Koller, and a daughter, Miss Kath- erine Koller, Professor of English at Bryn Mawr Co..l.leg..e. . …
Presbyterian Church, died in Chicago, The Rev. Dr. Robert George B.o- .T. Harvey Borton, a Philadelphia Ill., November 15th after an illness of ville, founder of the Daily Vacation business man, well known in religious several months. He was born in Bible School movement in the United circles, died on October 80th in the Milesburg, Pa., July 18, 1877, and States and director of the world-wide Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, after graduation from Park College organization for the religious educa- following an operation. He was born and from Auburn Theological Semi- tion of children, died in Yonkers, N. at Rancocas, New Jersey, sixty-five nary, he went as a missionary to Y., on November 8th. Dr. Boville years ago, and lived at Moorestown, China in 1904. There he taught in lived in Riverdale, N. Y., and was N. J. He was connected with the the Hangchow Christian College for eighty-three years old. Hajoca Corporation, manufacturers fifteen years. On his return to Amer- Dr. Boville was born in Belfast, Ire- of plumbing supplies, and was a ica in 1919, he became associate gen- land, and came to New York from a member of the Executives Association eral secretary of the Committee of pastorate in Hamilton, Ontario, in of Philadelphia. Reference and Council for the Foreign Missions Conference of N. A. and in 1901 to become secretary of the Bap- Mr. Borton was an active member tist City Mission. That same year he 1924 was elected· district secretary. of of the Society of Friends and a frethe Presbyterian Board. Dr. Bible began the nation's first daily vacation made a tour of the world in 1930-l. Bible schools. He found a group of quent speaker at the Sunday services With his extensive knowledge of con- young college and seminary students at Girard College. He was also chairditions both at home and abroad, he who were willing to donate their varendered valuable service in promot- man of the council of the V:ictorious cation time to religious training for ing foreign missionary interest. Life Testimony, which directs the these children. One thousand children * .. * were enrolled the first year. work of the Pioneer Mission Agency, Anna Pierson .McDqugall, the wife Dr. Boville traveled throughout the the Keswick Colony of Mercy Kes- country organizing Bible schools. By of Mr. Walter McDougall for tWenty wick Grove, N. J., and summe'r conyears the treasurer of the Missionary 1916 the movement had spread and ferences held at Keswick Grove' Review Publishing Co., entered into the organization was incorporated as the International Association of Daily chairman of the board of trustees of the Life Beyond on Sunday, November Vacation Bible Schools. Missionaries the Belgian Gospel Mission; and a 7th, following a serious operation. in the Orient requested that the move- member of the board of directors of the Sunday School Times Company.
His wife, Alice McClure Borton and a daughter survive him. '
MISSIONARY Do You When the good
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Read the Old Testament calls you East … sail DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor Understandingly? p&O VOL. LX DEC., 1937 No. 12 How often have you longed for This year marks a full century of P & 0 Publication and Business OIDce– a book that service to the lands beyond Suez! Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. would present the historical, geo- Whenever you are called to the other graphical, cultural and archae- side of the world, choose this tradi- Editorial and Executive OIDce– ological backgrounds of the Great tional route. Cross to England by 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Book, and thus make the study Cunard White Star •.. and there Entered as second-class matter at of the Bible more meaningful? embark in a great liner of the P & 0 and British India fleets, led by the Post OIDce, Harrisburg, Pa., under JAMES C. MUIR, noted autltorHy and new 22,5oo-ton Strathnaver, Strath- Act of March 3, 1879. lecturer on the Old Testament has just aird and Strathmore. Regular service completed a new and unusnal book that to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. sweeps away the mists of unreality with Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. which time has enshrouded the old China, Japan, Australia, East and Published monthly, except August. Testament narratives – the title, South Africa, Mauritius. Low rates. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan HIS TRUTH ENDURETH Convenient through bookings can be arranged and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, by your local travel agent or any office of London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Tltls boole Is more fascInating titan fIction. 10 shillings a year. It enables the student to assimilate more CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE readily the backgrounds of the Old MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Testament. Here is the story of the GENERAL AGENTS LISHING CO., INC. rise of civilization, the history of peoples who were contemporary with the chil- 25 Broadway and 638 FifthAve.,NewYork BOARD OF DIRECTORS dren of Israel in Old Testament days, ROBERT E. SPEER, President together with the latest archaeological A. L. WABNBHUIB, Vice-President information bearing on the many sub- WALTER McDoUGALL, Treasurer jects covered in the book. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary You Need This Book SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Buy It Today From Your Bookseller D. J. FANT List Price $2.50 MRB. ORRIN R. JUDD NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO. PHILADELPHIA WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH 180,640 Net New Believers in 9 Years in Korea SAMUEL M. ZWEMER This is equivalent to Editorial Chat 70 new parishes of 300 helievers each The Editor and Board of Directors year. Some mission fields haven't of THE REVIEW extend very cordial won 20,000 in 50 years. Christmas greetings to our readers, What is the "secret" of it all? missionaries and other Christian friends in every land. The picture of May it be the Bible emphasis? a warring world is a sad commentary on humanity's response to the Gospel Last year the Korean Church held of peace, but the very fact that man- ~,344 Week-Long Bible Conferences. kind shows so little evidence of ac- (J7R,SJ3 attendance.) ceptance of Christ and His Gospel is 10.0oo!n Bible Correspondence. a compelling reason for carrying His message of life and love to every part S4'.~68 III Sunday Schools. of the world by the power of the Holy 55.075 in Bible Vacation Schools. Spirit at Christmas time and without ',500 in 6-10 Week Bible Institutes. ceasing. May this "NEVIUS METHOD" he the This and other numbers of THE Dynamic of All Methods. REVIEW give encouragement by telling how this work is being done and God Honors His Word. how God is making the work fruitful. Read Korea t" Story in the New Book Read the back cover of THE REVIEW "THE NEVIUS PLAN FOR MISSION for our special offer. WORK IN KOREA" (370 pages). *** By CHARLES ALLEN CLARK. Ph.D.• D.D. THE REVIEW is to puhlish Dr. (35 years in Korea.) Speer's new book-a life of George Bowen, one of the most unique and Postpaid-~ remarkable of all the missionaries to India, who died about fifty years ago. CHRISTIAN LITERATURE SOCIETY. Note the announcement on the back Seoul, Korea ~ – – – – – – – Y5.oo cover. E. C. HEINZ, * '" * S6~' 5th Ave. S.. Minneapolis, Minn. $t.OO "I want to congratulate you on [ 561 ] your Rural (June) issue. You have assembled a lot of fine material on the rural church."-Dr. Wm. R. King, Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council.
"THE REVIEW*, in* my* opinion, is one of the best periodicals that come to me. I always welcome it and find inspiring articles in it."
WM. JAY SCHIEFFELIN, New York.
TEACHElRS IN CAMPINAS SEMINARY-FOREIGNERS AND
STUDElNTSAT THE CAMPINAS THE"OLOGICAL SEMINARY, BRAZIL (See Article by Dr, Miguel Rizzo, page 576)
NARY
ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1937 Topics of the Times WAR AND MISSIONS IN CHINA dun, the Chinese troops saying "They shall not pass!" and Japan pouring in a continual stream The Chinese armies in the Shanghai area be. of soldiers with superior mechanized equipment. gan (on October 27th) a well-executed retreat Bombing of cities, railways and other lines of from their first lines of defense to a second line south and west of Soochow Creek. This brought communication in this area has been continuous the fighting into areas adjacent to the French for two months. Soochow, Kiangyin, Chinkiang Concession and Nantao, the old Chinese city, and and Nanking have suffered from especially freforced the evacuation of St. John's University, quent and severe air raids. Recently in a bomb- St. Mary's School for Girls, The Seventh Day ing of Sungkiang, 50 miles southwest of Shanghai, Adventist Sanitarium and other institutions. The the splendid center of Southern Methodist miseffects of the severe struggle have been felt on sionary work and lay-training, suffered heavily. the edges of the International and French settle- The Girls' School was set on fire, a missionary ments and from stray shells falling into these residence was demolished and other buildings settlements. Many mission and interdenomina- were damaged. tional organizations were forced for a time to move from their offices near the Bund. Communi· The landing of Japanese troops on the northcations with inland China have been maintained ern shores of Hangchow Bay, south of Shanghai, by bus and motor car service. An increasing may endanger mission centers at Sungkiang, number of missionaries who were sojourning tem- Kashing and Huchow. Christian work is being porarily at other ports or summer resorts have maintained at Hangchow and cities south and been returning to Shanghai and some have gone west. Hangchow Christian College has an enon to their inland stations. A large missionary rollment now of 500, Wayland Academy (Baptist) colony, chiefly mothers and children, is now in has over 1,000 students and the Union Girls' the buildings of the Shanghai American School. School has re-opened. Soochow, 50 miles west The National Christian Council, mission head- of Shanghai, is affected more seriously. The three quarters and other central offices are keeping in Christian hospitals there are crowded with touch with missionaries and churches in the in- wounded and Soochow University is being used terior by means of radio and a limited mail service to house wounded and refugee civilians. Missionwhich has been remarkably efficient considering ary doctors and nurses are staying on. difficulties of transportation. Chinese ~hurches in the settlements and out of the immediate fight- Since the partial destruction of Central Goving zone are continuing their regular services of ernment Hospital in Nanking by an air raid on worship and are undertaking many forms of re- September 25 the University (Drum Tower) lief work. The presence of hundreds of thousands Christian Hospital has had to carry a double burof refugees in Shanghai, who face the winter den of medical aid and relief work. This hospital without food and shelter, constitutes a grave prob- has cabled word of its desperate need for medical supplies, especial anesthetics, tannic acid and anti-tetanus serum. Other mission hospitals in the three eastern provinces of Chekiang, Kiangsu lem. and Anhwei are meeting heroically the emergency Nanking is 200 miles northwest of Shanghai, demands upon their services, with diminished in- come from fees and serious shortage of supplies. Hangchow 150 miles southwest. These three cities form a triangle which is becoming a great Ver- The University of Nanking and Nanking The- [563 ]
SUlIj'UAN JEHOL I.
o /…-'~-1''0 • /C:3 Q-a———-t—–4~~~~ .l KA. U ~ Yenano / l'I'i:,ngChen ,, . -·f….~ …… ,,—-…..- ……'-…—~' o ;- , /~UngShU~ •0 NanchaJlIC _~_V..:"~s'.ht.a,a::n:tiu,;t,e;,S;-I;tI;e-s'IT:~;o—-, GS I " ; ~ FengSl'o O 0 • …………". Shenchcw Tungpjn~ Sinchang K I A :J I0 TureSianR I . 50 100 I'
PRINCIPAL AREAS COVERED IN THE JAPANESE INVASION OF CHINESE TERRITORY On November 11, the Japanese had moved their armies in the north as far west as Talyuan, Shans! Province. Their line extended south of Pelplng, nearly to Tientsin. From Shanghai they had moved south on the road to Hangchow, and were marching west to attack Nanking. The cities named show the principal Protestant mission stations; the location of other stations is marked by circles. Rail- I'oads completed and under construction are also indicated.
ological Seminary have re-opened in Nanking also an increasing exodus of students from the with about a third of their normal enrollments. coastal provinces westward. So far the Chiriese Ginling College is carrying on some of its work Government has encouraged schools to continue in connection with Hwachung College in Wuchang and students to pursue their studies wherever and St. John's University at Shanghai. Govern- possible, believing that China must keep on buildment educational institutions are more and more ing for the future. As a consequence, Hwachung College, Yale-in-China at Changsha and West moving to central and west China and there is
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
China Union University have enrollments far .is moving part of its work including the Medical above the average. School to west China. The Northern Presbyterians and Southern Baptists have extensive work in The National Christian Council sends encour- Shantung. Some missionaries of these and other aging news from churches all over China, even missions are staying in the interior, others are at those in fighting areas. Christian relief commit- the port of Tsingtau keeping in close touch with tees are being organized in many cities. Mission- their Chinese co-workers and making occasional ary work in central and west China is going on visits inland. The Southern Presbyterian Mismore normally and Szechwan and Yunnan seem sion which works in north Kiangsu still has misto be the safest provinces so far. Air raids have sionaries at Haichow, at Suchow the important extended as far inland as Hankow, Wuchang and railway junction and at Tsingkiangpu. Mission- Changsha. After an air raid on Wuchang which aries are remaining in considerable numbers in reduced a poor section of the city to shambles and Honan Province and the United Church of Canwhich came near destroying the Methodist Mis- ada has recently decided to send some missionsion Hospital, a Hankow newspaper reported, aries back who have completed their furloughs. "Scores of operations and amputations were performed by candle light at the Methodist Hospital Cities in northern Shansi where missionaries owing to the electric light system failing. There reside have been bombed and as this article goes is a lamentable shortage of doctors and ambu- to press news comes of the Japanese seige of lance workers." Taiyuan, the capital. The American Board and Church of the Brethren missions have important Air raids have continued on the coastal cities work in Shansi. Taiku and Fenchow, south of of Fukien and Kwangtung with especially de- Taiyuan, are centers of American Board educavastating effect in Canton, but no serious damage tional, medical and evangelistic effort, including to mission property has been reported. One mis- the Oberlin-in-Shansi schools. Christian work sion hospital in Kwangtung has been struck. Fu- here is much disturbed but a group of missionkien Christian University and Hwanan College aries have refused to leave and are doing what in F'oochow and Lingnan University, Canton, are they can to help alongside their Chinese colopen with limited enrollments but with morale leagues. high. From Great Britain come reports that British Yenching University in Peiping and other missions are holding their own. The China Inland Christian schools in the Japan-controlled area Mission is not returning missionaries or sending have opened and the number of students is steadily new missionaries for the present. Detailed news increasing. Few of these students, however are from inland stations comes through slowly. from central and south China and all educational work is conducted with peculiar difficulties. Busi- On September 21st the National Christian ness has been hard hit in the invaded territory, Council of China adopted the following resolution unemployment is increasing and Christian insti- which was later broadcast from Shanghai, "Along tutions and churches which depend upon con- with the material relief we must give is the spirtributions and fees will all suffer. Letters coming itual uplift of the nation. The soul of China is through, however, tell of great faith and courage at stake. An effort should be made to keep up on the part of Christian groups. Paoting, the the morale of the Chinese Christians, so that their capital of Hopei, an important center of mission Christian faith, hope and love may not be dework of the American Board (Congregational) stroyed by the terror of war. What China needs and Northern Presbyterian Mission, suffered from at present is a reinforcement of spiritual power, a heavy siege and looting as the Japanese line and that power Christianity alone can give. Since moved southward. A small group of missionaries this war is going to put a strain upon the restayed on and ministered to the suffering. Teh- sources of the human soul as well as on material chow, another American Board mission center in resources it would seem important that we should northern Shantung, has been captured by J ap- bring together all Christian forces available for anese troops and Changteh, a mission center of the task of deepening our spiritual resources, the United Church of Canada in northern Honan. leading people to look up and find God a very The Japanese advance will probably be halted present help in time of trouble, assisting the for the time being at the strong defenses along churches and schools in clear thinking about the the Yellow River. The fighting is coming close issues raised by this conflict, and giving them to Tsinan, the capital of Shantung. There are comfort, healing and strength." fears that attacks on ,the Shantung coast may force the Chinese armies to abandon Shantung Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who was in Shanghai province but at the present writing the defense when hostilities broke out there, and went to Mais strong. Cheeloo University at Tsinan, in which nila instead of starting upon his projected six thirteen American and British missions cooperate, months' evangelistic tour of China, has now gone from the Philippines to central and west China
for a month of evangelistic meetings, at the re- refused to allow the facts as to their students to quest of Chinese Christian leaders. be made public.
Chinese leaders, both Christian and non-Chris- In one prominent university, where there is a beautiful $2,000,000 chapel and a college pastor, tian, have expressed in many ways their appre- two-thirds of the students said they had not at- tended chapel once that year. ciation of the service missionaries are rendering The religious influences surrounding students in the present tragic situation, and have urged are of special importance since the United States Government acknowledges God as the supreme that missionary work be continued at all costs. ruler and the students of one generation largely mold the life and character of coming generations. Most of the mission boards are raising special How can our students be reached with sound funds for emergency needs in their own fields religious teaching and won to Christ? The great- est need is for truly Christian instructors, but and are also supporting the general campaigns .there is also a loud call for greater spiritual vital- ity in the college churches, in chapel services, and for relief work in China sponsored by the Fed- in the Christian Associations. There is need for better cooperation between the colleges and home eral Council of Churches, American Red Cross, churches from which students come. Parents and even pastors often seem to be impassive or in- China Famine Relief, and other agencies. different as to whether or not their young people give any attention to spiritual things while in col- Since the war may continue for a long time, possibly several years, mission boards are begin- ning to adjust their policies to the special condi- tions. Whatever changes may be necessary in methods of work there seems to be no plan of withdrawal. Missionaries on the field and mission societies here are determined to carryon in war as well as in peace. FRANK W. PRICE.
lege. Much more interest is shown in their intel- EVANGELIZING COLLEGE STUDENTS . lectual standing, their athletic games and their One of the most serious problems of the present social events such as college dances. How many parents would spend a week-end to attend college day in America and other lands is that of winning chapel?
the youth to an intelligent and whole-hearted alle- In view of this situation it is of especial inter- est and importance to note that the National giance to Christ and enlisting them unreservedly Preaching Mission, which last year toured the in His service for mankind. It is estimated that country without making much impression on the colleges and universities, is this year undertaking there are at least sixty million youth in America a University Christian Mission especially among under twenty-five years of age. Of these not more students. Dr. John A. Mackay, the new and vigthan one half are under any definite religious in- orous president of Princeton Theological Semstruction. The, Sunday schools enroll about inary, is chairman. The following statement retwenty million but much of the Christian training veals the purpose and plan of this Preaching received there is haphazard and very inadequate. Mission. $ome of the. finest youth of the lane. go to our colleges and other'higher educational institutions to Due to the dominance of a naturalistic philosophy in so prepare}ol;' life and work. When they leave home many university centers, unprecedented religious illiteracy most' of' them are interested in knowing God and among students, combined with increasing manifestations they are apt to have an ambition to use their lives of spiritual hunger, the responsibility of the Church is to good purpose; many lose both this interest and ambition in college. A report issued by the "Coun- overwhelming. . . . cil of Church Boards of Education," giving the Aimless liberty is palling upon many who'seek an abidresults of a recent comprehensive survey of college youth in 1,171 American institutions of ing loyalty for their devotion. They are looking for a higher learning, shows that 88 per cent of these Master in whom they may believe utterly, and for a cause to which they; may commit themselves with sacrificial abandon; th~y ~~ek light on the perplexing framework in students acknowledge some religious preferences, which their lives are set; in growing numbers they debut only about sixty per cent of them regularly mand to know what Christianity is and what it has to attended any religious services while in college. offer. Many are indifferent and some state that they are Such a situation is a clear caIl to united Christian action. The University Preaching Mission will undertake opposed to God and religion. three major tasks: It will deal with false conceptions about Christia_nity which .are current in university circles. These facts show a serious situation and a great It must also make plain' that Christian faith is fulfilled need and opportunity, especially since these youth only in Christian life !l,ntl.action, and that it is relevant ought to be future leaders in political, educational, to all issues in society which involve the welfare of human economic and religious life. Twenty-four out of beings. The mission will p.im to bring forcibly to the at- 1,458 institutions in nine states reported that it tention of student.s the implications of the Christian meswas illegal in those states to inquire into the reli- sage for all spheres and phases of life, and to set forth gious preferences of students. Other institutions the vision of a world Christian community as the Role hope of saving a sinful world.
A Kurdish Christian
The Story of Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani as Told to ,. Christ,r Wilson, Tabriz, Iran W E PULLED our chairs up beside the fire of pure water near us. None of us came down in his Teheran home. I had long awaited with the cholera. the chance for this interview with Dr. "As a boy I was always busy with books. I Sa'eed Kurdistani, perhaps the most noted con- read the Persian poets and was so well versed in vert from Islam in all Iran. The story of his life Arabic and Persian that, when my father died, (here told as nearly as possible in his own words) when I was thirteen years of age, the Imam is a human interest document of importance. The Jumeh placed the white turban on my head and sidelights also show the thoughts and the heart of made me a teacher in the same school where my a true Moslem and how such an one may be led father had taught in the mosque.
to Christ. The beloved doctor began: "My father was a very pious Mohammedan. I "I Was born in the year 1863 in Senna, a city of can never forget his supplications to God at mid- Kurdistan. My father was Mullah Rasul; he was night. He said that he had the promise that, at from the village of Buzan, near Sulemanieh. My the resurrection, he would be raised to the plat- mother's name was Mahenisa, meaning 'Moon of form of Joseph, because as a youth he had fled Women.' For seven generations our people had from the same sin as Joseph, under similar cir- been Mullahs (or Moslem teachers) of the Sunni cumstances.
sect. "Father used to tell us stories of the mystic "My father conducted a school for children saints when we were children. During the famine which I attended. I was known as a very preco- he found a sum of money, but sought out the owner cious child, and at six or seven years of age I was and returned it though we were ourselves in des- reading the Koran. The people thought that the perate need. Years later the great difficulty· of· Angel Gabriel had taught me in a dream. By the my brother Kaka in accepting Christianity wa:~', age of nine I was reading the poems of Sa'di and what would become of father, for he thought· he astonished everyone. must be among the saved. Finally I helped him "When I was about ten, it occurred to me that to solve the difficulty by saying that if we live up it was not right for the Kurds to pray in Arabic; to the light we have, our future is in the hands of and not understand what they were saying so 1 a just God. I had very early acquired from my endeavored to put the regular prayers into Persian father a deep sense of the reality of God.
poetry. When eleven years old I began to study Oontacts With Ohristianity Arabic with men who were more learned than my father. At twelve or thirteen I became a follower "There were seventy or eighty Roman Catholic of the 'Naqshbandi' sect of dervishes and went to Assyrian families in Senna and the bishop used to their meetings. Their leader was named Sheikh come from Mosul to visit them. I got a part of Mohammed. the Old Testament in Persian from an Assyrian "I was very regular in my prayers and attend- Catholic, named Fatah Petros, a deacon who had ance at the mosque. I intoned the call to prayer sympathy with the Protestants. He knew the and also the prelude to the prayers of the leader whole of the Psalms in the ancient Syriac. At one in the mosque. I pursued other studies, the laws time the bishop found some Protestant books in of Islam and religion in Arabic. I still have a copy his library and burned them. I read a good deal of the 'Feq' which I wrote and read as a boy. of the Old Testament but did not get much help "When I was about ten years old a great famine out of it. I did not admire the worship of the came over the country. Thieves broke :into our Catholic church, and put them on the same plane house and stole almost everything we had. My with idol worshippers. I prayed daily for my an- father with my brother Kaka and me started on cestors who had suffered but had accepted Islam, foot on a seven days' journey to the region of and thanked God for the great benefit I had re- Meriwan, west of Senna. There was food there ceived from them. I was devoutly thankful for and we stayed with relatives. My mother re- Islam and considered it the very truth as com- mained in Senna. We returned after a few months pared to Christianity. But I was ever a searcher.
to our home to find cholera raging there. My Finally I obtained a New Testament in Persian mother died a short time later. Our house was at from a man who had been in Teheran. I read it the outskirts of the town and there was a spring and asked the Catholic priests why they had taken [ 567] ..,;
out of it the references to Mohammed. I was in fact quite the opposite of what I saw in our own shown the last verses of Revelation, but I told Moslem religious leaders. My conscience awoke them they had put that in to make people think it and I felt very miserable. I was about sixteen had not been changed. At one time two Assyrian years old at this time. Once I asked Kasha his colporteurs came to Senna, but I did not talk to idea of Mohammed but he did not wish to tell me. them or get books from them. I also taught a boy I assured him no harm would come and finally he whose father was Assyrian, and his mother Ar- gave me some hints. Often as I taught the Koran menian. The more I saw of Christians, however, I saw that the things he had hinted as to faults in the more I was confirmed in my Islamic views. the life of Mohammed were confirmed. I got more miserable and became uneasy about the character "Then Kasha Yohanna of Sulduz came to Senna of Mohammed. One evening, as I was going to with two colporteurs, Shemisha Seyad and his son. the mosque to call the faithful to prayer, the idea Kasha Yohanna asked for a Persian instructor came to me: 'What if Mohammed is not true?' I and I went to teach him. But I did not wish to banged myself on the head with my fist, and said, give the salaam (Greeting of Peace) to an infidel. 'You should be cursed for such a thought concern- Shemisha Seyad told me that they also were 'peo- ing the holy prophet.' I went to the mosque for ple of the book' and that therefore it was lawful the ablutions and prayers but came home very for a Moslem to give them the greeting of peace. miserable. I had no answer, and so, as a hypocrite, I used to greet the Christian colporteurs half under my Mohammed or Christ? breath with the words: 'Sahum ile kum.' This sounded like the greeting of peace but means 'May "In my despair I burned the calves of both legs, a sword come upon you.' so that the scars will be there to my dying day. According'to this Kurdish custom I took an irre- "Kasha Yohanna, whom I taught early in the vocable vow, first, never to go to Kasha Yohanna morning before his school, had the Psalms in again or argue religious matters with any Chris- Syriac and a copy in Persian was given to me. tian; second, to live a holy life. I was ashamed, Shemisha Seyad led in prayer, and I heard a real for I knew that the life of Kasha Yohanna was Christian prayer for the first time. I was aston- better than my own. I gave up going to him but ished to hear him pray for his enemies. There I felt very miserable. Whenever I saw him on the was no swinging censor-just a spiritual prayer. streets he was like Jonah to me, and in my heart Shemisha Seyad and his son went on to Kerman- I knew that I was wrong. His life, so in accord shah and I continued teaching Persian to Kasha with what he believed and taught, had affected me Yohanna. I wanted to learn other languages, so so that I could not sleep. At last I went back to he taught me Syriac. We used the New Testament him and renewed my inquiries about passages in as a textbook. the Bible.
"Kasha Yohanna was a very bright man. The "One night I was very miserable during prayers Jews used to come to argue with him. He asked in the mosque. Realizing my sin I went home and me to take the Persian Bible and look up refer- fell on my face in the dust of the hallway. I ences as the Jews looked them up in Hebrew and prayed God to guide me to the Truth, as he was Kasha in the Syriac.1 I was deeply impressed by the Saviour of the lost. Then I went back to the wonderful evidences of fulfilled prophecy con- Kasha and studied both the Bible and the Koran. cerning Christ. When I showed the New Testa- I took some of my difficulties to the Imam Jumeh ment in Syriac to my brother, he was displeased and others, but was not satisfied with their exand told me not to study it. But I continued to do planation of the Koranic passages. After four so in secret. Marking in a Persian Bible the months of such study, the Light broke in upon my prophecies we had read, I showed them to my soul. I can never thank Him enough. brother, saying: "These must be about Mohammed for no one else could be worthy of such ref- "How happy the old man was when I confessed erences. Let me study this branch of knowledge my faith in Jesus as the Saviour. My not going and we shall soon be able to turn all the Catholics to the mosque or getting up early for prayers made and Jews into Mohammedans. I interpreted the my brother Kaka uneasy. Several people came to prophecies according to my own ideas and clus- our home and argued with me but I took the Christered them around Mohammed until I came to the tian side and defeated them. Though I did not words in Isaiah, 'A bruised reed shall he not break, say I was a -Christian, Kaka took up his rifle and and the smoking flax shall he not quench.' I could wanted to kill me. For some time things went on not apply these words to Mohammed. in this way, growing more difficult all the time. People were talking about how to kill me. "Then the life of Kasha Yohanna began to affect me very much. He was truthful, honest-and "At last I felt I must let Kaka know of my new faith and I wrote a letter to give my brother. I 1 Missionaries to Moslems may well note the methods of Kasha feared it would mean certain death and went out Yohanna,–a great evangelist and preacher.
A KURDISH CHRISTIAN PROPHET
in the yard and prayed to God. Then I went back Bible so he took the saddlebags that contained my and gave Kaka the letter. He read it and began books. I went after him and wept. He told me I to tremble. Another man who was there burned must go to the great Sheikh and renounce Christhe letter on a castor oil lamp in the room. I con- tianity; otherwise he would be killed and our fessed my faith again and begged Kaka not to bouse destroyed. Kaka began to torture and beat argue while he was so angry. I would gradually me like a dog. Though I repeatedly kissed his feet explain to him. If he killed me I was a martyr. he would not give back my Bible. How delightful If he let me live I might help him. We went to are Gods comforts! Persecution is the better life, bed under the kurlsi and when my foot touched his, much more wholesome! he roused and said, 'Get away, dog. A dog of a man cannot live in a house.' It was midnight and "My brother saw that I was determined. Both we could hear the wolves howling about, but I had he and my friend wept, but they left the saddleto leave at once. Some of the Roman Catholics knew I had become a Christian, and I went to one DR. SA'EED KHAN KURDISTANI of their houses, but they feared to let me in. At As He Appeared When Winning His Way to Recognition as a last a Catholic woman, named Sherin, took me in. In the morning I went to my school in great fear, Prominent Christian Physician in Teheran especially of Kaka. He thought I would attend He Was Recently Put Into Prison by the Iranian Government prayers in the Catholic church, so he took his gun and sat in a shop across from the church intending for His Christian Faith and Courage to shoot me as I entered. Life in the town was miserable. bags and went away. It was indeed a painful sep- aration. I went to bed and wept bitterly, thinking "About April, in the year 1882, Mr. Hawkes, of that perhaps I would better go back to the village the American Mission, came to Senna with Agha of our relative. I even thought of returning to the Hyeem, the Jewish convert, and a colporteur Sheikh to renounce my faith to bring peace to all named Johannes. One day when I was in his of us. Then like a flash of lightning Jesus' words room, about fifty men ran into the yard to kill me. came to me, 'he who does not renounce . . . even The Lord had so ordered that the son-in-law of the his own life is not worthy of me.' Then I lay down Imam Jumeh was there and he took me home and went to sleep. How I thank Him for the revwithout allowing the people to touch me. elation of His presence.
"About this time Fatah, who had first given me "Kaka went home and said he could not reach the Old Testament, came back from Russia. An me. The people of the quarter collected and a Assyrian preacher in Ardabil had lent him 'Mizan ul Haqq,' 'Tariq ul Hayat,' and 'Meftah ul Asrar,' 2 books that were a wonderful help to me.
"Mr. Hawkes went back to Hamadan, and he wrote me inviting me to come. He would teach me English and I could teach him Persian and Arabic. But how was I to get permission from my brother to go? I showed the letter and told him it was sure death for me to stay in Kurdistan. He knew this was true and at last he accompanied me to a river and carried me through on his back. He deposited me with the muleteers and we started on our troubled journey.
"Later I found that a relative of ours, who owned villages along the way, had told Kaka he would bind me and bring me back, but like Saul he had gone away to hunt his asses. Next day the people wanted to kill Kaka for having sold his brother to the foreigners. So my brother and a bosom friend of mine came on a day's journey after me and found me reading Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Persian to the muleteers. They told me at once that unless I should go back Kaka would be killed and our house would be ruined. I said I would not go. Kaka knew how I loved my • The three great books by Dr. Pfander. Though written a century ago they are still classics in their field.
brave rider was chosen to go after me. He had his I became very homesick and wanted to return. horse saddled and ready to start but at that mo- But I thought, if God would settle my difficulties ment his master sent for him. When the latter and satisfy my longing soul I would go on. The learned what he was about to do he sent him off in answer came that He would. an opposite direction on business connected with "I had a medical certificate from Teheran and his property. had practiced in Hamadan, but I wished to become "I came to Hamadan and there I learned Eng- a really good physician. I was attracted to Sweden by some good people but I could not agree with the lish. In September of 1882, Miss Montgomery views of my friends there in some matters of docand Dr. Alexander and his wife came to Hamadan. trine. So I went to London, still feeling that I With my bit of English I interpreted for Dr. Alex- was in darkness. I read how Agrippa thought ander and so fell into the practice of medicine. I Jesus was dead, but Paul argued that He was also continued to teach in the school and with Mr. alive. I thought: that is enough for me; Christ is Hawkes. People from Senna came and tried to alive. get me out by a trick to kill me. I had many conversations with Bahais and others. I still had dif- "None of the great men in London solved my ficulties with many passages of Scripture but I got difficulties. Then I came among some poor workgreat help from Mr. Hawkes and from the home ers who studied their Bibles, and in their company life of Dr. and Mrs. Alexander. Miss Montgomery every difficulty was solved. God gave me underread and explained the New Testament, Mr. standing of mysteries, prophecies and all. Ah, my Hawkes gave me very helpful spiritual books to soul rejoices in Him. Thank God for all His read, but still I had a thousand and one difficulties mercy. and could not find real satisfaction. I was like a child who loves his parents but is not able to ex- "I studied for two years at Cook's School of plain it. I loved the Lord Jesus passionately. Anatomy and Physiology. I attended post-grad- Often I wished that Mohammed's words were true, uate lectures and demonstrations. In 1895, after that such a beautiful person as my Lord and my studies there, I returned from London to Ha- Saviour was not tortured on the cross. One day madan and took up medical practice. We have had I came across a hymn by Frances Xavier, three children: Sarah, who is now the wife of a Christian physician in Hamadan; Samuel, who 'My God, I love thee not because– married an American girl and mixed the royal I love thee because thou took my place.' blood of the Kurds wi.th that of the Americans; and Lemuel, who died in London. His name means From that moment I knew that He took my sin, 'portion of God' and that he was.S and became sin for me that I should be the righteousness of God in Him. "In Hamadan at one time I took the Dr. St. Claire Tisdall's book, Yanab ul Islam,4 to a Mujta- "After a year Kaka paid me a visit. Later he hid. Many people thought that I had written it, as they thought that no other Christian in Persia came to stay. It is n<it true, as has often been knew enough languages, nor enough of Islam to said, that Kaka came to Hamadan to kill me. We write it. When persecution broke out against me had many long discussic»rs. After several years the Governor Ein id Dowleh took me to his own house and helped me to leave town. I fled to he was converted when t was able to allay his Teheran after the Mujtahid had issued the death sentence against me. Later, after I had become a doubts about my father. He was not sanctified well-known physician in Teheran, I returned to until troubles came and he broke his knee; like Hamadan and this same Mujtahid called on me. Jacob he finally became lame but a true Believer. He said, 'You have made a lot of money in Te- heran. You ought to give me half, because I was "In 1888 I was married to a Nestorian girl, Re- the cause of your going to Teheran.' becca, the daughter of Kasha Shimun of Geogtapa. The whole town made a demonstration during the "The second time I located in Teheran, Ein id month of Moharram and notices were posted on Dowleh was Governor of Khuzistan, where I had the mosques and in the bazaars. The governor been his private physician. I was in Teheran quieted the town by a trick, without my knowl- when Ein id Dowleh became prime minister. He edge. He told the people I had deceived a Chris- wrote a letter to many of his friends saying that tian girl and wanted to make her a Moslem. Per- I had come to Teheran and he wished people would secution finally drove me with my wife to Teheran. give me a trial. When the prime minister says Even there the mullahs of Senna wrote a letter to the Turkish Ambassador to have me put out of the 3 I made two other trips to England for the purpose of further way, saying that I was a blight on Islam. study. On the first of these I took my son Samuel with me. On the second I met Sir Wi1l1am Osler, and some of my letters to him are "In Teheran Dr. Potter, with his beautiful published in his blographY.-Ba'eed. Christ-like life, was a great help to me, as were also the ladies of the mission station. While there • "The Roots of Islam." by Dr. St. Claire Tisdall. I determined to go to Europe to study, leaving my wife and two children in Hamadan. On the way
A SERMON BY A CONVERTED MOSLEM
anything the people are ready to do it in a hurry. matter. When I prayed, I received my answer Sol stepped immediately into a practice with the and wrote that I would come if they would promaristocracy and best families. ise me security from attack. I went and was used to cure the great man of blindness. The mullahs "I was able to speak for Christ to the prime of Senna sent eighteen men to kill me, but they minister and to the leading men of the country. did not succeed. My escort heard of their plans Dr. S. M. Jordan asked me to preach in the church and wanted me to change my cap to disguise my but I asked if he did not think it too soon. He identity. The man who had charge of the attempt said, 'All know you are a Christian.' So I prayed was later brought by the government to Teheran, over it and I think I was the first convert from and showed that he has been very much ashamed. Islam to preach in that church. The greatest He often calls on me and I give him Christian thing I can say is that the Lord Jesus Christ loved books and tracts. a great sinner. He saved a brand from the burning, and He loved me to the end in spite of all my "The missionaries sent an evangelist to Senna, sins and failures. who was no doubt sent to Assyrian Catholics and Jews, but I, a poor Kurd, was most blessed. "In 1912 I made a return journey to Kurdistan. Praise be to God. How wonderful are His ways. While I was in Hamadan a note came asking me I have told you the good things of my life. If I to visit a wealthy man in the mountains. I im- should tell you everything you would not want to mediately wrote saying that I could not do it. But write it down or look at me. But Jesus forgives as I was waving the letter to dry over the fire I me all. How good is the God whom we adore." said to myself that I had not first prayed about the A Sermon by a Converted Moslem Based on the Story of Naaman in 2 Kings, Chapter 5 -. I~I By SA'EED KURDISTANI, M.D., Isfahan, Iran I J;t– J~==============================~I A MAN may have high place in the public eye Leprosy has no cure, but he who suffers from and perhaps may gain a national reputa- it sees it gradually attack all his members until tion; he may through his business exceed his whole body is unclean, full of sores and decayhis highest hopes in accumUlating wealth and ing. His face becomes hideous, his fingers drop property; he may acquire great honor in his own off, his voice is hoarse and weak, and his members country, reaching the highest military rank and lose all sense of feeling. He becomes repugnant, possessing medals and titles from the great na- even to his own brother and sister. And this is a tions of the world. In other words, a man may true picture of the ruined condition of the man reach the exalted position of Naaman, who was of whom sin holds in its power. The unfortunate the first rank and commander-in-chief in the sinner, like the leper, sees that all his efforts and great country of Syria. Yet of what avail was all all his searoh for a cure to his disease of sin are this to Naaman? For he was a leper. In the without avail, and that its horrible results are same way it makes no difference what the rank daily on the increase. and reputation of a man is in the world, if he is a sinner. Ah, this one thing ruins everything for My friends, how awful and accursed a thing sin him; it changes all the joy of the world to sadness, is! Perhaps you have often longed that you might and turns the sweet cup of pleasures into bitter- grow better, but you perceived that you really ness and deadly poison. How unfortunate is he grew worse. In all Syria and in the capital of its who at the time of death owns nothing but money great king there was not found one physician who and fame, when he must undergo the just judg- could cure Naaman's disease. In all the earth ment of God and realizes that he is a sinner and there is no remedy for sin; in no tribe or nation has no certainty! Of what benefit were all Naa- will you find any man who has a cure for it. The man's medals and possessions to him? What joy whole world is a huge leper house with all its indoes he have as he gazes at the signs of his leprosy habitants infected. Both kings and beggars are and watches the exudations from his open sores? sinners.
It is remarkable how God has chosen the weak-
est things of the world for His work. We see that from sin. The command to wash in the Jordan it is a little maid, a captive and servant in the made the leper angry. Man is always displeased house of this great man, who is the means of at the remedy God has chosen for sin and wants bringing a message of .joy to the great general of instead the cure he himself thinks is good. He Syria. She said: "Would that my master could prefers his own worthless prescription to the dego to the prophet in Samaria to be cured of his pendable and efficacious prescription of God. "Are lep.rosy." In the same way I say to you: "WoVld not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, betthat you came to the blessed Jesus that He might ter than all the rivers of Israel?" In the same cleanse you of your sin." way, the unfortunate moral leper says: "Are not the teachings of my own religion better? It says I beseech you, when you hear this name, not to to me: Keep the fasts and all the regulations. be so unpolite as to stop listening to me, but think Complete the ceremonial washings. Pray all a little, and realize that I also, like you, was af- night. Go as a pilgrim to far places. Is it not flicted with the leprosy of sin, yet, through faith better to wash in these great rivers of my own in the expiation and the shed blood of Jesus, and religion than to have faith in this word of God through His resurrection from the dead, I have about the death of Christ?" Very weH, my found eternal salvation, and thousands of others friend, wash, wash, wash in your own rivers, but who were like me have also come to Him in con- among all the millions of men who have done this, fidence and have found a perfect cure. You know show me one person who has become clean from that you are a sinner and that up to now neither sin. With all earnestness I say to you that there you nor a single one of your acquaintances can is not one who certainly knows that he is among make bold to say that you have found salvation those who are saved. and are safe from the just punishment of God. How then is it that I and thousands like me have Naaman's servants said to him: "If the prophet such certainty that we are safe from this punish- had ordered you to do some great thing, would you ment and will forever live joyfully in the holy not have done it? How much rather then when presence of God? Is our confidence without a he said to you: Wash and be olean?" From all foundation? Is our joy purely imaginary? Give the peoples of the world there is evidence of the careful attention and think whether a person has lengths to which men will go in their search for ever found lasting happiness through imagination salvation-long pilgrimages on foot; costly offeralone. And this thought is also worthy of your ings., even of their own children; self-immolation attention, that perhaps you, too, through divine beneath the chariots of the idols. To what exfavor, can find deliverance from the terrible dis- tremes will they not go in the hope that their sin ease of sin and attain salvation. will be forgiven? But God will admit of only one way of cleansing. Naaman finally came to the prophet Elisha, but Finally, Naaman went down into the Jordan notice that he came in the way that man comes, and washed, and his flesh became clean like that standing at the gate with his horses and chariots of a little child. So with those who are washed by Christ. How clean and spotless are these new and bearing gifts. Man likewise thinks that by creatures! Oh, that you would, with the eye of faith, perceive that you may go under the waves his good works and his charities he will be re- of death with Christ and rise with Him from the dead, freed of all the spots and wounds of your ceived by God. He presents to the King with his leprosy. Then will you be able to exhibit to God dirty hands a flower from the King's own garden, and the world the countenance of a new man and show forth heavenly qualities through your words and expects a reward! But Elisha wanted none and deeds. That this is God's remedy for sin and of Naaman's gifts. and praises. One cannot sell your chance of a cure is plain from His own Word, the salvation of God. Elisha sent him a message: where we read: "For if we have become united "Go, wash in the Jordan." He would not go as with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be far as the gate to meet the general, but oontented also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing himself with a message. Salvation today also this, that our old man was crucified with him, that must be by faith, not by seeing with the eye, for the body o(sin might' be done away. But if we Jesus Christ, the healer of sin, has sent the mes- died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live sage of peace through His Word. Whoever hears with him; knowing that Christ being raised from it in faith receives salvation. the dead dieth no more. Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God The river Jordan is a symbol of death, and for in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6: 5.). the leper Naaman there was no other remedy but that he dip seven times in the river of death. I can say to you that in all the world there is no other way by which a sinner may find healing but by the death of Christ. His blood alone can cleanse
First Five Centuries of Christianity*
A Review by SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D.
–tEl Professor Emeritus of History of Religion and Christian Missions at Princeton Theological Seminary THIS is undoubtedly one of the great books of The fact that this first volume supplies the an- the year, and if the author completes his am- swers to these searching questions makes it a text- bitious plan, it may well prove the standard book and source-book on the science of early work on missionary history of the twentieth cen- Christian missions, as well as a history of the tury. As now planned, the work is to be incor- enterprise.
porated in six volumes of approximately 150,000 Dr. Arthur J. Brown's masterly volume on a to 200,000 words each. Volume I covers the period Century of Presbyterian Missions is in compari- to the Conversion of the Roman Empire, about the son with the scope of this one volume as a beauti- year 500 A. D. The second volume will cover the fully engraved cameo showing all the particular thousand years between 500 A. D. and 1500; the detail of one Society's work in one century. Here third, from 1500 A. D. to 1800. The last three is a massive canvas not only portraying a pano- volumes are to be devoted to the 19th and 20th rama of apostolic zeal in many lands and many centuries. Volume IV will deal with the general centuries but transfused and transfigured by the movements in Europe and America conditioning miracle of all history-the Incarnation-which at the expansion of Christianity during the last cen- the outset throws its bewildering light on the tury and a half. Volume V will cover the spread whole scene. Miracles in the technical sense, and of Christianity in Latin America, Africa, Asia, according to prevailing Protestant the 0 log y, and the islands of the Pacific. Volume VI will ceased with the Apostolic age.t But in that age conclude with a retrospect of the entire work, and in the message that came from the lips of the summarizing the conclusions. Apostles, miracles had a supreme place; for as Except for its anachronistic jacket (supplied by Archbishop Temple remarks in his latest volume, the publishers), this scholarly production is in Basic Convictions: "The only Jesus for whom every way attractive and worthy of its great there is any historical evidence at all is a super- theme. On the jacket, however, we have a John natural and miraculous figure."
the Baptist figure preaching to a group of men in The literary sources available for the history of Moslem turbans, palm trees and a minaret in the primitive Christianity may be fragmentary, as background, and the whole in a frame surrounded Harnack states in his great work, The Missi,on by heterogeneous crosses! The breadth and scope and Expansion of Christianity. But he goes on of the first volume is large enough to startle the to remark: "How extensive they are compared thoughtful reader at the very outset, for Dr. La- to the extant sources at our disposal for investitourette is dealing with the philosophy of history gating the history of any other religion within the as well as with history itself. He proposes to an- Roman Empire!" swer seven questions in this and the succeeding volumes: In our opinion an anti-supernaturalistic ap- proach to these primary documents in the New (1) What was the Christianity which spread? Testament mars the treatment of the sources both (2) Why did Christianity spread as it did? in the case of Harna«k and also to some extent in (3) Why has Christianity suffered reverses and at times the volume before us. Professor Latourette ex- presses his own evangelical faith in the super- met only partial success? natural character of Jesus Christ and what he (4) By what processes did Christianity spread? (5) What effect has Christianity had upon its environ- ment? wrought and taught, at the close of chapter four, (6) What effect has its environment had on Christianity? in words that seem to conflict with his earlier (7) What bearing do the processes by which Christianity statement in the Introduction and in Chapter One where he "has endeavored to conform to that kind spread have upon the effect of Christianity upon its environment and of the environment upon Chris- tianity? of objectivity extolled by the school of history in • A History of the Expansion of Christianity (Vol. 1): The First which he has been trained." That school appar- Fioo Centuries. By Kenneth Scott Latourette. Harper & Bros., New York. 1937. 412 pp. ,$3.50. t Oounterfeit Miracles-Benjamin B. Warfield.
[573 ]
ently accepted the Evolutionary hypothesis that who had been the intimates of Jesus. Whatever "religion is a comparatively late phenomenon in the cause, that the stream flowed on is clear. It the life of mankind"; that a creature which may . is the uniqueness of Jesus which seems the one be termed human emerged about 1,200,000 years tenable explanation of the fact that Christianity ago (page 2); that "the Israelites thought of is the only one of the many Jewish sects to break Jahweh, their God, as a tribal divinity" (page 33) ; off from the parent stem and outstrip it in size that belief in personal immortality developed and influence. . . . In Jesus, therefore, and in slowly and late in Israel (p. 36); and that "frag- his death and the conviction of his resurrection ments of discourses, pithy sayings, parables, and and of moral and spiritual rebirth and immor- incidents, some of them put together without re- tality through him, is to be found the chief reason gard for the correct sequence, make up large por- for the triumph of Christianity. Without Jesus tions of the first three Gospels and the fourth is Christianity would not have sprung into existence, chiefly an interpretation" (page 46). And we and from him and beliefs about him came its main see our David in Saul's armor again when he dynamic."
writes: "The question is often raised as to what It is cause for regret that in the treatment of was new in the teachings of Jesus. For prac- Apostolic Christianity the historian failed to emtically all, if not all, of the specific precepts and phasize the axiom laid down by Mandell Creighton beliefs attributed to him it is possible to find in his introduction to the Cambridge Modern Hisprecedent in the pre-Christian literature of his tory (Vol. I, p. 5): "In the vast and diversified people. What Jesus did was to penetrate into the area of modern history the point of view deterheart of the moral and religious concepts which mines the whole nature of the record or else the he had inherited from the past and to pick out whole work sinks to the level of a mass of details what seemed to him essential. He performed this uninformed by any luminous idea. The writer not in any systematic fashion. He wrote no book who strives to avoid any tendency becomes dull, in which he attempted to give permanence to his ideas. . . . The novelty of Jesus must be sought, and the cult of impartiality paralyses the judgnot so much in fresh principles, but in his phraseology, in what he emphasized, and espec~ally in ment." what he was as revealed in his words and deeds.~' In the extensive and valuable annotated bibliog- raphies for each chapter we miss, for the earlier chapters, well-known conservative evangelical Naturalistic Explanations scholars both on the history of religion and on the It is refreshing to find the author himself Apostolic age while the extreme liberal school of wholly dissatisfied with such naturalistic explana- thought is conspicuous. One receives the imprestions when he sums up the reasons 'for the tri- sion of a certain lukewarmness that is incon- gruous in the portrayal of Christ our Lord and umphs of the Gospel at the close of chapter four: Paul his great missionary Apostle. There is no "The more one examines into the various factors substitute for the missionary passion even in mis- which seem to account for the extraordinary vic- sion history.
tory of Christianity, the more one is driven to No reader will find the style of this work dull search for a cause which underlies them. It is or the treatment uninteresting. The only other clear that at the very beginning of Christianity history of missions comparable to it is that of there must have occurred a vast release of energy, Harnack which covers only the early centuries and unequalled in the history of the race. Without it has long been out of print in America. The chief the future course of the faith is inexplicable. value of these scholarly chapters on the early his- That burst of energy was ascribed by the early tory of Christianity lies in the interpretations disciples to the founder of their faith. Something which Dr. Latourette makes of the facts so care- happened to the men who associated with Jesus. fully collated and documented. It is a philosophy In his contact with them, in his crucifixion and in as well as a history of missions. What the Roman their assurance of his resurrection and of the con- Catholic historian, Schmidlin, indicated in a para- tinued living presence with his disciples of his graph is here expanded and illuminated, namely spirit, is to be found the major cause of the suc- the difference between early, medieval and mod- cess of Christianity. That experience and that ern missions. During the first five hundred years assurance were transmitted to succeeding genera- the area cove_red by Christian missions was the tions. Why this occurred may lie outside the Mediterranean basin and the Church had a narrow realms in which historians are supposed to move. and insecure base for a wide ·field of action. Dur- One reason is probably to be found in the contin- ing the medieval period the area included all .ued study of the earliest written records of Chris- Europe from a broader and firmer base. Modern tianity and in the effort to preserve intact the missions has crossed the. seven seas and reached belief and the experience of the circle of apostles out to all races. Early missions were largely spon-
THE FIRST FIVE CENTURIES OF CHRISTIANITY
taneous, incidental and individual in their method; councils, although both have their place. It is not medieval missions conducted by a church hier- concerned primarily with the decline of the Roman archy were cooperative and social; modern mis- Empire, nor with the result of Gothic invasions. sions, both Catholic and Protestant, are both indi- It traces the mighty work of God's Spirit through vidual and social. Early missions had for their the Church and individual believers to the conobj ect peoples of like race and culture; medieval summation of His eternal purpose. The end of missions dealt with like races but of lower culture; the first five hundred years is prophetic of the modern missions have approached all races of onward march. Dr. Latourette says: every level of culture. Early missions aimed at the conversion of individuals; medieval missions In our hurried pilgrimage through the first five censought the conversion of the masses; modern mis- turies of the spread of Christianity we have watched that sions deal with both and with the social structure faith moulded by element after element of its environment. of society. Left to begin its career with a minimum of organization, without a literature, and with no formulre with which to The periods into which this magnum opus is di- define and defend its content, and thrust into a world in vided are therefore logical as well as chronolog- which syncretism was the fashion, Christianity might well ical. The author has the rare talent, exhibited in have seemed foredoomed to absorption and to lose whathis earlier History of Christian Missions in China, ever distinctiveness it may have inherited from the teachof an unprejudiced judgment together with true ing and the story of the life, death, and resurrection of catholic sympathy for all sorts and conditions of its founder. . . . Christians. Amid the mass of factual detail he never loses hold of his central theme and argu- At the close of its fifth century of expansion Christianment, namely, the gradual expansion of Christian- ity was in a very different position than at its outset. ity as Divine light and leaven in the world. This From being one of the smallest of Jewish sects, it had beis not a history of dogma, nor of ecclesiastical come the religion professed by the majority in the most populous of the cultural areas of mankind. Never in the history of the race had so complete a religious revolution been wrought in so short a time among so large a propor- tion of civilized man.
MY AFRICAN FATHER* My father's children did not love him. They feared him very much. My sisters feared him even more than we boys. If we offended him, such as drinking the dregs of his palm wine or standing near any of his wives, he thrashed us unmercifully. We dared not lift our eyes when he was near.
When he was a young man he became a hunter. After he excelled in shooting he swore an oath that he would not marry until he had killed a man of the Bakembe clan; so he went to the witch-doctor whose advice he followed. After he had prepared the war feast, the war- riors, the only ones invited, ate and danced in their ceremonial dress. Then my father took his gun and crossed the river to the Bakembe clan. He stealthily walked to a certain hut and removed the bark that closed it. There lay a man and his wife, fast asleep. He prayed to his gun, "Oh gun, pick off this man and this woman!" The gun sounded. It killed the sleepers. Immediately the hut caught fire and the whole family perished-not one was left to plant a lily bulb (commonly used to exorcise evil spirits). When he returned to his village he danced and sang the songs of warriors for which he was given much goods. With this he obtained his first wife.
Later, my father became a great "medicine man" and a priest of both the Nge and Urn cults. He sacrificed his mother to become a priest of the Nge.
Father married twenty-four wives, but he allowed only one of them to cook his food for fear of poisoning. When the sun was high in the heavens his favorite wife would set a stool out in the street of our village. There my father sat down while she brought hot water, bathed and rubbed his body with redwood powder. One day he killed his brother because he took from him one of his wives.-Zacheus Body-hardened.
i * Drum Call, West Afl'ica i_______.._______________________________ _
Work in
The Rev. MIGUEL RIZZO JR., Sao Paulo, Brazil Pastor and Recently Moderator of the Presbyterian Church ~._ of Brazil; a delegate to the Centenary Celebration of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.
T HE history of the evangelization of Brazil Presbyterian Church, in the capital of the country, could be divided into three phases: first, has been one of the greatest missionary agencies efforts made by 'the French in the sixteenth of South Brazil. He organized the first theological century; second, beginnings made by the Dutch class from which came three preachers who did in the seventeenth century; and third, the definite a very considerable amount of work. He wrote establishment of the work started by American sermons which fed the piety of the first converts.
missionaries in the nineteenth century. He published a journal which is yet a model The first two attempts would furnish abundant worthy to be imitated by the modern evangelical material for many very interesting narratives, but press. All this work was done in the short period the specific purpose of this article does not permit of eight years. He died when he was thirty-four me to write more than a .few words on that sub- years old, but his blessed memory is still highly ject. venerated by all evangelical workers of Brazil.
The first evangelical preachers and lay workers Many other American missionaries have folwho landed in Brazil were sent by the Reformed lowed and have been working earnestly at the Church of Geneva. The French Government was side of national preachers for years. The work then in possession of the country, recently dis- established on such solid foundations has reached covered. These pioneers were martyred by Vil- considerable proportions. The Presbyterian legagnon, a cruel adventurer who found that the Church of Brazil has now 1275 preaching stations Protestant preachers, whom he himself had called with 330 church buildings, 294 organized to Brazil, were not servile instruments to carry churches, and 144 ordained preachers. It receives, out his political program of oppression against the on an average, 2500 new members every year and inhabitants; he therefore persecuted and put has 35,199 communicant members and 30,114 chilthem to death. dren on its rolls. The Sunday schools include 3183 teachers and 39,476 pupils. The theological semi- The record of the noble courage and unbroken nary in Campinas has 37 students and seven fidelity of these preachers, although written in teachers, while more than 80 other students are blood, is one of the brightest pages of the religious preparing to go to the seminary. For many years heritage of Brazil. the Presbyterian Seminary of Pernambuco has The efforts of the Dutch Christians were more been sending many preachers to northern Brazil.
successful. They organized a Synod with more Almost all churches and missionary stations under than twenty preachers, established schools and the control of the Presbyterian Church in central did much social service on behalf of the poor and and south Brazil are now supplied by graduates sick. When they were expelled from the country of the seminary at Campinas.
by the Portuguese all the evangelical work they A missionary society, sponsored by the Church, had built up vanished. The Jesuits who came after supports a missionary in Portugal and hopes to them have tried to defame them and to discredit send another to that country next year.
the great work they established. When the history In order to understand the real opportunities of the nation is written from a critical and un- and the great needs of the Brazilian evangelical partial point of view their work will appear in a field, we must have in mind, among other things, clear light. The rehabilitation of their memory the following facts: is already being promoted by expert historians. In many regions of the country new areas are After these two unsuccessful efforts in estab- being populated so that the traveler who a few lishing a permanent evangelical work came the years .ago passed through some of these regions American missionaries. The first of them was the will be surprised to see the hamlets and villages Rev. Ashbel Green Simonton, who landed in the where previously he had seen only forest. A field he had chosen in 1859. There he organized a popular expression in Brazil is that, in certain really great work. Through many years the First zones, "cities are sprouting out quickly." This [576 ]
EVANGELICAL WORK IN BRAZIL
growth offers a great opportunity to the churches. ficult part of the Gospel. His letter shows clearly In many of these regions the Roman Catholic that his mind is preoccupied with religious prob- Church has not the same influence it exerts in lems.
other places. When this church begins work at Another fact: a few months ago I was inviter!
the same time as the Protestants we generally to visit an engineer high up in one of the depart- have advantages. Experience shows that many ments of the Government. He wished to present people, moving into a new place, are more ready a subject which could better be studied at his to hear the Gospel. Some of the settlers of new home. I went to his house and he explained that regions have lived in cities whe"'e it was n.ot easy before her marriage his wife had intended to be a to hear a Protestant preacher because they had nun and that all her family were very devout.
to face the criticism of friends 'and relatives who He had in his library a Bible which she read; im- could not understand h.ow anyone could leave the mediately her conception of religion changed. She religion of his father. Moving to a new place, was in great trouble because she could n.ot now these people find themselves in a new environment accept the teachings which for so long had been in which the obstacles to hinder attendance at the guide of her life. She even thought that her Protestant services are much fewer than where spiritual trouble must be a temptation of the they formerly lived. In regions recently opened devil. She went many times to see her priest but up, evangelical work is growing c.onsiderably. If he could not answer her questions satisfactorily.
we can use efficiently such opportunities as these, She finally asked him about her new view of the new cities now being organized will be very Christ, and he said: "The Christ you are intro- different spiritually and morally from the older ducing to me is a Protestant Christ." She had cities where it is so difficult to preach the Gospel never talked with a Protestant but now she be- because the people are proud to be "tl'!aditional" came curious to meet one. That was the reason I Roman Catholics. had received the invitation to visit the husband.
1. Brazilian evangelists are working actively She and her children are now connected with my in some of the new areas. Many Presbyterian church and, through her, the door seems to be missionaries are opening the way into the far in- opening to many .others in high places in the city.
terior and are establishing work even in places Still another fact: at a religious meeting in where the population is very scattered. one of the churches of Sao Paulo a lady was taken 2. Another fact worth while considering is that ill during the service. We found that there were many years ag.o great numbers .of German im- six medical doctors in the audience. That is remigrants came to Brazil and brought their pastors markable when we remember tha;t the Roman with them. The religious service was conducted Catholic Church is doing all it can to prevent in German, which now, in many cases the children people from attending Protestant churches.
do not understand. They are Protestants but they The manager of the largest bookstore in the cannot understand the service conducted still in city where I live is a regular attendant at our the language .of their fathers. In one region oc- meetings. He told me that now they are selling cupied by our missionaries there are tens of thou- more religious books, imported from France, than sands of people in such condition. One of the ever before. Most of these books are written by missionaries, Rev. Harry P. Midkiff, has now Protestant preachers. , thirty-five congregati.ons in .one of these new I could state many other instances, but theRe areas and many more places offer opportunities are sufficient to show that among the intellectual f.or preaching; but a man must not attempt to classes of Brazil there is now more interest in cover too much ground. Can the Church be in- the religious question than ever before. Even different to the spiritual destiny of such a multi- in the Roman Cattholic Church we can observe a tude? change in the attitude toward the evangelical 3. The intellectual classes of Brazil are now churches. There are, of course, still many perse- cutions. A few months ago two of our buildingR more inclined to listen to the Gospel. A few months before leaving Brazil, I received were burned-one in Alpinopolis, Minas, and the a call from a person sent by one of the intellectuals other in Pinheiros, Pernambuco. But generally of the country who had been president of the the educated priests do not now use against the State and is recognized as an outstanding de- Protestants the expressions they formerly did. fender .of the Roman Catholic Church. He sent Recently one of the outstanding priests delivered his representative to ask me to interpret a passage a great eulogizing speech about Erasmo Braga, a of the Bible. He explained that he had already very well known minister, before a selected audimade the same request of many of the cultured ence in the Municiple Theatre of Sao Paulo.
priests of the city and they had not succeeded in 4. Besides the Presbyterian Church there are giving him a satisfactory explanation of that dif- many other Protestants working in Brazil. The
total constituency,according to the last statistics people is remarkably developed. The Sunday is 200,000 communicant members; generally there School is generally very wen attended by young are families and relatives and friends who through people and adults. Many of the churches have a them receive their religious influence, so that it very well organized work in religious education. seems to me that it is not an exaggerated The habit of family worship is not so widely estimate to multiply that number by five. This spread as it should be, but many families are very makes a million persons in Brazil under indirect scrupulous in maintaining it. There are in all the influence of the Gospel. The population of Brazil churches groups of strong Christians and they is over forty-two millions so that the quantity of have a blessed influence on the whole. salt is yet very little in proportion to the mass it must season. If we want to win the country to The ancient name of the country of Brazil was Christ we have before us a task of gigantic pro- "Land of the Holy Cross." We hope that this name portions. But we surely will face that duty. in the future may be applied to it, not as a geo- graphical designation, but as a symbol of the Such facts speak for the spiritual life of the power of the Christ of the Cross to redeem the Church in Brazil. The missionary spirit of souls of its children.
Forty Miles from a Hospital-in U. S. A.
FIFTEEN years ago, fired by the needs of a The story of those adventurous years can only remote neighborhood in the Tennessee hills, a woman opened a two-bed "hospital" in an be hinted at here. There were day and night calls unpainted shack without furnace or plumbing. The little village was far from railroads, and the in all weathers; swollen streams that must be main highway was a hog-wallow after rains. But there were wild trails and one-room cabins forded on horseback or muleback; canyons too DR. MARY CRAVATH WHARTON steep and rocky for even a mule to find footing.
aplenty, with typhoid, tuberculosis, pellagra and Patients were brought in from long distances on hookworm,burns, broken bones and gunshot wounds. extemporized stretchers; babies were delivered Pooling her resources with those of two by the light of log fires. Many homes lacked the friends, she put up a $6,000 building-chartered under the State Charities Act and irrevocably most primitive conveniences, or what we call nededicated to public welfare and community service. Everything was very simple and plain. The cessities; yet out of such homes are coming back country was still "the wilderness"; the nearest hospital was forty miles distant. splendid specimens of young manhood and wom- anhood.
Working under its own Board of Directors, Up- lands-for so the institution was christened-has undertaken a many-sided piece of definitely Chris- tian rural betterment work at Pleasant Hill, and has carried it on with unflagging zeal in the face of formidable difficulties. Clinics and dispensaries, public health teaching, inoculations, the care and feeding of babies, first aid, home nursing, and the growing and canning of vegetables to correct the traditional diet of dried beans and cornbread -all have a place in its constantly expanding program. What this harbor of refuge has meant to hundreds, stricken by sudden illness or in- volved in the accidents common to the mountains, can never be told. The work is Christian but non- denominational, and supported largely by volun- tary contributions. It has grown to a health cen- ter with ten buildings, thirty hospital beds, an x-ray machine, and a corps of trained workers.
It is still c-arried on by its founder, Dr. May Cravath Wharton, whose ability, devotion, and vision, together with her record of achievement, are convincing evidence that its work has only begun. DORA READ GOODALE.
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee.
the Midst of European
By PROFESSOR ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva Secretary of the Central Bureau for Inter-Church Aid for the Evangelical Churches of Europe T HE peace and tranquillity of the Christian in labor circles, an anti-god or godless movement Churches have come to an end in Europe. has sprang up, as one can see in Russia and Spain. The Church idyll is over. It may still exist in some hidden corners, in remote villages, in What does this mean? It means that the Church countries far away from the thoroughfare of of Christ is no longer made up of the majority of modern ideologies and conflicting political powers. the population in modern nations, but represents On the crossroad of the life and thought of the again, as in the time of the Roman Empire, the European nations the Churches have to fight for liWe flock, a minority struggling for its life their material and spiritual existence. against modern indifferentism and secularism. This minority is ridiculed by the modern skep- There are only a few countries on the European ticism which prevails in many of the cultured Continent where nation and Church are more or class as well as in labor circles; the masses are less identical and where most of the citizens also advised by them to "leave heaven to the sparrows members of the churches. This may be the case and to the parsons." in certain Roman Catholic states and in the Scan- If Christianity is no longer a predominant dinavian countries. In Norway, for instance, the Church Government or administration is identical power in many countries, it becomes again, as in with the State Department. In Sweden nobody primitive Christianity, a missionary group. The could, until recent times, just leave one Church missionary task disappeared or was forgotten without entering another one. In Finland, 99% where the Church comprised a majority of the people, where everybody by birth or by custom of the nation are members of the National Lu- was a more or less active or convinced member theran Church. The relation between State and of the Church. Today the Church is again con- Church is hardly a problem or a conflict in these fronted in the midst of "Christian lands" with her countries. original missionary task. The Gospel must again But even in certain Roman Catholic countries be preached, not only to the heathen in dark con- like France and Italy, a large part of the nation tinents, but to millions of modern heathen who has given up church membership or active par- have been baptized or educated as Christians, but ticipation in church life. In France, for instance, for whom Christianity has lost its meaning. the Roman Catholic Church claims not more than The new missionary task with which the Church ten millions out of forty-one millions of the inhabitants; the Protestants count hardly one mil- is confronted is taken up afresh by the Churches lion. Where are the other thirty millions of the themselves and by religious groups who undertake French people? Germany counts officially forty a preaching mission similar to that sweeping over millions of Protestants out of sixty-five million the United States. The Confessional Church in inhabitants. But before Hitler came into power Germany actually considers ,the German people as her first missionary field. A special committee one could count sixteen millions of Socialist and under Herr von Thadden is organizing "Evan- Communist votes and it is well known to what gelical weeks" in the large cWes for bringing extent the Christian Church lost membership in again the Gospel to the land of the Reformation. continental Labor. A French student of theology, These gatherings draw new thousands in the A. Reymond, lived six months as a worker in fac- largest churches and assembly halls who wished tories of French industrial cities and made a study their evangelical witness to off-set the vague naof the religious conditions in the labor class. His tional religion which hardly deserves the name of impressions were that the large majority of the being an offspring of Luther's faith. These French labor classes not only have given up church "Evangelical weeks," the largest missionary propmembership but they no longer know what :the aganda undertaken in Germany, were continued Gospel is or what Christ means for mankind. until the Government forbade them and put the leaders in prison. Wherever Marxism and Bolshevism, with their materialistic philosophy have become predominant The voice of the German Churches could not be [ 579 ]
silenced by such administrative measures. The the thesis that confession is allowed but that pub- Christian people hear the Evangelical message lic discussion and propaganda of religion is forfrom the pulpit, in private assemblies and by a bidden. living and encouraging witness mouth to mouth. The Church in Germany shows in these times of The same thesis is found in the Bolshevist reliconflict that she lives alone on the Word of God gious legislation and its interpretation by the Boland recognizes no other Sovereign than her Lord, shevist party. Religious propaganda, therefore Jesus Christ. The former compromise between evangelization and missions, are prohibited in Church and State which led the German theo- Russia while atheistic propaganda is allowed. logian Richard Rothe to the thesis that the Church This prohibition is only one aspect of a religious would be dissolved in the State, has come to an persecution. The law, especially the new constiend and now the Church is drawing a clear bound- tution, does not speak of it. Religious liberty is ary line between her divine message and its im- granted on paper, but in practice the elements of plications and the claims of Caesar. The Church a religious persecution are seen in the following recognizes the State as a divine order to which facts: The importation of the Bible into Soviet she owes obedience according to God's law, but Russia is prohibited; the free preaching of the she refused to betray the Gospel to a State phi- Gospel is prohibited; thousands of priests, bishlosophy or a modern pagan or half-pagan myth, ops and Protestant ministers have been killed, such as it is developed in Rosenberg's "Myth of banished, or sent to the concentration camps in the Twentieth Century" and in other modern na- Siberia and near the White Sea. All religious tionalistic religious movements. education before the eighteenth year is forbidden. Innumerable Church buildings have been alien- Evidently, it needs that peculiar courage which ated from their religious use and are transformed faith has always shown to defy a totalitarian into museums, cinemas, assembly halls, variety State and to remind the omnipotent State that the theatres or are so heavily taxed that the congre- Lord is God and the Supreme Sovereign. This gation has had to give them up, as is the case courage has awakened new leaders like Barth, with the last Reformed Church in Odessa. Of Dibelius, Koch, Niemoller and many others who two hundred Lutheran pastors working in Russia say again with Luther: "Here I stand, I can no before the Revolution, today only five or six are other." They prefer to go to prison rather than still in their villages and nearly every week their betray their faith. Persecution has quickened the friends in Western countries receive letters aclife of faith and isolation gives back to the Church cording to which new arrests take place. her original independence from the world. From an external point of view the Church in In Italy a similar philosophy of a Fascist State Russia has come to an end although hundreds of seems to have concluded a compromise with the church buildings are still open in the large cities Roman Catholic Church which has a privileged and are crowded on Sundays. The official strucposition and accepted a large endowment of 1700 ture of the Church is shaken; the patriarchate, millions lire in the famous Lateran Treaties of the Synod, the Episcopate, the theological acad- 1929. But a compromise in spiritual matters al- emies, the influence on public life. But it is a ways contains germs of future conflicts. Already wonderful and paradoxical experience that the it becomes manifest that Church and State in Church today is saved by the Russian Christian Italy are becoming two rival and competing pow- mothers. They are the most influential and faithers in the sphere of education and marriage. Mus- ful missionaries of the present time. They teach solini tried to escape a conflict by establishing his their children, often in a very elementary way, doctrine of the "two sovereignties"-that of the what the Church can no longer teach and they State for temporal matters and that of the Church continue the faith and Christian tradition of that for matters spiritual. He has shown much diplo- deeply religious people. These simple farmersmatic skill in meeting the spiritual claims of the poor, uncultured, despised people–have a large Church and not only granted her the privilege of share in the spiritual revival which exists among being the national religion, but introduced the the Russian people today. The Russian writer, New Testament into the schools and concluded a Berdjaev, declares that Bolshevism is the child favorable concordat with the Vatican. At the between Marxism and the deep religious mystisame time he granted religious liberty to the cism of the -Russian people. Marxism is an out- Protestant minorities, especially the Waldensian, come of Western culture. Mysticism is the natin the treaty, "I Culti Ammessi" in 1929. The ural life of the Russian people and it seems that question today is whether Mussolini can protect Western influence has not been able to overcome for the future the Waldensians from the conse- the great natural gift of religion, even in a crude quences of an unfavorable interpretation of the form, which the Russian soul has maintained for treaties by the Roman Catholic clergy defending centuries. It is to be hoped that the time will come
IN THE MIDST OF EUROPEAN REVOLUTIONS
when the Russian Church can again undertake the The fourth window may be seen in a beginning greatest missionary enterprise in Europe – the of social work within the Orthodox Church. Such evangelization of the Russian people by the Bible social interest in the former mystical, hierarchic and the preaching of the Word of God. and sacramentarian Church might have spared Russia a revolution, as Methodism did to England Already four windows are opening in the Or- in the Eighteenth Century. The beginnings are thodox Church towards Western evangelical Christianity. The first is that the Orthodox weak, but hopeful. Church begins to preach. At our ecumenical con- The Church of Christ is going through dark ferences we have heard more than once a sincere evangelical witness from the mouth of an Ortho- times in these European countries shaken by revdox preacher; where the priests remain silent, olutions, but the Divine light shines in this darkthe laymen, simple men and women, begin to ness and the Church is again going through that preach. In the former Raskol, through the marvelous experience which St. Paul expressed Stundist Movement, the Russian Orthodox Church in the words: "When I am weak, then am I has had a Reformation of her own which could not strong." The revolution has revolutionized men's be quenched and is still alive among the Gospel- inner life and martyrdom, wherever it happened, Christians. has again proved to be the real seed of faith in The second window opens through the theo- Christian churches. logical studies which Orthodox theologians began The Church of Christ has again become the at Western Theological Seminaries. Following little flock, but this little flock is a real Church of such studies these Orthodox theologians have faith. The Church is becoming poor like her shown a remarkable independence. They have not founder who had not whereon to lay his head, but only learned from Protestant theology but have she has become spiritually blessed. She is per- secuted in many places but she feels again that defended and expounded their own faith with an she is bearing the Cross which her Master has original theological skill and sincere conviction. Men like Father Bulgakow, Florowski, Wyszes- carried. lavzev, Cassian, Zander and Zenkowski at the Or- These European Christians are suffering in thodox Academy in Paris, and such theologians as Zankow in Bulgaria, Arseniev in Konigsberg their terrible poverty, in their isolation and perseand Alivisatos in Athens have the merit to have cution. They are the "unknown Christian," opened a new understanding of the Orthodox which the wealthy, powerful and busy Churches Church to Western Protestants. in the West so easily forget. Their answer to the world is silence and martyrdom. They can hardly The third window is opening in the present-day speak. It is, therefore, the task of their happier Youth Movement in the Orthodox Church. It be- but perhaps, less blessed brethren, to speak to came hopeful with the fact that the Western them, to comfort them in their terrible loneliness, Christianity refrained from proselytizing the Or- to strengthen their faith in their vicarious sufferthodox Church, at least that part of it which is ing and to show them that evangelical solidarity collaborating with that Church in the ecumenical which is a privilege and a necessity of the Chrismovement. tian life. Such solidarity was recently declared at Oxford and Edinburgh to be one of the urgent ecumenical tasks of present-day Christianity.
SHALL WE KEEP ON ASKING GOD?
By THE LATE JAMES H. MCCONKEY More than half a century ago George Muller, that prince of intercessors with God, began to pray for a group of five personal friends. After five years one of them came to Christ. In ten years two more of them found peace in the same Saviour. He prayed on for twenty-five years and the fourth man was saved. For the fifth he prayed until the time of his death, and this friend too came to Christ a few months afterward. For this latter friend Muller had prayed almost fifty-two years!
But someone says: "How long shall we pray? Do we not come to a place where we may cease from our petitions and rest the matter in God's hands?" He alone, and not we, must decide when we shall cease from petitioning. We may stop praying for someone because we receive the answer or we stop because we believe God has given His answer. The faith of our heart is as sure as the sight of our eyes, for it is faith in God. More and more as we live the prayer life we come to experience and recognize this God-given assurance, and know when to continue our petitioning.
Dilemma of Japanese
_.•..gf By the REV. T. T. BRUMBAUGH, Tokyo, Japan r;;,··- Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church Since 1924 C HRISTIANS and idealists of Japan are "on This is not only a wholesome change from the the spot" of public scrutiny even more at attitude of Christians in all other wars to date, home today than abroad. Every Japanese but it is in great contrast to the positions taken by is required by his Government, and the people who other religious and cultural bodies in Japan.
support it und.er the Constitution of 1868, to give Without exception, Japan's thirteen religious sects absolute and unquestioning obedience to the na- of Shinto have been vigorously supporting the tion and its rulers. The highest moral principle nation's military policy on the Asiatic mainland; in the Japanese code of ethics is loyalty to em- they have indeed been centers of the combative peror and empire. Consequently when his gov- nationalism of the past half-dozen years. Bud- ernment, in a crisis such as the present, seeks to dhism also, while never so unrestrained in grati- obtain assurances of loyalty from the various reli- fication of desires, has given unquestioned support gious bodies functioning in the land the National to all Government policies and certain sects and Christian Council of Japan, representing two hun- Buddhist groups have by popular subscription dred thousand Christians of various affiliated de- raised large funds for the purchase of airplanes nominations, feels obliged to assure Government to be given to the imperial army and navy.
and rulers that the Christian Church "pledges it- In Christian circles the Roman Catholic Church self … to render faithful services to the State." has also recently been very active in assuring the None who read farther into this recent declara- authorities of its unswerving loyalty to the Gov- tion of the Japanese National Christian Council ernment in all temporal affairs, this being an can fail to note, however, that there is deep regret effort to overcome the suspicion that has rested in and chagrin that Sino-Japanese relations have Japanese minds ever since Catholicism was drifted into the sorry mess of today. Japanese stamped out of Japan in the sixteenth and seven- Christians feel their own share in responsibility teenth centuries for alleged connivance with Rome for all this; they call for a movement of spiritual and other capitals of temporal power in Europe.
regeneration within Japan, one which may bring Protestants have occasionally taken up the cudgels Christians and non-Christians alike to conscious- for nationalistic expansion on "Deutschland-iiber- ness of guilt as well as to a sense of God's will in alles" patterns; but the unprejudiced observer the present situation. As regards the crisis within cannot fail to observe a much more moderate and Japan they are determined to show the nation and international attitude throughout C h r i s t ian those in the empire's military service that Chris- groups and "spheres of influence" in Japan than tians minister to all those in need, whether physi- is found elsewhere.
calor spiritual, and they join fervently in prayer Christians and other advocates of world fellow- that the conflict may speedily be ended and in ship in Japan today are in a serious dilemma.
such a way as to make for permanent peace and They have been drawn to the Christian faith and friendship between China and Japan. its humanitarian ideals because it seems so ob- All this may sound pitifully inadequate to those vious that only such a world community under a hoping to hear a more positive voice out of Chris- unitary and loving Divine order can solve the stu- tendom; yet anyone recalling the attitude and offi- pendous problems of life in the modern world- cial statements of Christians in America and personal, social, economic, and others. But they Great Britain during the World War may find in are puzzled and baffled by the fact that European this declaration some reason for gratification. and American social and national life, in spite of There is here no breath of hatred for China, no many centuries of Christian background, is not suggestion of national glorification, no attempt to actuated by Christ-like motives. The JapaIese sanctify war. There is, rather, a deep sense of feel themselves the victims of white supremacy remorse that, in spite of Christian and other ideal- throughout the earth, and Christians cannot deny istic efforts for peace, open warfare has come be- it. They see that this form of white imperialism tween Japan and her neighbors, and there is a has been built up htrgely by military power and desire to mitigate the horrors of war while pray- that, whereas certain groups of Christians have ing for its swift conclusion. in recent years been renouncing further aggres- [ 582)] sion by such violence, not one "Christian" nation, ness; considering thyself, lest thou also be or even one sizable group of Christians, has re- tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens and so pudiated its nation's obvious determination to fulfil the law of Christ." keep for 'itself all the advantages acquired so largely by force. This not only applies to the land It is to Christianity's eternal credit that by and available resources of Christian nations, evangelization, education and the natural penetrawhich compare so to Japan's disadvantage with tion of the humanitarian ideals of Jesus the people its vast population and narrow confines, but it is of Japan, China and all other as yet non-Christian especially clear when one compares the standards lands have been awakened to their need of a more of living of Christian peoples in the West with abundant life, material and spiritua1. It will be a those in the Orient. hard blow to Christian prestige if now awakened Japanese decide that Christianity cannot or will The gist of the matter is that Christians in these not undertake to provide for these needs. We may favored lands do not concern themselves with the condemn as unchristian and immoral the methremoval of obvious inequalities and injustices, and ods that Japan is employing in China in her efforts that they and their governments have deliberately to attain her own economic salvation; but if set economic obstacles that hinder the efforts of Christendom cannot indicate and demonstrate a the Japanese to solve their own problems by peace- better way, then our testimony will be to them as ful means. The charge of Japan's nationalists can sounding brass and clanging cymbal. The Christscarcely be refuted, that Christianity and interna- spirit, even when exercising moral restraint as in tional idealism have not been concerned with a the present effort to restrain Japan in Asia, must practical and just solution of Japan's stupendous be redemptive. Let American Christians not problem of feeding seventy millions of people from overlook or neglect the redemptive quality of their a tillable area in Japan proper equivalent to the faith. Western two-thirds of Ohio. WHAT CHINESE CHRISTIANS SAY Christians in Japan also find it difficult to understand an attitude of mind on the part of Western Dr. Chester S, Miao of the National Christian peoples which will complacently tolerate the vast Council of China says: (1) Everyone should do extent of both economic and political imperialism his best to steady the morale of his community that obtains today in China under European and and help to secure peace and order. (2) We American responsibility, and at the same time re- should endeavor to carryon our daily work and gards with such horror all Japanese effort to solve help others to do their regular work. (3) War Japan's economic problem by similar though per- conditions are a breeding ground for rumor and haps more thorough-going methods. Here we note propaganda. Let us do our best to act as agents the difference, if any, between expansion by the for reliable news and for the dissemination of usual methods of economic penetration and that truth. (4) There is no better time than this to openly supported by military force. Japan cannot bring home to our people the Christian message forget that only ten years ago America and Great of the cross of suffering, We need faith to sus- Britain requested Japanese naval cooperation in tain our hope and to endure suffering. (5) Let Nanking to save our nationals and our property us launch a movement in every city for raising from the confusion attendant upon the northward relief funds and needed materials for suffering advance of Chiang Kai-shek's armies. Artillery people. (6) Let us pray for peace and the adbarrages were then laid down around the Stand- vancement of the cause of Christ. (7) Let us ard Oil compound to protect Occidental lives and show that we love justice and seek to manifest the property with a disregard for Chinese life and love of God. interests not unlike that for which Japan's army and navy are condemned today. The Chinese Christian leader, Mr. C. K. Lee, gave this answer to a student who asked why we In brief, Japanese lovers of peace and world fel- should teach Christianity to China when it has the lowship are in a tight place. They are opposed to ethics of Confucianism: any blood-thirstiness in their national program but they are truly and proudly Japanese. Perhaps "There are three reasons. First of all, Conwe have expected too much of a nation only sev- fucius was a teacher and Christ is a Saviour. enty-five years out of feudalism and a careful China needs a Saviour more than she needs a pupil of western forms of national development. teacher. In the second place, Confucius is dead It would seem to one acquainted with the New Tes- and Christ is alive. China needs a living Saviour. tament that Western Christians might well recall In the third place, Confucius is some day going to Paul's injunctions to the Galatians: "Brethren, stand before Christ to be judged by Him. China if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are needs to know Christ as Saviour before she meets spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meek- Him as Judge."
Working by Love in
The Story of the Omi Brotherhood I _•..e/ By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Tanaka, Kyoto, Japan I Ji.- O NE of the most interesting places to visit in Christian work. This might have sent other less Japan is a small village in the province of enterprising evangelists back to America; but Omi, an hour from Kyoto. While the not so young Vories. He determined to give up country is rich in picturesque scenes and in his- his teaching salary and to remain in Hachiman toric treasures, many tourists, with only a few until he had helped his young disciples to a,ttain days to spend in Japan, take time to visit this spiritual maturity. The situation forced him to town on the shores of Lake Biwa. These visitors become an independent, self-supporting missioncome to see the Omi Brotherhood, "a nonsectar- ary. ian experiment in rural evangelization." A Yale University professor, who had seen the work, ex- Some of his young Japanese friends stood by claimed, "It is one of the most interesting social Vories, sharing their school allowances until outexperiments in the history of Christianity." An side aid arrived; one of the young students American philanthropist said, "This is the most shared his room with his teacher. Some of these interesting missionary story I have ever heard." young men are today active members of the A French atheist after spending several weeks in Brotherhood; their fidelity is much like that of the village wrote, "I have never seen or heard Japanese retainers for their lords.
anything like this. You really believe. Although I haven't yet a consciousness of God or an understanding of Jesus Christ, I could join your Broth- hood today, believing in you."
The Omi Brotherhood is no new form of monasticism, for it is very much a part of the world's life. It conducts a successful business; its mem- bers speak over the radio; it carries on evangel- istic work over a large area. Instead of being wholly Japanese, it includes among its workers, Americans, Koreans, Chinese, and nationals from other countries. While members of the Brother- VORIES, YOSHIDA, NURATA, H. SATO, MIYAMOTO, KOGHO hood refrain from the use of tobacco and alcohol WHO WERE TOGETHER IN THE ACADEMY IN 1905 stimulants, they are not ascetic. In a country (Photo taken in 1930) where even Christianity is too often looked upon Fortunately Mr. Vories had studied architec- as a festal observance, a life insurance for the ture and it was not long before he received some future world, theological speculation, or a matter small commissions to design and erect mission of sectarian loyalty, the Omi Brotherhood repre- buildings. Later he became so busy that he was sents Christian life and the purpose of the group obliged to engage a staff of assistants. In the is experimentally to demonstrate the power of thirty-two years since the establishment of this Christ in daily life and conduct. Brotherhood, Mr. Vories and his assistants have Over thirty years ago, William Merrell Vories designed over a thousand buildings, including came to Japan to teach English in a government some as large and well known as the Daimaru de- academy at Hachiman. Not content with in- partment store in Osaka. A score of draftsmen structing the boys in his native tongue he started are busy in the Omi Hachiman office and branch a Bible class. This move went unnoticed until offices are maintained in Tokyo and Osaka. The some of the boys decided to become Christians. vast evangelistic program centered about this vil- Later money was provided for the erection of a lage has been carried on with the aid of Vories'
Y. M. C. A. in which to carryon Christian activi- "little pencil." Not only has the income from this ties. When the building was nearly completed branch of the work enabled him to finance its the opposition was so great that Mr. Vories was evangelistic program, but the office has intro- asked to resign from the school or to give up his duced many badly needed housing reforms.
[584 ] The next project undertaken was to provide vised by Dr. Vories, all strictly observe Sunday, a building materials and equipment. This neces- practice hardly known in Japan. In some cases sitated the organization of the Omi Sales Com- this has resulted in one day in seven being granted pany which imports and manufactures hardware, as a holiday for all employees, notably in the case refrigerators, household furnishings, and other of one of the large department stores. The Brotherhood factory at Omi Hachiman demon- LUNCH TIME AT THE KINDERGARTEN, OMI MISSION strates Christian commercial principles. Em- ployees are treated and paid as though they were modern equipment. Probably the most profitable children of God rather than as economic slaves venture was acceptance of the Oriental sales to be exploited. The workers receive the benefit agency for Mentholatum. Japanese druggists at of city wages while remaining in the country. first refused to handle ,the product, but it has now become almost a household necessity throughout Some results of the mission work of the Broth- Japan. Two small incidents show how wide- erhood are seen in its churches, Y. M. C. A., gymspread its use has become. One day while the nasium, and sanitorium. One of the finest tuberwriter was visiting a movie studio, a leading lady culosis hospitals in Japan, conducted by the misfell and bruised her arm during the "shooting" sion, is located at the foot of a hill overlooking a of a scene. Immediately one of her fellow ac.tors plain that leads to Lake Biwa. One day a memcalled to the "makeup" girl, "Bring the Menthol- ber of the Brotherhood was told that he had tuberatum." Again, at a country hotel, when a mem- culosis. To care for him and similar cases the ber of our party accidently slipped on a rock and first section of a sanitorium was constructed; bruised his hands, a maid produced a small can this has now developed into a modern hospital of this salve and all was well. When the packages with thirty workers and eighty-five beds. Docof Mentholatum are put up by the Brotherhood, tors estimate that one person in seven (some say a Bible verse and an invitation to correspond are as many as one in three) in Japan is a tubercuincluded in each package. As a result many Jap- losis case, but many have good prospects for reanese have been led to Christ. covery.
Evangelism and business are united in the The Brotherhood is non-sectarian, and its memmembers of the Brotherhood, and the two forms bers are free to join any denomination they of work are carried on side by side. On the sec- choose, but the local Congregational church is ond floor of the general offices in Omi Hachiman, the newspaper evangelism and publication depart- THE TUBERCULOSIS SANITARIUM-OMI HACHIMAN ments are conducted. Several full-time workers are busy preparing Christian magazines and most closely connected with the work. This conbooks, and in sending out Bible lessons and litera- nection dates from Dr. Vories' earliest days in ture to those who inquire about Christianity or Japan when he was invited to speak on Sunday who are taking correspondence courses. mornings to a small group of persons who gath- ered in a private home for worship. Within a These various business enterprises, begun only as a means of financing the evangelistic work, have been the direct means of promoting evangelism. Even in the building operations,super-
few years this group was able to erect a chapel One unusual feature of the work is the "Galiand to call a minister. One of the unusual things lee Maru," a motor launch used on Lake Biwa. about the work is that a collection is never taken About 100 Brotherhood workers carry their acat the meetings; those who wish to contribute tivities into six other places around the lake, condrop their offerings into a small receptacle at the ducting church services, Sunday Schools, Y. M. rear of the auditorium. The congregation has C. A.'s, kindergartens, cooperatives, and agriculgrown so that the worship services were recently tural conferences and experiments. transferred to the large gymnasium of the community house, in the front part of which there is The Omi Brotherhood expresses William Mera day nursery and a kindergarten. rell Vories' dream of a "complete independent mission enterprise, of such a variety of activities as will reach all classes of people in a given local- ity and will develop its own support on the field." In the Omi-Hachiman area of 1,616 square miles, with a population of 700,000 living in one city and 1,376 towns and villages, the Brotherhood's aim is- IN THE MENTHOLATUM PACKING ROOM 1. To preach and practice the Gospel of Christ without reference to denominational differences. A comparatively recent innovation of the Brotherhood work is a girls' high school. The 2. To completely unify the work in a fellowship of all higher education of Japanese boys has been taken workers, regardless of nationality or race. care of by government institutions, but girls have been left to shift for themselves after graduation 3. To evangelize communities unoccupied by any other from grammar school. To care for their needs Mission, and under no circumstances to overlap with the in Omi province a former residence was remod- work of such a Mission. eled and a girls' high school begun with an enrollment of about fifty young women. Three separate 4. To evangelize rural communities, as the most conbuildings house the dormitory, dining hall and servative element of mankind and the most probable source class rooms. of leadership.
The most recent building is a new Y. M. C. A., 5. To seek, enlist and train leaders and Christian workwhere the work is in the hands of a full-time sec- ers. retary and where classes are conducted for the village and Academy boys. 6. To promote social betterment-including temperance, social purity, Christian marriage customs, industrial, physical and sanitary reforms, and definite work for the neglected classes.
7. To study and experiment with new methods of Chris- tian evangelization.
The Japanese authorities that formerly perse- cuted and opposed the work of the Brotherhood are now loudest in the praise of Dr. Vories for through his efforts, he has put Hachiman on the map, has employed a large number of its people, and is gradually raising the economic, moral and religious level of its citizens.
"GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY!"
Some years ago a prominent French jurist was attorney for a murderer. In his final address to the jury he said: "Gentlemen of the jury! My task is very easy. The accused has confessed; a defense is impossible, and yet· I want to add a .few words. There, on the wall, I see the picture of the Crucified Ch:rist and I pay homage to Him. There hangs the picture, in this hall of justice, where you condemn the guilty. But why do we not hear anything of Him in our public schools to which we send our children? Why does the murderer, for the first time in his life, see the Crucified One here in this hall, wh~re the law will punish him? If the attention of my client had been directed to the Crucified when he sat on the benches of the school, he would not now sit here facing disgrace and infamy. Yes, it is you, gentlemen, whom I accuse. You that brag, with your education and your culture, and yet are barbarous, who spread atheism and lust among the people, and then are astonished when the people reply with crime and vulgarity. Condemn my client, gentlemen. You have a right to do it. But I accuse you; that is my duty."
Naturally Love to
By the REV. JAMES F. RIGGS, New York Field Committee on United Promotion, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
W ITH rapt attention the children listened. plan for such instruction, and make it interesting The speaker knew children's interests. He by calling attention to what it does to character, was fascinating. In closing his address he the child responds naturally and gladly. This asked if anyone present wanted to help the cause does not apply to money alone, but to any service of Christian education to continue the work de- rendered as well. Money is merely the tool most scribed. Eagerly the hands went up. Then the frequently used. Stewardship both in theory and minister rose and said, "These children are poor. practice covers many aspects of the Christian ex- They have no money except what working fathers perience.
or mothers provide for them. It is not reasonable Schools of stewardship with classes for youth, to ask them to give to any cause. In fact they stewardship dramas, interesting biographies of need many things themselves." generous givers are all assets in the development The speaker was surprised, as well he might be, of true Christian stewards. Youth learns from since the children did not appear to be in need or them that the giving of self, service, substance, for impovished. However, with a smile he inquired the propagation of the Gospel is not a matter of if he might ask a question. When this permission likes or dislikes. It is an imperative. When was granted he said, "How many of you children properly taught this conception becomes as nat- go to the movies?" Every hand was raised. ural as it is beautiful in the child.
"How many of you go on an average of twice a One church quickened this sense of obligation week?" Many hands shot up. "How many go at to the causes represented by the church program times more often than that?" A few hands were through the making and showing of a set of slides held aloft. Then turning to the pastor he re- on giving. These revealed in the form of charts marked, "I feel sure that it would be no hardship and graphs what the average person spent for for them to share in Kingdom enterprises." luxuries like amusements, tobacco, candy, as con- trasted with the amounts contributed to Church, But two long, searching thoughts filled his mind. Sunday school, Christian Endeavor, etc. The ef- Why do adults deprive children of the privilege of fect of these slides was very convincing. When giving? And why do older people so often pre- this was discussed in Sunday school classes and sent vital work in a manner uninteresting to age groups it resulted in a number of increased youth? pledges accompanied by heightened interest in the cause. Children love to give. They give to what they are interested in. The Church however very gen- Conventional giving is not only w:ithout thrill; er.ally expects interest, but often does not work but is likely to be very short-lived. It will cease creatively to generate it. Usually young people at the first opportunity. The child's money will have not the remotest idea of what they are giv- be absorbed by any secular cause or object which ing to when they drop their offering in the blue is appealing. Children are eager to do what is Sunday school envelope, or in the church collec- interesting. They are right in expecting, if not tion plate. Like their elders they give as a matter requiring, that they should get some degree of of course, as a bit of church routine. Consequently. satisfaction out of the causes which they help to they do so without any enthusiasm.
The Theory and Practice of Stewardship support. They ought.to know why they give, as well as what they give to in supporting church Usually stewardship is not taught in any prac- work. If the basic reasons presented to them are tical way. As a result the rising generation real- stated in terms of life, alert in meeting human izes only in the vaguest possible manner that God needs, the children will respond wonderfully.
is the source of all blessings through the years, There is nothing which appeals more deeply to a including the gift of life itself. As a result all the child than to know that he is meeting a real need.
daily benefits are accepted as a matter of course. Sympathies are ever ready and near the surface It is necessary that stewardship should be taught, in childhood. Youth yearns to do worthwhile and practiced too, if it is to mean anything vital work to help others.
to the child. When parents and teachers have a A far more wonderful response, than is gen- [ 587]
erally the case, will be generated if the principle John D. Rockefeller, Jr., say that in the next genof learning by doing is used to acquaint the on- eration we shall have no more concentrated coming generation with the causes to which they wealth, it is essential that the Church build up a contribute. An intermediate group was expected multitude of small but vitally interested givers. to aid in the support of the mission boat "Prince- In days to come their interest will make them ton," which ministers in so many and varied ways "pillars" of the Church. on the tooth-like Alaskan coast. As the youngsters knew very little of the "Princeton," or the Young people today are more versatile and more work it was doing, their giving was sluggish and mature for their years than in any previous genhad never reached the amount pledged. Often the eration. Youth marches on! May it be with the offering was "forgotten"; or just a few pennies Church – because their imaginations and hearts were given. However, when a manual training have been captured by the challenge of bringing teacher agreed to help the group to make a small the abundant life of Christ to underprivileged peomodel of this boat out of scrap materials from the ple. Thus youth may learn to identify itself with department stores, the change in attitude was Kingdom causes. amazing. Boredom and lethargy gave place to the keenest interest. Attendance became almost 1000/0 MESSAGES FROM D. L. MOODY even at week-day meetings. The group devoured eagerly stories of the service rendered by this If you cannot do some great thing, you can do boat. The giving came up without any visible ef- some little thing for Christ. fort or special pledging in excess of the amount pledged. To these intermediates giving became God is ready and willing to work, if we are "alive." It is spontaneous when interest is hehind ready and willing to let Him, and to be used by it. Jesus' words were once more fulfilled, "Where Him. your treasure is there will your heart be also." What we want today is the spirit of consecra- Tested and Helpful Methods tion and concentration. May God pour out His Spirit upon us, and fill us with holy. enthusiasm. Among the other helps in developing interest in benevolences are moving pictures showing the Many people are afraid of the word "enthusiwork supported. These may be secured at nom- asm." Do you know what that word means? It inal expense from many of the Mission Boards. means "in God." The person who is "in God" Dramatic presentations of evangelistic, medical, surely will be filled with enthusiasm. educational work, carried on by children's gifts are also valuable. Missionary progress may also If the Lord sees our faith for those whom we be portrayed dramatically. Animated biographies wish to be blessed, He will honor it. He has not of famous missionaries are often used with excel- disappointed the faith of any of His children yet. lent effect. There are in addition exhibits of curios; and costume meetings in which the cloth- It is far better to get one hundred men to do the ing of the country aided is used by the speaker work than to do it one's self. Only when the rank and ushers.. These educational settings have a and file of the Christian churches are enlisted in very great appeal. active service for Christ will His Kingdom ad- vance as it should. Hand work is always alluring to active boys and girls. Sometimes stories are told while the work In all ages, God has delighted to use the weak is going on. Or the young people may carry out a things. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that GOd visual program in the form of exhibitions of what uses foolish things, weak things, base things, their money accomplishes. One church put on a and things which are not. But if we are leaning series of tableaux of this sort. Another wrote up on God's strength we have more than all the and acted out its entire hooevolence budget with strength of the world. the aid of the young people themselves under the direction of two or three adult advisers. Medical Compare our opportunities of serving God with service was shown by a hospital scene with the those of the early Christians. Look at the mighty children impersonating the doctor, nurse and pa- obstacles they had to encounter and surmount. tient. Education pictured a teacher cooperating Let us grasp these opportunities to serve Him; with a class in working out a special project. then we may expect great things. He will not disappoint us. All these are but forms of the practice of Stewardship. This is essential to the present-day Let us lJot give heed to gloomy and discouragchurch in a changing world. In an era when men ing remarks; in the name of our great Comprominent in financial circles, like J. P. Morgan, mander, let us march on to battle and victory. "Be of good courage and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people and for the cities of our God; and let the Lord do that which is good in His sight.
African Bishop in
The Story of a Missionary's Journey By R. R. WRIGHT, Jr., Woodstock, Cape Province I Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 1Ja- ~=-=-=-=-=-====================~ C OMING to South Africa a total stranger to stantly, walking many miles each day. We took people, language and customs, I found it tea in his small cottage, which was a marvel of highly necessary to acquaint myself as cleanliness. quickly as possible with my work, and decided that the only satisfactory way was to travel by Here Mr. Gordon left us and we proceeded to automobile. I was fortunate in getting as chauf- Beaufort West where I was to lay the cornerstone feur a young Zulu, who spoke very correct Eng- of a new church. We found the ceremony post- poned because of the sudden serious illness of the !ish, also Afrikaans, Sesutho, Xosa, Zulu and two aged minister. We visited him and spent the or three other dialects; an expert driver, a good night in the home of an old colored seaman, who mechanic familiar with the geography of South looked like the old-time pirates we read about Africa. We took with us maps, guide book and when we were children, but who, in spite of other books and references; an Afrikaans gram- tattooed arms was indeed a kindly old gentleman mar, dictionary and Bibles in Afrikaans and Eng- and an elder in his church. This was our first lish. We drove from beautiful Capetown through experience of sleeping in a "location"-an area the grape-growing districts of Paarl and Well- just outside a city, set apart by the municipality ington to Bain's Kloof, where we gradually rose for the habitation of natives, and sometimes other to a height of 2,000 feet above sea level. This colored persons; the ground is owned by the city, gave us a fine view of ocean and mountains, and which often builds the houses and the people pay villages lying in the gorgeous valleys. We de- rent to the city. These houses are usually two or scended amidst even more beautiful scenery to three rooms, built of mud in the crudest fashion. Worcester, 82 miles from Capetown where we The supervision is usually in the hands of a white lodged with the Rev. D. P. Gordon, who went as "location manager." As there are over 200 "lo- a missionary to this place thirty-two years ago. cations," one can find all types of character in The result of these years of labor are partly seen these managers, from outrageous exploitation to in a comfortable church building which can seat kindly paternalism. In some "locations" there are 400 people, a three-room school building with 215 a few beautiful homes which the people were alpupils, four teachers, and a mission house of seven lowed to build for themselves. But the fact that rooms. The school is now recognized by the Gov- they cannot own the ground and that they may ernment. Mr. Gordon is now 69 years of age, have to move at any time, is most discouraging. and is honored by all for the Christian service he "Locations" were originally designed for natives has rendered. who were brought out of the country districts, Accompanied by Mr. Gordon, who also has away from their native tribal life to work for the whites, and. whom the whites would not allow to supervision of churches on many farms in the live in their cities. This forced segregation has vicinity, we visited the school at De Wet. Here brought on many problems for which have been were two teachers, with 110 pupils in the one- found no adequate solution. The municipality room church building, which had a dirt floor and gives to each church a plot on which it may build benches for about half the children. All seemed an edifice to be used as a church and school. Naunderfed. I had prayer, said a few encouraging tive education is in the hands of the church at words, consulted with the principal and departed present. With all the efforts of the churches there for De Doorns, fifteen miles away. Here again are hundreds of children out of school and it is I found the same type of building, teachers, equip- estimated that 2,000,000 native children in South ment and pupils. The pastor, Mr. Legolie, an Africa do not go to any school. The problem of earnest man past middle age, with little education, education is indeed large. but with great zeal, had not only organized this little church, but churches on six farms. He had At Kimberley, the diamond city, we found an over 200 members to whom he ministered con- intelligent pastor who had built a new church and [589 ]
planted flowers around it, a very unusual thing. in the South African Council, the South African The churches all joined in welcoming us, and I Institute of Race R~lations, the Bantu Men's SJfound here, as everywhere else, a close bond cf cial Center, and in nearly everything that CJn :-;ympathy between denominations. An Anglican cerns the welfare of the natives around Johannespresided, the white Dutch Reformed minister burg. made the principal address of welcome, and the Dutch Reformed colored band played revival In the Johannesburg gold mining center, called hymns to dance rhythm. Brother Nantlahla gave the Rand, from a third to a half of the world's us the manuscript for the African Methodist gold supply is mined. Here are over a third of a Hymn Book on which the Rev. C. Nyombolo, now million natives taken from every tribe in Sou.h deceased, and he had worked for twenty years. Africa, detribalized, underpaid, underfed, living Our next stop was at Wilberforce Institute, our in the world's worst slums-a contrast of poverty leading educational institution in South Africa, and wealth, ignorance, superstition and enlightfounded in 1909 and named for the famous Eng- ened ,Christianity, perhaps nowhere else seen. lish antislavery agitator, William Wilberforce, Here the churches have their hardest task, and and for Wilberforce University in Ohio, whose the A. M. E.'s are trying to do their part. At early graduates are now leaders of our church several places in this gold mining region I called here. together the ministers and discussed educational work and the extension of our church work. We After devotional exercises at the Institute, I have over 125 preaching points on the Rand and left for the administrative capitol at Pretoria. Transvaal. Here I met officers of the Native Affairs Department, of the Department of Education, and of the When I preached I usually had two interpret- Immigration Office; I explained my work and the ers, one each for Xosa and Sesutho, sometimes purpose of my presence in South Africa. I found three and once four. Many Moody and Sankey all the officers without exception not only cour- hymns, as well as the great hymns of all churches, teous,but sympathetic with my plans, although are translated into these tongues and sung to when I expressed my intention to build a Teacher familiar tunes. "Praise God from Whom All Training College in the Transvaal, one said it was Blessings Flow," may be sung to the tune of "rather ambitious." Since then, however, a "Old Hundred" in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sesu- 12-room building has been started in faith, and tho, Xosa, etc., at the same time. Nearly every workmen are going forward. Our members hav2 Africanin the Rand understands simple English, themselves given me over £750 ($3,750) in sup- but is at home in the vernacular. The African port of this effort, notwithstanding their poverty. native does not "shout". as does the American We proceeded to Johannesburg next day and I Negro. He listens very attentively; he prays ferconsulted with business firms as to materials to vently, always sings all the verses of a hymn, start our building. Thank God, I succeeded in get- assembles for worship promptly and does not ting credit for more than £600 ($3,000) worth of want to stay too long. material from one firm, whose managing director said, "We have never let natives have more than On the Rand I met all types of natives, the lowly £50 or' £60 credit; but I am impressed with your and highly intelligent. There is only one native purpose, your plan and your organization, and physician who was educated in America, one, will take the risk." My next discussion was with lawyer, no dentists, one accountant, many prithe Inspector who had expressed doubt that na- mary teachers, a few nurses, a few politicians, tives could erect such a school building. In fact, editors and business men. All were anxious to the specifications read, "All skilled work shall be hear about the American Negro, and I was kept done by Europeans; i. e., white mechanics." I, from morning till night answering que.tions about however, got permission to have it read, "By com- America. petent mechanics-," and am proceeding with mechanics of my own race, much to the surprise and In all, I spent ten days on the Rand. My nex'; satisfaction of the Inspector, who has publicly stop was at Bremersdorp in Swaziland, where at praised the work. midnight, under a perfect African starlit sky, I met King Sobhuza II, Paramount Chief of the I conferred with Dr, J. Dexter Taylor, of the Swazis. He gave me a hearty" welcome to his American Board, at his home in Johannesburg. country. Far through the night we discussei re- He is, a member of our Board of Trustees of Wil- ligion, education and the general economic ani berforce Institute and I have found in him a true social life of his people. I shall never forget this friend and guide. He has been in South Africa meeting~. ,nor the man, still under 40, a philosoover 30 years and he is loved by the natives and pher,scholar and statesman. I met the Qm:en respected by the Europeans., He is a: leading spirit Mother in her kraal, consisting of over 400 huts of thatched roofs, surrounded by high cane fences. She received me seated on the ground, encircled
AN AFRICAN BISHOP IN AFRICA
by her advisers. Our interview lasted nearly an the marriage ceremony for Chief Seiso Maama hour. I was guest in the kraal of Chief Ben and remained for the festivities. Mrs. Seiso Nxumalo, uncle of King Sobhuza II. The Chief Maama is a woman of beautiful character and went to America in 1928 as a delegate to the high ideals. Her husband, unlike many other A. M. E. General Conference, and got many mod- chiefs, has only one wife and is a devoted Chris- ern ideas, some· of which he has tried to put into tian preacher.
practice. The National Training School is a new At Morija is the hundred-year-old French mis- venture of credit to the Swazis. sion which has done more than any other mission We have fifteen schools in Basutoland, but the to develop the Mosutos language and literature. government gives grants only to the older We visited its famous printing plant where more churches-the French Mission, the Anglican and than twenty-five natives do printing for all de- Roman Catholic churches; all are doing such nominations in South Africa. The French misgood work that Basutoland, I was told, has the sion encourages native African initiative in a way largest percentage of native school attendance in worthy of imitation. At Maseru we saw in the all South Africa. Some of the most powerful . Government offices the first black stenographer chiefs are members of our church and have given .and typist since we left America. land and buildings for schools, which we have We saw very few naked natives, except chilbeen inadequately supporting. I was guest of dren. We met none who had not heard of Jesus.
Chief Seiso Maama, who gave the ground for We heard testimony to the two hundred years of Maama Memorial Church which I dedicated in the heroic missionary endeavor, and also the great inpresence of 1,000 people who had come from fluence of a recent visit of Dr. John R. Mott to mountain fastnesses to witness the ceremony and South Africa. I have met most of the outstanding partake of the chief's hospitality; he killed sev- leaders of all denominations, and all seem coneral oxen for the occasion. As we were leaving, scious of the great work still before them, not the chief and his wife asked me to join them in now so much of securing acceptance of Christ but holy wedlock after the Christian fashion; this I of putting Christianity more into practical life. promised to do when I returned to Basutoland. We who know how hard this is in America, espe- We proceeded to Johannesburg and to Evaton to cially where the darker races are concerned, can inspect our new building. At the insistence of one 'imagine the task before earnest Christian leaders of my presiding elders I visited the Western in South Africa. As much work needs to be done Transvaal. At one place, I was surprised to find among the whites as among the blacks, if there is the most prosperous looking natives I have seen. ever a satisfactory answer to the question, "Shall My host owned in his own right 1;800 acres of Africa Be Christian?"
land, and I met a group of men who owned or I have repeatedly asked myself during this leased over 10,000 acres. They were anxious that journey, "What can the American Negro do?"
the church purchase several large plantations and The answer is, "Much." Wherever I have gone move the people on them, thus giving them better people have said, "Tell us about people in Amer- protection and a better chance for worship, edu- ica," no matter what the occasion. So the Amer- cation and economic improvement. While their ican Negro is an inspiration to the African-he argument was apparently sound, I was not able to wants improvement in living and an outlet for the give them much hope, so far as the church is con- "more abundant life." The rapid growth of the cerned. I sincerely hope that some Christian or- A. M. E. Church is due to this fact. However, ganization may become interested in the economic very few American Negroes are in South Africa.
imprqvement of these people. I have not met a dozen who came here during the After a brief rest we returned to Wilberforce past twelve years. American Negroes trained in to hold the executive board meeting of the wom- social work, in agriculture, as well as in religion, en's missionary organization, headed by Mrs. could help the native and the country at large, if Maxeke, a graduate of Wilberforce University in they come under cooperative, rather than under Ohio. With her husband she has labored nearly denominational auspices. The task is far too forty years in South Africa. I was pleased with great for the individual church.
the earnestness and intelligence of these native I have supervision of over 430 preaching places, women. Next day I laid the cornerstone for the separated by nearly 3,500 miles and reaching new building at Wilberforce Institute and received every .tribe of .Africans, representing the work of contributions from the natives of nearly $500. forty years. But I need helpers. The harvest Two thousand people attended and it is estimated truly is plenteous but the laborers few. Pray that that 90 '10 of them contributed. The inspector of God may move the hearts of more Americans of native schools was the only white man present. African descent to come over and help their be- Then we returned to Basutoland and performed nighted African brothers and sisters.
A Ponca Breaks Paths for
A Chapter in Rural Education for Indians in Oklahoma By the REV. COE HAYNE, New York The American Baptist Home Mission Society SCORES of young Christian Indians are ac- which the Choctaw church worshipped. The old cepting positions as teachers in schools in shack of a building had been given to the Indians most difficult communities, amid desperate for a schoolhouse. And Louis Rhodd had arrived poverty and privation, which they must share, to open the first school for the Choctaw at Bas- that they may be of service to their people in the come. One side of the building, lacking window name of Christ. Going to their stations under ap- frames as well as window panes, was open to the pointment by the Department of Education of the weather. There were cracks an inch wide in the Indian Service, with foreknowledge of the condi- warped and decaying flooring. There were no tions they must confront, they endure the cold in seats or desks in the building. A small platform poorly equipped school buildings and the loneli- at one end of the room indicated that it had once ness in remote places without complaint. In many been used for public gatherings.
localities Indian children would be without school Asked whether or not he felt like turning his privileges today were it not for the enlistment of back on such a school equipment, Mr. Rhodd said: these young Indians in this pioneer educational "I was glad to have such an opportunity."
enterprise. Soon the Ponca was joined by a young Choctaw The Special Indian Day Schools in Oklahoma who from his home a quarter of a mile distant, are served by one teacher each. In these schools had seen the automobile stop in front of the old they find that "teacher" includes many profes-· church building. The Choctaw introduced himsions. Often they are asked to give advice in self by saying that he suspected that the newcomer native disputes; their judgment is sometimes fol- was the man who was to teach the school. He in- lowed and sometimes not. They assist at times vited Mr. Rhodd to go home with him assuring of birth, illness or death, not only the Indians but him of a lodging there over night and possibly also the whites within the community. They offer longer. The father in this Choctaw home did not plans on how to run a home, farm or chicken give an immediate answer to Mr. Rhodd's request hatchery. They are athletic directors in the com- for a permanent abiding place. During several munity. You find them some evenings within minutes he gave no sign that he had heard the their schoolhouses cutting the children's hair. question. When he spoke it was to speak dis- Wherever aid is needed these teachers are called paragingly of the food his home could offer. When upon to help. Mr. Rhodd assured his host that he would be glad The experiences of Louis Rhodd, while conduct- to share with the family whatever comforts were ing a rural school in a neglected Indian neighbor- available and to pay for same, the desired per- hood in Oklahoma from 1934 to 1936, bring into mission to board and lodge in that humble home sharp relief the spirit with which many forward- was granted.
looking Indian youth are meeting their Christian Mr. Rhodd began at once to repair the old responsibilities. Mr. Rhodd, whose former home church building for school purposes. Although was Pawnee, Oklahoma, was educated at Bacone under appointment by the Indian Office he did not College and the University of Oklahoma, the first hesitate to appeal to Mr. Walter Haggard, Pitts- Ponca Indian to obtain a college degree. He was burg County superintendent of education, with appointed by the Office of Indian Affairs to con- offices at McAlester, Oklahoma, for assistance.
duct a school among the Choctaw Indians at Bas- Mr. Haggard had a new floor put in the school, come, Oklahoma, in September, 1934. the doors, windows and steps repaired and the From the Agency of the Five Civilized Tribes schoolroom painted white. On opening day thir- in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was conveyed by auto- teen pupils were enrolled -later the number mobile to the location of his prospective activities. reached nineteen, all members of the Choctaw The Agency man drove away, leaving the Ponca tribe, twelve of whom were fullbloods. Of this and his traveling bags in front of a dilapidated group only three had been to school before. The little Methodist meeting house, abandoned these ages ranged from four to seventeen years.
many years. Nearby stood a newer edifice in During the first two weeks Mr. Rhodd did not [592 ] have textbooks suitable for beginners. There I have visited Indian homes and seen school children was a total lack of paper, pens, ink, pencils and that were five and six years old correcting their parents' blackboards. For classwork he depended upon table manners. the children's experiences and knowledge of the country and his own resourcefulness. He told Good habits such as inhaling pure air, refraining from stories and encouraged the children to talk con- spitting on the floors, coughing or sneezing in the faces cerning their people and their surroundings. He of others, adequate rest and food, and in general a wellconducted hikes; names of trees, rocks, crops and regulated life will do much to prevent T. B. towns in the locality were listed; maps of the neighborhood were drawn; health topics pertain- In another important matter the cooperation of ing to school and homes were discussed. At the the parents was secured. As the Indian child is end of two weeks each pupil was supplied by the extremely shy and self-conscious the lack of county with textbooks, writing tablets, ink, pen knowledge of good English is a real handicap to points, pen holders, pencils, erasers and crayons. him. In all the homes the native Choctaw lan- The schoolroom was equipped with blackboards. guage was spoken when Mr. Rhodd arrived on the The Indian agent had sent some government books field less than three years ago. The aid of the that were used as supplementary material. The parents was gained to increase the use of English equipment sent by the county included a basket- within the homes. In the Choctaw Indian lanball, two soft balls, bats and some lumber used in guage there is an order opposite to that of the making see-saws and backboards for basketball English. The children had a tendency to speak goals. the English in the same order but they worked hard with the language and by Christmas time The first community gathering at the school was the second, third and fourth grade pupils were an old-fashioned pie-supper given to raise funds writing letters to friends in English. to purchase baseball equipment. The ball games that followed brought the Indians and white peo- Within the schoolhouse has grown a small liple together in clean entertainment, promoting a brary consisting of books on history, poetry, bulbetter understanding between the two racial letins pertaining to farm and home, newspapers, groups. magazines, and also religious reading material. Both the state and national governments issue The parents were unable to provide proper diets bulletins on various subjects that are always oband clothes for the school children. Money ap- tainable free of cost. The Department of Agripropriated by the Indian Service and Pittsburg culture tells the farmer how to fertilize the soil, County provided hot noon lunches for all enrolled. select seed, fight insects, pests and plant diseases, The clothing collected by Bacone College students plan farm buildings, care for stock and poultry came as welcome Christmas gifts. and market their products. Bulletins are also issued in behalf of the housekeeper, telling her Four families moved from a distance of twenty how to care for the health of her family, feed chilmiles or more, leaving fairly comfortable homes dren, preserve fruits and vegetables for winter to live in hastily built shanties so that their chil- use and how to take care of perishable food. By dren might attend school. The winter of 1934- collecting these pamphlets and making them avail- 1935 was a cold one but during the severest able, Mr. Rhodd helped the Choctaw people to weather no family moved back to a warmer house, obtain expert advice in many situations confrontpreferring to endure hardship with the school ing them in their isolated communities. Once a children. Mr. Rhodd helped to seal the shanties month the people come to the community house with building paper. to discuss the problems within the community, and especially the work which the school is try- Adult education was made possible through an ing to accomplish. alliance between the homes and the school. Through the cooperation of the children health Concerning these community forums Mr. Rhodd instruction was transmitted to parents. reported: This Ponca instructor has something very defi- Such problems as conservation and prolongation of life; nite to say about health: knowledge and control of domestic life; knowledge and control of physical environment and creative activities Good health gives better character, greater usefulness, are discussed with much spirit within the school, church increased anility to perform our daily tasks. To let a and homes. Such discussion of problems provides an acchild suffer from ill-health when he might have a strong, tivity that has a permanent and far-reaching result. We healthy body is foolish. are gradually laying a suitable foundation for the day when this community will insist that all its members con- One of the first centers of interest around which useful form to certain standards. learning may start is the school lunch period. This provides an activity that has a permanent and a far-reaching The Choctaw church board, at Mr. Rhodd's reresult. He is taught the proper posture at the table, the quest, consented to have lessons of the Sunday correct use of the spoon, knife and fork, and other de- school taught in the English language. sirable habits. The older children are given an opportunity to wash the dishes and clean the room after lunch.
Missionary
By M. E. RITZMAN, PH.D., Reading, Pa.
Professor of New Testament and Missions, Evangelical School of Theology DR. A. J. GORDON used to say that he not? What is his supreme purpose regarding His stopped praying that the Lord Jesus would Church? We find it summed up in that cate- have compassion on a lost world. "I seemed gorical imperative, "Go ye." Jesus' first command to hear him say to me," said this man of God, "I to his disciples was, "Come ye after me, and I will have had compassion on a lost world; now it is make you fishers of men"; .his last was: "Go, for you to have compassion. I have given my make disciples of all the nations." Discipleship heart; give your heart." and apostleship are one and inseparable. We learn but to teach; we know of Jesus but to tell Dr. Gordon was right. Christ came into the of Jesus; we commune with Him but to comworld, a missionary from Heaven to earth, to show municate Him. Only so far as His Church acus God's infinite love and compassion. He lived cepts her responsibility for teaching all nations to and taught and spent His days in blessing the observe all things whatsoever He has commanded humble poor and His nights in prayer. The Evan- her, may she experience the fulfilment of His gelist tells us that "when He saw the multitudes, promise, "Lo, I am with you always." He was moved with compassion." That was the mind that dwelt in Christ. But He was rejected Some are prone to think that only the more by His own; betrayed by priest and disciple. He pious and zealous Christians need be witnesses. agonized in the Garden and confronted there the But to make Christ known must be the commandarchenemy of our souls. He bore the scourging, ing purpose of every Christian. The early Christhe hissing, hooting, and spitting. He staggered tians understood their Master's meaning, and under the weight of the cross, died on it, went when they were scattered abroad, they went into our sepulchre and rose more than conqueror. everywhere preaching the risen Lord. Now He stands on Olivet. Angels beckon Him. The Father is waiting for Him. With outstretched Because Christ's heart longed for the salvation hands He tells to His disciples that all power is of all men, because He died on the cross to save His, and bids them, therefore, to go everywhere every man, Christianity is distinctively and essenand tell the Good News to all the nations. Then tially missionary. The missionary enterprise is the heavens receive Him. All power was His, not a by-enterprise, a mere incident in our modtherefore they were to go. That was before ern life in which a few enthusiasts take an inter- Pentecost. The missionary idea came into the est and of which they are making a fad. The misworld with the birth of Christianity. sionary work of the Church is not secondary, but primary and supreme. It is not a work which In spite of these "marching orders," in spite of must take its place among other works, that may the missionary enthusiasm of the early Church, be done or neglected according to our mood. If we have the staggering fact to explain that though it is true that the eternal Son of God took upon more than sixty generations have come and gone Himself man's nature and lived on this earth and since our Lord gave His message, out of every died upon the cross for the sins of mankind, there three persons in the world, two are practically is no other fact in history to equal it, and it must without knowledge of Jesus Christ. The need of be told everywhere. these hundreds of millions is indescribably great. Most of them are living in ignorance and dark- It is therefore impossible for the Church to live ness, steeped in idolatry, superstition, degrada- in disobedience to the last command of Christ, tion, and corruption. While the so-called non- and remain Christian. Obedience to Christ is not Christian religions furnish some moral principles less an essential to salvation than trust in Him as and precepts of value, they do not afford adequate the atoning-Saviour. Christians should live up to standards and motives by which rightly to guide their profession by making it their first and highthe life, nor power to enable one to take the step est concern to "preach the gospel to every creabetween knowing duty and doing it. ture." They must either be missionary Christians or they will soon be missing Christians. Tested What is the great thought of Christ with refer- by the words of Scripture, the Church is Christian ence to this great mass of people who know Him and Christ's so far, and so far alone, as it has [ 594 ] obeyed and is obeying the Lord's last and supreme salem never seemed to catch the world-wide mis- command. In this day too many feel they can sionary vision, never seemed to apprehend that obey whatever command of Christ it pleases them the Gospel is for everybody and everywhere. They to obey, and disobey whatever command of the wanted to keep their best workers at home, and, Master they do not choose to obey. so far as we know, never sent men or money to '
It is a historic fact that the Church has pros- evangelize the heathen. While it weakened and pered according as she has cooperated with God's declined, the Antioch church flourished like a plan to give the Gospel to every creature or has green bay tree until in the time of Chrysostom declined to do so. Individual churches and whole half of the city of more than 200,000 population denominations are examples of this. Weak was Christian. What was the difference? One churches with missionary zeal soon become strong fell in line with God's plans for the world-wide churches, whereas a strong church that is an- propagation of the Gospel and God blessed and tagonistic or apathetic toward missions, finally prospered and gave it mighty power. The other becomes a weak church. Nor is this strange, for did not fall in line with God's plans and he withwhat interest can Christ have in the declaration held his power and the church suffered and at last of a man or a church that they believe in Him disappeared.
as the Son of God and the universal Saviour, when There are other reasons that compel me to be they repudiate that confession by denial of that missionary minded. There is no place where one Saviour's mission to the race? Dr. James 1. Vance can invest his life where it counts for as much as has well said, "The church that ceases to be mis- in the mission field. Shortly before Dr. John E.
sionary can no longer be evangelistic; the church Williams met his death at the hands of a Chinese that ceases to be evangelistic can no longer be soldier at Nanking on March 24, 1927, he was evangelical; and the church that ceases to be asked by his wife, as they stood one evening look- evangelical may well doubt whether it is Chris- ing at the lights of Nanking University to which tian." Dr. Albert Schweitzer, of Germany, one of he had given so many years of missionary service, the great Christian philosophers of today, and now "Jack, if you had known all you know tonight, serving as a medical missionary in the heart of would you do it over again?" Quick was his an- Africa, says that our Western civilization is swer: "Yes, a hundred times over! Where else doomed without a dominantly unselfish world in- could I have invested my life in a way that would terest. How much more necessary is it that the have brought me such large returns?"
Church have such an unselfish world interest! Is it not the irresistible logic of the Christian Yea, verily, it is utterly impossible to separate conscience that we are bound to share what we Jesus Christ from this world-wide missionary in- have which we know to be universally good? The terest, and the church that tries to do so may well better it is the more we are bound to share it; write "Ichabod" over its door, for its days are and since Christ is infinitely the best we have, we numbered. are more bound to share Him than by any other The loss of its world vision will more quickly obligations in the world.
bring death to the church at home and obedience Paul felt this when he cried, "I am debtor both to our Lord's last command will vitalize and to Greeks and barbarians." Why? Paul felt he quicken her life. If the church of today would had something which the rest of the world needed have the power of God come mightily upon her, and must have for its redemption. What a chal- if she would know her Lord's intimate presence, lenging motive this should be for us! We have she must receive it in the pathway of larger obe- received more than millions upon millions of our dience to the missionary command of Christ. Cut- fellows. Therefore, according to the Christian ting down our missionary force, closing up fields, principle, we should give more. We are "debtors."
reducing our missionary work to a minimum to If we believe that in Christ alone is found the save expense, is no way to receive God's blessing. truth that satisfies the intellect, the power that re- Only as the Church makes heroic sacrifices to meet generates the life, and the hope that illumines the its missionary obligations, only as her member- future; if we believe that to men's need of Christ ship has something to sacrifice for, only as we there is no exception, and to His power to save give our best, can we expect the Christ of God to them there is no limit: if we believe that He is the walk with us in the way of blessing and pros- gift of the Father to all, that He died to make perity. atonement for the sins of all, that He has been The church at Antioch was an informed and lifted up to draw all men unto Him – then we obedient church. They fasted and prayed and must believe that our first duty is to give the sent forth the best they had, and as a result the knowledge of this Saviour to all mankind. Verily, church became one of the greatest churches of we are "debtors." Are we ready to pay our debts?
the centuries. The old mother church at Jeru- The Apostle Paul meant much the same thing
when he said, ~'We also believe, and therefore also and at last dying the martyr's death? He says it we speak." He who has convictions of any truth was the love of Christ that constrained him. important to others, is ever moved to make that What was it that drove David Livingstone through truth known. You can judge of the sincerity of a Central Africa again and again? What was it man's convictions by the ardor of his proclama- that kept John G. Paton in the South Seas when tion. In this there is nothing peculiar or arbi- the savages again and again tried their best to kill trary. The astronomer discovers a star, and him? What was it that impelled Adoniram Judstraightway desires to give his discovery to the son in his heroic sacrifices for Burma? What was world. The honorable medical man who discovers it that steadied Robert Morrison, during the long a sure prophylactic during the progress of an epi- years when China resisted like a rock? What was demic, would be insanely selfish if he did not pro- it that drove Dr. A. L. Shelton repeatedly to Tibet claim it. As soon as any conviction of important until he lost his life at the hands of a bandit? truth becomes central and vital, there must come Their abiding motive was the love of Christ which an immediate and irresistible desire to utter it; constrained them. Does it constrain us? Do we then sacrifice is gladness and service is joy. The love Him with a love that surpasses all human early Christian Church believed in the sinfulness of man's nature, in the atoning power of Christ's loves? sacrifice on the Cross, the regeneration of the soul Some years ago an American young woman was of man by the Holy Spirit and in the judgment to come, the issues whereof are eternal. Under the called to China. She was the only child of her pressure of these truths, the early Christians could father, precious to him beyond expression. After not but speak, for the truth was a fire in their a tremendous struggle with his own heart, that bones and neither dungeon nor stake could turn father gave up his daughter for China. On the them aside from their purpose. Neither austere night when she was bidding farewell to church climate nor violent opposition could restrain the and friends, the father was asked to say a few medireval missionaries who believed these same words. At first he could not speak; then he said: truths and they went forth to Hun and Goth and "Friends, you all know me, and you all know my Teuton. Because our forefathers in America and Susie, and you all know what she has been to me the early pioneers of our own church, believed all her life, the very light of my eyes, the joy of these fundamental doctrines of the Christian my heart. Jesus Christ wants my daughter in faith, they went forth with heroic sacrifice to China and she is going. All I can say about it is preach the Gospel in our western states and then this-I have nothing, nothing too precious for my on to China and Japan and other lands. Men may Lord." say that they were mistaken, but there is the fact -they believed, and therefore they also spoke. Have you? Have I? Have we anything in Can we do less than they; or are we doing Tess heart or life today that we cannot willingly, because we believe less? gladly, give up to win men to Christ? May God bring us all to that heaven on earth, where, look- But above all,_ there is driving power in the ing into His face, we can truly say, "I have nothlove of Christ. What was it that drove Paul from ing too precious for Jesus Christ, my Lord." the Eastern end of the Roman empire to the When all who profess His name can say that, Western, preaching and teaching and suffering there will be no more missionary debts, there will be no lack of volunteers; our missionary prob- lems will be solved.
A PRAYER FOR MISSIONARIES o Lord Jesus Christ, the desire of all nations, who didst come down from heaven to seek and to save the lost; grant Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, upon thy missionary servants who are carrying the light of Thy Gospel to the dark places of the earth. Preserve them from every danger to which they may be exposed; from perils by land and sea, from persecution and pestilence, from discouragement in their labors, and from the devices of the adversary. May they see thy work prospering in their hands; and do Thou hasten the time, 0 gracious Saviour, when the multitude of unbelievers shall be gathered into Thy fold, and when all in- every land who neglected Thy salvation shall be converted unto Thee. And to Thee, Lord Je- sus, be the praise, unto whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be an honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
of Converts from
I 1I)It- -sf Sent by STEPHEN o. KOOBYAR, Tabriz, Iran Il====~~ "I WAS formerly a very bigoted Moslem and that if Islam were true I should see the proof in had a reputation as a woman of religious my dreams, and if Bahaism or Christianity were zeal. I had made a thorough study of the true that I might see other evidence. It so hap- rules and ritual of Islam and spent my time day pened that my dream that night pointed to Chris- and night in keeping those things which I believed tianity and the next night the same thing took to be my duty, especially in fasting during the place. Still I was not convinced.
special month and daily prayer and almsgiving. "Later I went into a closet to change my clothes.
At the same time I continually implored God to It was dark and the feeling came over me that I save me. must fall down upon my knees and pray. I did "Nearly twenty years ago severe family trouble so, not being able to resist the power that impelled came upon our home, so that I had to flee and me. I poured my heart out in prayer and then found shelter with a widow who had formerly came a vision of Christ. It was as though I were worked with us as a servant. At this time one of drawn to Him by a power above my will to resist.
the American missionaries opened a small school From that moment there was not the slightest in our district, which was entirely Moslem, and doubt in my mind that the claims of Christ were became a teacher there. For the first time I found true. I told my mother and asked her to make and read the Old and New Testament. My condi- arrangements for me to study and be baptized.
tion was changed and finally the light dawned in She asked whether I were certain that Christ was my heart. I accepted Christ as my personal Sav- my one and only Saviour and my ground of hope iour. It was my need that first led me to Christ. for time and eternity. I replied fervently that I "After I was forced to leave my home I was had absolute assurance. Her beaming face showed most despondent and lived a life of gloom until I me that she was praising God. found Christ and this was changed to continual joy and happiness and assurance. Just as the "I began to study the New Testament with a sun is not appreciated until one has known the new spirit and, after a period of probation, I was darkness, so it took trial and trouble as a back- baptized. Christ has sustained me through all ground to make me appreciate the light of Jesus my trials and I know that He is the highest rev- Christ."-From a lady who has been a Christian elation of God. There are many great things in for fifteen years. Christianity, but the greatest is that Christ is able to change life and make a new person; all things *** become new in Him."-A young lady, twelve yearts a Christian. "Fourteen years ago there were six people in our family. My mother had become a Christian *** and the others were all Moslems. I was by far the most zealous of the whole family in the Mo- "This servant was born a little more than fifty hammedan faith and during the month of fasting years ago into a village family. My parents were godly people though neither of them was able to I would arise before daylight to prepare my own read or write. My father had made several pil- food as I would not eat during the day. At times grimages to the Shiah shrines of Islam. I was I argued with my mother to persuade her to re- especially beloved, as I was an only child. My turn to Islam. She did not ask me to become a parents were neither very rich nor very poor, but "Christian but urged me to read the New Testa- wanted to give me every possible advantage. ment. This made me even more fanatical. I went When I was six years old they placed me in the to the mosque and sat at the very foot of the pUlpit village school. when the mullah preached and joined in the prayers very earnestly. I had some very close "They wanted me to learn to read and write. friends who were Bahais (a reformed Moslem If they had a child who could read the blessed sect) and they urged me to attend their meetings Koran it would be a great act of merit for them in and presented the claims of their faith. I became this life, and they believed that the reading of the Koran after their death, would atone for their very unhappy and, being little more than a child, sins. From earliest childhood I had a desire for my mind was filled with superstition. I prayed religious things and my talents seemed to lie along [597 ]
this line. When I had passed the first grades in captured my attention and interest in spite of mythe village school, the teacher suggested to my self. I was miserable for a time, wondering parents that I was worthy of all the education they whether truly salvation were in Islam or Christ. could give me and asked them to send me to the Finally the words of Jesus came to me with specity school. I went there and did well in my les- cial force, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are sons until I was considered worthy to study the heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' I found the higher branches of Islamic law and religion. I truth of this promise in my own life. I came to entered with zeal upon these studies. Him and found rest. From the day that I gave myself to Christ my troubles became less and my "After some time I heard that certain mullahs heart became joyful; my load became light, and and mujtahids were not true in their faith. I found myself making progress in joy that Christ Though they kept up the appearance of being true alone can give. I believed in the God who gave Moslems it was rumored that they did not be- His only begotten Son to be the atonement for the lieve the very things they taught and that their sins of the world, and in Christ who bore the lives were not in accord with their doctrine. I burden of our sins upon Himself and died upon went to a leading priest who was said to be a 'lib- the cross to ransom us, to save us from destruction eral' and asked him a number of questions. His and bring us salvation and life everlasting. answers only served to increase my doubts and I Among the race of men there is no other free from worried more and more about my faith in which sin who could save us from its guilt and power. I was supposed to be a teacher and leader. Salvation and forgiveness is found in Him alone. Christ took up His abode in my heart and I found "The thought came to me, 'How can it be that comfort in every trouble. He gave me salvation the most educated people of the world in Europe and freedom from the death of sin. and America, with all of their science and invention, can be mistaken about their religion?' My "So I give praise to God that He has led me out first contact with Christianity at this time was of the darkness into His eternal light and has prothrough a Christian priest. Later I met a mem- vided a Saviour who has made perfect atonement ber of the Evangelical church who received me as for my sins and those of the whole world."-A a real brother. Our hearts became knit together and I became his disciple. I learned from him of 1foung mother. my own sickness of sin and the remedy in Jesus Christ. From that time to the present every ad- THE TOUCH OF CHRIST TODAY vance in spiritual truth has shown me in more bold relief my own shortcomings. It is only in Among the hills of Galilee, Christ that I have found peace in my heart; He Through crowded city ways, has shown me my sin and need and also the atonement for sin through the sacrifice of His cross. The Christ of God went forth to heal And bless in olden days. "I should be happy at some time to set down in detail my experiences, that perchance this road The sinning and the sad of heart which I have traveled, from a priest of Islam to In anxious throngs were massed one who has surrendered all to Christ, might help some brother to find the Way."-A former Mo- To catch the great Physician's eye And touch Him as He passed. hammedan Mullah. We have not in our hours of need *** His seamless garment pressed, "I was born in a family which was not religious. Nor felt His tender human hand Even as a child I had yearnings for spiritual op- On us in blessing rest; portunities which I saw meant much in the lives of other people. When I was young my mother Yet still in crowded city streets died and my father placed me in the dormitory of The Christ goes forth again, the girls' school of the American Mission. Later my father died and I was left an orphan. Whenever touch of human hand Bespeaks goodwill to men. "In the school there was a Moslem girl who constantly kept asking me why I did not perform Whenever man his brother man the stated prayers and read the Koran and keep Upholds in helplessness; the fasts. I had never learned to do these things as I had not come from a f3mily that paid much Whenever strong and tender clasp attention to religion. We had Bible lessons in the A lonely heart doth bless, school, and this girl and I read these merely because we must, but we did not pay attention. As The Christ of God is answering time went on certain things in the New Testament A stricken world's demands And leading back a wandering race By touch of human hands.
New and Old in Moslem
ByA. T. UPSON, Rayleigh, England I !ie– I Author of "High Lights"; Former Secretary of the Nile Mission Press I D URING the thirty-seven happy strenuous as that?" Yes; but look at their surroundings in years spent among the Moslems of the Near which they have been reared. Most of the villages East, there were many signs that "The old there have two water-holes, one for humans, and order changeth, yielding place to new." During the other for cattle which they befoul as beasts the last few years, the pace has quickened and will do! But the village referred to has only one tendencies are now more clearly seen. water-hole for cattle and men!! Is it any wonder In recent years certain things have passed away. that typhoid fever is rampant there? Is there any We have great sympathy with the Eastern demand worse sanitary condition in any part of the world?
to abolish "Foreign Privileges." But as the East Yet the local people say that they absolutely refuse grows more nationalistic, what will be the fate of to come under the rule of Damascus, some eighty such encouraging meetings as one held in Iraq, miles off!
when about fifty men listened to an address on Opportunities Remain: The Nile Mission Press "Christ, the Ransomer by His Blood"? What colportage car still goes to the south of Algeria, would have been the fate of my oldest colporteur, and Miss Grautoff, of the Algiers Mission Band, Yaqub? * What would have happened to the seven still goes to an oasis 380 miles to the south to do converts from Islam in those days? Ere a dozen "men's work." The colporteurs in Egypt are still years are past, we shall be discussing "The Pass- plodding on. And in spite of the nationalism of ing of the Foreign Missionary" from all Moslem Iraq and Iran there is more receptivity among the lands. What a call to us to "Work while it is Shiah Moslems than in some lands.
called 'Today.' " Further, some new opportunities seem to be de- But Islam remains; in fact, is more active than veloping. For instance, the German Carmel Mis- sions hold an annual conference for Arab priests ever. In Egypt Islamic broadcasts are made, by of the Greek Church. For several years a wellradio, twice daily. For the first time, they have known Moslem convert has been greatly used of legalized preaching in the open-air, i. e., in the God there. squares of Cairo. But on what subject? The claims of Christ? Certainly not; Islam, and Faithful witnessing remains. Not only is it Islam only, is to be preached. Does one wonder true that "When God buries His workers He carthat the annual drift from the Coptic Church to ries on His work" but also, when political condi- Islam, which was 1,000 a year in my day, is now tions render it unwise for the foreigner to remain 1,500 a year? in a country God carries on His work. How? He has His 7,000 that "have not bowed the knee to Bigotry and Persecution Remain: The expulsion Baal." One still tours Lebanon and North Syria, of Dr. Liley from Tripoli, Barbary, and the half- and most Moslems know that he is a convert from dozen workers from Abyssinia are fresh in our Islam. There are other Moslem converts holding minds-perhaps because the victims were Euro- meetings in Egypt. peans. But what of the native believers in Morocco and other lands? Even in England, an over- A very remarkable testimony was, unwillingly, seas student refused recently to accept a copy of perhaps unconsciously, borne by a Moslem conthe New Testament because of persecution. vert, a former friend of mine. On leaving the Protestants, through marrying a Roman Catholic, Disease and Sin Remain: For the first time in and drifting into unbelief, he still watched us. In thirty-seven years' service, I was recently pelted 1931, when I went to Jerusalem, he wrote a fourwith clods of dirt in a Syrian village. I was not page article warning the people against me, and hurt, though hit with dust and earth about seven saying, "The reason this man (Abdul-Fady) is times, yet it was an uncomfortable experience. dangerous is that he belongs to a group of people The reader may ask, "Are they still as backward • His striking story is told in Mr. lipson's book. "High Lights in who never know when they are defeated, but just fight. on !" the Near East," 2/G )1. M. & S. London; $1.00 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, :lIich.
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Effective Ways of Working i 'fested Methods far Increasing Interest at Home I I s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=~====================~==-, Missions and World Peace readily available. For older The Far Eastern Crisis, by Henry Thus far only incidental ref- groups, for the wee~ly pra;v:er L. Stimson. Harper Brothers, $3.75. erence has been made in this Department to the third mission meeting, contests, ralbes, specIal A Place in the Sun, by Grover study theme for the current year -World Peace; but its great emphasis programs, contests, de- Clark. Macmillan Co., $2.~0. . importance needs no added em- We or They, by HamIlton FISh phasis in the .setti~g of the present world sItuatIOn; nor can bb aetset s~faadldl,r epsasneesl and, probably Armstrong. Macmillan, $1.50. any argument fo~ its fundam~n discussions in tal connection wIth the foreIgn Vital Peace, by Henry Wickham missionary enterprise be required when we consider the which a group seated on the Steed. Macmillan, $2.75. devas:tated properties and im- On the Rim of the Abyss, by James paired personnel in many. evan- rostrum converse informally gelical missions which It has T. Shotwell. Macmillan, $3.00. taken centuries to build up. after an opening lead by a chair- And We Are Civilized, by Wolf- Practically every denomination which has sent its new mission- mdiascn~sasinodn,, avoiding pro and con gang Ackerman Covici Frie?e, $2.50. ary literature to the Dep~rtment exploit various sides War-drawings and etchmgs, by Editor for inspection maJors the theme. Earnest preparation has of a subject previously well pre- Kerry Eby. Yale University Press, been made to implement the purposes and sentim~nts of ~he pared upon, in conyersational $2.V50ic. tories of Peace, by GI·11 and Christian Church m Ame~ICa. Pullen. Friendship Press, $1.00 and As the birthday of the Prmce style, the audience bemg all~w~d of Peace draws near, the time is 50¢W. orld Peace and Chns.t.H~n M.1~- particularly opportune to stress to participate after the tOPIC IS sions, by H. E. Fey. FrIendshIp the plans and literature. A few sample programs, alone, in our well opened-through an these Press, 35¢. pages would be quite inadequate to the need. Every church means inclusive of pastoral ser- Educating for Peace, by E. M. and should approach the considera- J. L. Lobengier. Pilgrim Press, $1.50. tion of the subject with broad, emnoends~npdulirnpeoss·eosf may be awakdeep preparation and plans laid activity mapped America Must Act, by F. B. Sayre, for a coordinated effort among Asst. Secretary of State. World all departments of activity, f~om out to make the world peace- Peace Foundation, 75¢. primary department of the BI?le school all the way through semor minded. Community rallies and Highways to International Good and adult organizations and in- Will, by Walter W. Van Kirk. Abingclusive of the pulpit. contests in speaking or essay don Press, 50¢.
For younger children we have writing are inva,luable and lend What Can Christians Do for already referred to "Ship East, Peace? by T. A. Green (syllab1!s ~or Ship West," by E. M. Lobengier themselves particularly to an en- church discussion groups). PIlgrim (Friendship Press, N. Y., or Press, 25¢. your own denominational litera- deavor whose motif must be ture bureau; $1.00 and 50c) , giving the choicest of stories and Christian Brotherhood and its facts on world peace; leaders among junior groups may wen method cooperative. For adults Write to the Foreign Policy Asmake this a starting point, following wit h other material a very effective plan is the circu- fsoorciatoitohn~r8 West 40th St., New York, special pamphlets. The lation of standard books on the subject, a regular church library Women's International League for being a worth-while investment Peace and Freedom, 1924 Chestnut of the Lord's money. It is a St., Philadelphia, Pa., and Th~ Na- cheap move to pass the responsi- tional League for the PreventlO~ of tWona,r' D5.32C1., 7 tahlsSo t . ,h aNv.e.W.th.,~,Wgarseha~mesgt- bility for the outlawing of war onto munitions makers, "capital- profusion of "ammullltlOn agamst ists" and that ambiguous group war, much of which the Editor has called "the moneyed interests." used or inspected and found well They have their part in the con- adapted to its purpose.
tinuation of the war game; but Your own publisher will doubtless be glad to order any they are at most only a symptom of the foregoing books for you.
of a much deeper malady in the heart of humanity-self-seek- PICTURES, STORIES, PLANS ienrhg~opdr.idTe haendfotlhloewliancgk of broth- Friends in Everyland-12 pictures listing of with story on back of each, 25¢.. available material is only p&.r- Never Again-group o~ elg~t tial but will at least pave the Everyland stories of world frlendsh.Ip way to a larger ~onsi<;lera~ion of and peace–printed and bound smt- the subject WhICh lIes m the ably for any library. 50¢ per copy.
very heart of Christ's mission: Suitable for gift book. .
Friends of All the W orId Series: Book 1~f for children eight or nine BOOKS years age, Children of Other oLfanadg~s, 85¢. Book 2, 10 to 11 years Why We Went to War, by Newton The Way of Friendship, 85¢. D. Baker. Harper Brothers, $1.50.
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EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Book 3, 13 years of age, Heroes of at the church (or otherwise) tion of women of Islam. The Friendship, 85¢. and invite the men to attend. 16mm. film rents for $1.25 and Make it "strong meat," not the 35mm. for $2.00. Friendship Paper Dolls-Four dolls wishy-washy sentiment such as eight inches high, like real children of does not appeal to "the breth- "Padre Sahib"-a new study Korea, China, Japan, India. Change ren." of the Moslem world, produced of costume for each doll, in three by William L. Rogers and wife, colors. 25¢. If you value the well-being of with advisory service from the your own children and those of Motion Picture Committee of Order foregoing from Women's Mis- others; if you would make our the Missionary Education Movesionary Society, United Lutheran country a shining example of ment (4 reels, 16mm., silent) is Church in America, 723 Muhlenberg the effort to live the peace a story of everyday missionary Building, Philadelphia, Pa. teachings of Jesus ChriJst; if life in northern India. It offers you would remove the greatest vivid insight into the problems Graded Foreign Mission Stories present obstacle to the pr.ogress and needs of all Christian mison Missions and W orId Peace. Bap- of foreign missions, do some- sionaries. The action of this tist Board of Education, 152 Madison thing at your earliest opportu- picture centers in a typical com.. Ave., New York, 15¢. nity and follow it up with more munity of Moslem Indians. A education and more practical Moslem woman rebels when her A Junior Teacher's Guide on proje,cts. husband brings home a new W orId Peace-projects and program wife, taking her small daughter, activities. Friendship Press, 25¢. Missions in Moving Pictures Zebada, whose eyes had been healed by the doctor. She seeks Children from Many Lands-post- The H arm 0 n Foundation refuge with the missionaries. ers of children of 10 countries with (with which the Religious Mo- Later action of the ,picture is appropriate verse for each. National tion Picture Foundation was concerned with the efforts of Council for Prevention of War (ad- merged) has among its declared Zebada's father to force the dress given above), $1.00. purposes: "To produce socially marriage with Karam Bege, to valuable motion pictures for whom he had betrothed her in Graphs, Program Materials, Illus- educational and church use" and return for 500 rupees. The trated Booklets and Discussion Mate- "to serve as a clearinghouse for action of this picture gives an, rial. Foreign Policy Association, 8 information on the most effec- opportunity to develop the daily W. 40th St., New York. Headline tive use of motion pictures and activities of the Christian misbooks, 25¢ each; program materials, other visual aids in church, edu- sionaries in this atmosphere. 15¢ each. cational and related fields." Its Rental, $4.00. Order all films, catalogue ~hows a most compre- as well as complete catalogue, Posters on World Peace–"The hensive library of silent films- from The Division of Visual Ex- Better Way," 24 x 36 inches; "Se- educational, dramatic, mission- periment, Harmon Foundation, curity Through Federation," 18 x 12 ary, on religion and life, life 140 Nassau St., New York. All inches. World Peaceways, 103 Park situations, social and economic the new films may be purchased Ave., New York, 5¢. studies, the arts, etc. The very in copy by church boards for use large list on "The World and Its in churches of their own de- American Posters on World Peace, Peoples" and "The Church in nomination, prices to be quoted five titles, size, 12 x 12 inches. Amer- Action" co ve r s missionary on request. ican Friends Service Committee, 20 themes. Those which the De- S. 12th St., Philadelphia, 10¢ each. partment Editor has used in Helpful New Literature s.chools of missions proved ex- English Posters on WorId Peace- cellent. They are usually made The Woman's Missionary Soover 30 titles, size, 22 x 30 inches in cooperation with missionary ciety of the Evangelical and Re- (imported by Friends Service Com- authorities, and each year lead- formed Church, 416 Schaff mittee) ; sets of 13, $1.50; each ers on the current foreign study Building, 1505 Race St., Philaposter, 15¢. themes are brought out. As delphia, Pa., has recently sent mentioned previously in this de- for inspection some leaflets and How Shape the Future for Peace? partment, "Islam in Egypt" fits pamphlets which will be helpful -excellent program analysis and the study of Mohammedans. It in any denomination. plan on page 13 of How Can We depicts the mysticism and Shape the Future?-a discussion learning of Mohammedanism in A stewardship packet containcourse for young people by Margaret Egypt, the intense loyalty of its ing a variety of leaflets: Holley Tuck, based on Basil Mathews' followers, its strong customs Shaping the Future. and laws of life. Exteriors and "What's in a Chance?" (leaflet interiors of various mosques are against gambling), 4¢. That's a Dream-similar plan and shown, the call to prayer is outline, page 10 of We Can Change given and "the faithful" shown "Alcohol Advertising Appraised," the World, for Women's Societies responding. The freedom of girls 4¢. and Senior World-wide Guilds, based in an Egyptian school is conon Mathews' Shaping the Future. trasted with the degraded posi- "What Price Repeal?" 5¢. "There Lies the Way," containing Both the foregoing to be ordered instructions for anti-war instructions from the Baptist Board of Education. for children, 6¢. These four Christian Citizenship PAGEANTS AND DRAMATIC leaflets sell as a packet at 15¢.
SKETCHES A Peace Program for Juniors, by Jane Gilbert. Baptist Board of Education, 5¢ each, or three for 10¢.
Send to The National Council for the Prevention of War (address already given) for a long, very complete list of pageants and plays on Peace, for children, young folks and adults. Write your own literature headquarters for many others we cannot list here.
It is suggested that each woman's society should prepare an especially worthful program inclusive of a convincing pageant, if possible; have a supper
"The Rainbow Pageant," a thank- grounds have few real contacts. When they arrived, we found offering service, 15¢. Our series of Public Nationality they had packed their car with Nights, intended to promote a treasures of silk, china, wool "For Such a Time as This," pag- world point of view, started embroideries, pottery, etc., for eant presenting the United Christian when we suddenly realized that which they had combed their Adult Movement, 10¢. though our denomination works congregations. We spread out among Hungarians in New York their beautiful things alongside "The Call of the Hills," play pre- and New Jersey, we knew noth- the collection from New York senting scene in mountain ca0in ing about them-actually less (which we had insured for one (mistakenly accredited in a former than of the Arabians and East day for $200). issue to the Lutherans), 5¢. Indians whom it serves far away. So we set about prepar- About 150 attended our Hun- Woman's Missionary Society ing a Hungarian evening. garian evening on a snowy of the Evangelical Church, Third night. The program came first, and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.: The Hungarian-American So- interspersed with readings and ciety, Radio Center, New York musical numbers, then our pas- "Men Discuss Missions," a heart- City, arranged to let us have a tor introduced the brother searching demonstration to be staged valuable display of embroideries clergymen, who brought greetby the best men of the church, 5¢. and other handwork. A leaflet ings from their churches. As a from them gave material for a thrilling close, all stood while "Leaven on Noisy Creek," a dia- brief reading on "The Hun- the little orchestra played the logue by two mountain women, 5¢. garian Love of Art." Etude, Hungarian anthem. Oct., 1930, and a bibliography Dramatic plan for Mother-Daughter from the Foreign Language In- Opportunity was given to view 1lanquet, 3¢. formation Service, 222 Fourth the remarkable exhibit of hand- Ave., New York, listing Na- work and to talk to the visitors. Story leaflet, "When the Prince of tional Geographies with articles So on 15-cent admission and 5- Peace Won," 3¢. on Hungary, provided data for cent cafeteria refreshments we another article on "The Hun- made friends and cultivated "Going Farther with the Master," garian Love of Music." Our friendly attitudes, and took in an excellent devotional series of 12 church board sent material for over $20.00; for, passing along leaflets, 15¢ per set. a third short paper on "Our the tables displaying the art Church and the Hungarians." works, one came naturally to a "They Also Wait," a mountain long table filled with cake, sandsketch in two acts and with 10 char- Local resources were used wiches and coffee and a cashier acters, 12¢. next. Two of our melPbers had at the end.-FLORENCE GORDON, their piano teacher give them Weehawken, N. J. "A Mountain Woman's Fight for Hungarian duets. An organiza- Life," a missionary pantomime, 15¢. tion of church singers, invited ("An Evening in Japan," by to prepare two numbers, chose "Suggestions for Creating Atmos- Lis z t 's "Liebestraum" and this same writer, will appear in phere in Program on Southern Brahms' "Around the Gypsies' an early issue.) Mountains": in Japan, in China, in Campfire." A young woman of Nigeria, West Africa, and among Hungarian descent agreed to How MISSIONARY INTEREST Italians in America, 5¢ each. teach the girls the national folk . BEGINS dance, the czardas, and a lovely The Baptist Board of Mission- folk song, "The Old Gypsies" One of the greatest givers of ary Education, 152 Madison (Marks Music Co., 225 W. 46th our generation was asked how it Ave., New York, has brought St., New York, victrola record happened that he made such out the following excellent pro- 20749, Arten Cigany). She sang large gifts to missions. "It grams and study outlines for the last verse in Hungarian. She didn't hap pen," he replied. adult and young people's< groups: also danced the czardas with the "When I was a boy my mother girls, wearing her picturesque taught me to give a part of every "The Way of a Witness," a Project costume in red and green, the dime and every dollar. The only Course in Personal Evangelism, by Hungarian colors. A local music thing that has happened is that Margaret Holley Tuck, based on "The school taught a small orchestra I have more dimes and more dol- Way of the Witnesses," 25¢. of its students a Brahms dance lars now!" and the national anthem. "How Can We Shape the Future?" Katherine Scherer C ron k -a Discussion Course, by Margaret Letters explaining the plan said: "We might say to the hosts Holley Tuck, based on "Shaping the were sent to the two Reformed of church members who are in- Future," 25¢. Hungarian pastors in another different to missions, 'How did county, with a request for infor- it happen that you took no in- "The Future of Missions," a Proj- mation about their congrega- terest in missionary work?' ·'It ect Course in World Evangelism, by tions. They offered to come per- didn't happen,' they might truth- Margaret Holley Tuck, based on sonally, bringing art objects fully reply. 'When we were chil- "Missions Tomorrow," 25¢. from the homes of their people. dren there was no missionary training in our Sunday school "We Can Change the World," five and no missionary society in our programs by Anna Canada Swain, church.' " based on "Shaping the Future," 15¢.
"Six Programs," by Dorothy A. Stevens, based on "Rebuilding Rural America," 15¢.
The following are for 'teen age young people: "Seein' Things," by Mabel A. Silke, 25¢.
"Hills and Veils," by Irene A. Jones and Mae Deal Shane, based on "Highland Heritage" and "The Young Moslem Looks at Life," 25¢.
Nationality Nights A HOME-FoREIGN PROJECT We live across the Hudson from cosmopolitan New York, in a polyglot community, but those of different national back- The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~,~~====~~~~~~~~~~====~=~~ Peace in Our Time militant nations in utter disre- zations participate,and the Na- gard of their commitments tional Peace Conference which God of the nations, near and far, through treaties and peace pacts, includes more than forty peace Ruler of all mankind, and at a time when the United societies and organizations with States is feeling its way toward departments of international re- Bless Thou Thy people as they strive a renewed sense of its responsi- lations, such as the Federal The paths of peace to find. bility to share in the world effort Council of Churches and the to prevent war as the only sure women's interdenominational The clash of arms still shades the sky, way to permanent peace, it is agencies. Thus a certain unity King battles still with king – well to remember that there are has been given to the peace organizations and groups of movement and a great force has Wild through the frighted air of night people who are actively engaged been created which should ul- The bloody tocsins ring. in building the peace movement timately, in spite of discourage- in this country and in trying ments and set-backs, lead the o Father! from the curse of war to find a way to banish war from people of our nation towards the the earth. goal of a warless world. We pray Thee give release, And speed, 0 speed the blessed day The churches are taking an in- New Materials for Peace Education Of justice, love and peace. creasingly active part in this 1. Marathon Round Tables -Presbyterian Hymnal. movement, condemning war as 1937-1938.
Compassionate Father, whose sin and utterly futile as a means The National Committee on eyes are in every place and the Cause and Cure of War has whose heart is burdened with to settle international disputes. prepared the following courses the sin and suffering of Thy chil- for use by those who wish to pardren, while we go forth in safety The organized women of the ticipate in Marathon Round and comfort to our work, we re- Table Discussion Groups: member our brethren in lands churches are also working for where war is bringing anguish Plan A-"United States and and poverty and pain and death. peace in ever increasing num- the World." God of justice, deal sternly with them who have drawn the sword, bers, and are making their in- This is the basic course for those and bring home the guilt and who wish to study world peace mafolly of violence. God of pity, fluence felt in their communities. chinery and the relation of American look in mercy on the helpless foreign policy to such world organivictims of strife and on them Believing war to be destructive zations. who are made to slay those against whom they have nothing. of all those forces which make Individual kits $.75. Make sensitive our consciences to Group kits $2.50. know ourselves involved in and for human brotherhood, and the responsible for a world where Plan B-"Adequate National greed of gain and lust for power bringing in of the Kingdom of Defense-What is it?" move us and our brothers in every land. By the shame and God, they are working to create This course considers national demisery of strife, lead us to re- fense in terms of moral, political, milipentance. By the persuasions of a public opinion opposed to war, tary and economic armaments, and the cross draw all men to the is linked up with the Campaign for more excellent way of love, and and in favor of peaceful methods World Economic Cooperation of the lead the nations in paths of National Peace Conference through righteousness for His name's to effect needful changes in in- the use of the Headline Book of the sake, who is the Prince of Peace. Foreign Policy Association "Peace- ternational relations. . ful Change-An Alternative to War," -Henry Sloane Coffin in which is the basic book for that cam- the Presbyterian Tribune. Church women find their place paign. Through the use of these in the peace movement through Marathon materials church groups Church Women in the Peace their connection with the Council will be cooperating not only with the Movement of Women for Home Missions, National Committee on the Cause and Cure of War, but with the Na- In these days of "undeclared the Woman's Committee of the tional Peace Conference' Campaign wars" and acts of aggression by Foreign Missions Conference, and the National Council of Fed- erated Church Women, all of which have departments, or com- mittees of international rela- tions, and through these repre- sent church women in certain of the national peace organizations. Most important among these are the National Committee on the Cause and Cure of War in which eleven women's national organi- [ 603 ] for World Economic Cooperation, and State, to acquaint church people people throughout Europe and it is hoped that great many of these Marathon Round Tables will be with the struggle through which Asia who are working together formed this year by churches, clubs, and community peace groups. their brothers are passing and for peace. The World Alliance its relation to international re- for International Friendship Individual kit '$1.00. lations. Price 40 cents, Foreign through the Churches is a mem- Group kit $3.50. Policy Association, 8 West 40th ber of the American Committee Write for further information Street, New York. and the Council of Women for to the Council of Women for The International Peace Home Missions has also signi- Home Missions, or to the Na- fied its intention of joining in Campaign tional Committee on the Cause this movement believing that the and Cure of War, 70 East 45th In the year that has inter- work for peace should be world- Street, New York City. vened since the Brussels Con- wide and that there is strength in uniting with the people of 2. "Peace in These Times," is gress when the International the title of a series of four pro- Peace Campaign was organized, other nations in this great cause. grams of worship and discus- many of the countries of the sion on the causes of war and From time to time the women the way to peace published by world have, through their peace of the churches will hear of the the Presbyterian Board of Chris- organizations, joined in this work of the International Peace tian Education, Philadelphia, movement, and today there is Pa. The four programs, "Jesus, a t r u I y international peace Campaign and those who are in- Christians and War" ; "The movement, which through Peace terested in keeping in touch with Way to Peace"; "Nationalism VB. rallies, National Peace Con- it may subscribe to the bulletin Patriotism" ; and "What Can gresses, and public meetings of sent from Geneva every few Christians Do?" are intended to many kinds, is trying to bring weeks to tell of the work being arouse church people to a will to peace and a determination to pressure upon governments in done in all the countries where work for peace, and may be used the International Peace Camas the basis for group discussion, favor of peace; believing that if paign is functioning. Write to or as four consecutive programs the people of the world unite for meetings of church groups, for peace no ~overnment will the International Peace Cammen or women. They are espe- dare to lead a nation into war. paign, Palais Wilson, Geneva, cially good for a Woman's Mis- Switzerland. The subscription sionary Society. Price 25 cents. Weakened by the absence of the rate is three Swiss francs. peace societies of Italy and Ger- 3. Another new set of pro- many, the people of the other At this Christmas season there is fighting and death by violence countries of Europe where the in China, Spain, Ethiopia and International Peace Campaign is strongest, are nevertheless work- perhaps other places, and men of goodwill seem powerless to grams is that published by the ing together for peace by col- stem the tide of hate and selfish- Council of Social Action, 289 lective action ana are a mighty ness which lead to war. Yet Fourth Avenue, New York City, force in building public opinion millions of men and women hate under the title "World Peace." in their respective nations. The war and are working for peace, This is a packet containing a churches have a leading part in and have faith enough to bestudy outline, a Worship Service, this movement, bringing the in- lieve that eventually goodwill pamphlets and reprints, among fluence of the Church to bear up- will triumph and international these being "Five Sectors .of the on this problem. justice put to an end some of Peace Movement" by Fosdick, In the United S tat e san the "sore spots" which lead to an article on "Neutrality or Col- American Committee to cooper- war. lective Security" and one on ate with the International Peace The women of the churches in local Peace Councils. T his Campaign has been formed. This missionary societies and in other packet is arranged for church Committee consists of those or- church organizations, believing groups, men or women. Price, ganizations which favor inter- as they do in human brotherhood 25 cents, plus postage. national cooperation to prevent and in goodwill between men and 4. Of special i n t ere s t to war and believe that the United women of all nations, all of church members is one of the States should participate in such whom are equally children of headline books of the Foreign international efforts within the God, the Father, gladly share in PolicyAssociation called "Church limits of its commitments under this work for peace with their and State" with the Study the Kellogg Pact, and that the brothers and sisters in other Course which accompanies it. four principles adopted as the lands, and pray with them for For those who are concerned program for the International the realization on earth of the wit h the situation i nth e Peace Campaign must be inter- Christmas message: "On Earth churches of Europe in such preted in the United States in Peace, Goodwill to Men." . -Elinor K. Purves.* countries as Germany, Italy, the light of our national policies.
Spain, and Russia, this study has The American Committe is plan- • This Bulletin has heen prepared by Mlsb Elinor K. Purves, Chairman, Cooperating great value. It is written in col- ning to enter into such activities laboration with some of the as may fit into the American Committee on International Relations for the leaders at the Oxford Confer- peace program and thus to join Committee on Women's Work of the Foreign Missions Conference, the National Council ence on Church, Community and hands with the thousands of of Federated Church Women, and the Council of Women for Home Missious.
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L= = =O= u-= 1=E=:;=~=·s =:~=:=~=R;=.:=~=d=~ =:=st;w=: =e=~ =of=G~=~=~=,?=x~=~=;~=:=o~=}=~O=ts=o=k= = = I~ EUROPE the Roman Catholics, 10 per Bible Society is gIvmg aid to- cent, out of a population of about wards the translation, printing Bible Reading in France 1,000,000. and circulation of the transla- tion. A hymn book in the ver- The Societe Centrale Evan- Protestant w 0 r k is repre- nacular is also being compiled. gelique reports 17,527 Protes- sented by a small Evangelical mission at Kortcha. Its particu- -The Christian. ro tants in its various preaching lar work of preaching, Sunday schools, circulation of the Scrip- AFRICA centers, a 15 increase over tures and religious literature en- 1935. joys the benevolent regard of Southern nlorocco the authorities. The mission, It is interesting to note that however, has no legal status. Someone has said that to offer when M. Chasles, a Roman Cath- Albania recognizes that national the Gospel to a Mohammedan is olic, an archivist and well-known stability and progress is best as- "to ask the proudest man in the scholar, paid a chance visit to a sured by granting wide liberty world to accept something he small Protestant chapel in Paris, for religious instruction and hates from someone he dehe gained such an interest in the helpful spiritual influence to spises." In the face of such op- Bible that he wrote a book, The youth. The immediate strength- position as this, workers in the Bible for Catholics, which has ening of evangelical work is now Southern Morocco Mission have had a wide circulation. He has possible, if the men and the proclaimed the Gospel for fifty also been lecturing at the Sar- means are available. years. bonne on the Bible, and earnestly recommends the reading of -World D.ominion Press. Morocco – 0 n I y three-and-a the Bible to his large audiences. half days' journey from England "Remnants" in Eastern Europe -used to be a Christian land, The Bible in Germany but is now in the firm grip of Protestants have a constant Islam. It is peopled by those The conflict between Chris- struggle to maintain Evangeli- who pride themselves that their tianity and Nazism goes on, with cal work against the fanatical religion wiped out Christianity. more church leaders arrested foes of all religion on the one An encouraging sign of progress from time to time. For over six hand, and unfriendly govern- today is the eagerness of the months in 1936 the colportage ments on the other. Lutheran children to. learn to read and of all religious literature, includ- and Reformed are minority write. The wo.rk of the missio.n ing Bibles, was forbidden, the groups, in some countries "rem- centers in boys' classes, a book secret police giving as the reason nants," often desperately poor; shop and preaching in Moroccan that communLsts, under cover of but they are not only holding market places. selling religious books, were dis- their own, they are winning contributing their propagandist ma- verts by thousands, notably in -Life of Faith. terial. Only in parts of the coun- the Ukraine (Southern Poland), try where the prohibition was Austria and Czechoslovakia. A Step Toward Temperance not strictly enforced were col- Most of the people are simpleporters able to continue more or hearted, unlettered land work- In South Africa a British less their usual activities. Yet ers, scattered thinly over the Commission has ordered that in spite of this, and the growing country. 202 of the 220 saloons be closed propaganda against the Bible in in Mcordance with the Liquor the press, the total number of The greatest need is for com- Act of 1928, a measure which copies circulated by the British petent leadership. The Central provided that after ten years the and Foreign Bible Society col- European Bur e a u of Inter- licenses of no saloons were to be porters, was considerably higher Church Aid, an <ecumenical com- renewed unless they had been than in the previous year. mittee of which Dr. Adolph Kel- converted into restaurants or -W.orld Dominion Movement. ler, of Geneva, is secretary, is hotels. Few have been so con- doing much to organize the con- verted. Unfortunately, the legis- Opportunity in Albania verts and provide such leader- lation allows them to continue as ship. A prime need is to provide wine and malt houses. Never- In Albania Moslems consti- a Bible in the Ukraine vernacu- theless, the closing of such places tute 70 per cent of the people; lar and the British and Foreign to the sale of whiskey and next come the Orthodox, num- brandy is regarded as a step tobering 20 per cent, and lastly [605 )
ward temperance. Church and gathered to watch something.en- Christians there; they were all social organizations are hailing tirely foreign to them-the BISh- outside, having given up their the move with satisfaction. op laying the cornerstone. The places in the chapel to t~eir ground plan of the church was friends, so that the latter mIght -Alliance Weekly and Chris- drawn with the help of a Nuba hear the words of life. Already, tian Advocate. Sheikh, whose workmen dug the more than 20,000 have signified foundation. In the evening, aft- their wish to become Christians. Sunday Schools in South Africa er the laying of the cornstone, The next problem is to train a mud wall had been built, about them in Christian living. More than half the total in- two feet high. The walls grew crease in the membership of the daily; they were molded in red Spanish Guinea Is Quiet world's Sunday schools has been mud one day, the workers patin Africa. In the Union of South ting the mud gently with stones Moorish troops have gone AEufrroicpa~anse,sptehceiaSlluyndaamy osnchgootlhies to prevent cracks. When the from Spanish Guinea, since a live and progressive institu- walls were finished a special pol~ there is nobody left to kill! Comtion. This is one of the reasons ish consisting of a thin layer of munication with Spain has been why South Africa has been mu'd rubbed with a wild nut, reopened; Spanish steamers chosen for the next World's Sun- was applied. come and go, but business is day School Convention. practically at a standstill. . "Meantime, arches for the The Wayside Sunday school roof were being made. Some The attitude of the authOrIhas grown tremendously during brought grass for thatching; ties to the Evangelical missionthe past two years, and reaches others long poles on which to aries is favorable. There is no thousands of children who would rest the arches, and still others official frowning upon the 35 otherwise be outside the influ- made palm leaf ropes to tie the catechetical schools, as the Govence of the Church. It is esti- roof. The old men hacked long ernment thinks that results simmated there are 2,250,000 chil- tree trunks into seats, these to ilar to those in the Cameroun, dren in South Africa who do not rest on mud pillars a foot high. where missions have produced attend Sunday school, largely Ninety people can be seated." thousands of literates, will be because of the distance to the The church was dedicated with desirable in Spanish Guinea. nearest church. these words: The centenary of the Mission -South African Outl.ook. "We here dedicate to the glory of Evangelica de Guinea Espanola God this building, to be called 'The is being celebrated by a joint Italy Controls Ethiopian Church of Christ, the Good Shep- campaign of the mission and the Church herd,' to the extension of His King- Native Church to win 15,000 na- dom to be the place where the Sacra- tives to Christ. Three months The Italians have announced ments are administered, and to be the were spent in preparation and that the Coptic Christian Church House of Prayer for all the peoples of prayer. During the succeeding of Ethiopia i.s no longer under these hills, in the Name of the Father, three months 11,000 men and the control of the Coptic Patri- and of the Son, and of the Holy women turned to Christ. Nine archy at Alexandria, Egypt. Ghost." new communities have been sup- plied with evangelists in the past Corrado Zoli, former gover- -C. M. S. Outl.ook. two months, who are fully supnor of Eritrea, announced that ported by the native church. bishops of key cities of Ethiopia, A Worthy Centennial Goal such as Addis Ababa and Ak- -World Dominion Press. sum, will either be named by the African Christians in the Coptic Church of Ethiopia and Cameroun are out to win 15,000 Self-Support in Africa confirmed by the Italian Govern- new believers as their contribument, or be named directly by tion to the centennial observance There is a steady movement the Government. The announce- of the Presbyterian Board. In toward self-support in the Afriment further stated that it is some of the village chapels, can churches. The Methodist possible that the right to crown writes Dr. W. C. Johnston, sec- Church of South Africa is now the Emperor of Ethiopia will be retary of the Mission, the Chris- independent, so also is the Bapgiven to the Roman Catho~ic tians have given up the long an- tist Church. The Bantu Pres- Apostolic delegate to Add 1.s ticipated privilege of hearing byterian Church is moving in the Ababa instead of the Coptic visiting evangelists and mission- same direction. Last year the Bishops of Addis Ababa and Ak- aries and sit outside after bring- Dutch Reformed Church consum. ing their non-Christian friends tributed over £96,000 for mis- to the gathering. At the close sions, and its mission churches -The Living Church. of one meeting, the missionary and native Christians raised asked Christians to leave,- so £20,000 and £2,375 respectively. First Nuba Mountain Church that he could talk further spe- It is making every effort toward cially to the non-Christians. No reviving family worship. Illit- Pioneer Christians i nth e one moved. He repeated his re- eracy is the outstanding hin- Nuba mountains have completed quest, urging the Christians to drance to Christian work. their first church building. withdraw. Then someone ex- plained that there were no -World DominIon Movement. "A group of interested Nubas
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Sunday School Convention- lend a hand to. uplift their peD- in the CDurse Df the wsaeyrvitche~ 1940 pIe. -World D01ninion Press. shDwing in a striking Great inter&<;t ,is manifest in u.nity and diversity Df Chris- eastern and sDuthern Africa in New Clinic in Baghdad tIans. The invDcatiDn was given the prDspect Df having the One might suppose tahanwD6~0a0n0 in English, the language Df the patients wDuld keep WDrld's Sunday SChDDI AssDcia- ch.ief missiDnary sending CDun- tiDn meet at Durban in 1940. doctDr busy enDugh, but Dr. trIes, and Df the cDuntry giving Durban's climatic gactDutnarvarecantniitDeenne~eDisft·s~ Abushadid Df Baghdad is ask- the. invitatiDn to. this service. accessibility and ISaI~h.53d was read by a Jewish also. the financial ing fDr mDre by Dpening a clinic ChrIstIan elder in ancient He- fDr WDmen and children. brew, the tDngue in which Dur fered by its mayDr all pDinted to. Dr. Abushadid is a graduate Maste~ must have read and pDnthe wisdDm Df the choice. Df the Presbyterian MissiDn dered It. Prayer was Dffered in FollDwing the precedent set SChDDI in Beirut, and was asked Syriac, by an Assyrian elder in fDrmer wDrld hacvDenvaepnptriDDxnis~ by the Iraq GDvernment to. Dr- SDuth Africa will Syriac being the nearest living ganize health wDrk fDr WDmen language to. the tDngue in which mately fifty per cent representa- ~nd gi.r1s in that cDuntry. Start- Jesus spDke and in which he tiDn in the cDnventiDn, the Dther mg wIth the six thDusand girls prayed. A passage frDm 1 CDr. fifty per cent cDming frDm Dther in the public SChDDls, she is de- 12 was read in Armen itahn~ this parts Df the wDrld. It is esti- velDping the wDrk still farther language being that Df first mated there will be 2,500 dele- in the recently Dpened clinic. In natiDn in histDry to. becDme a gates. PrDbably Africa will have the SChDDI Df HDme ECDnDmics Christian natiDn; and finally, mDre representatives in this she gives her students practical prayer was Dffered icnDuIrnatnryiain~ the. language Df .the wDrld gathering than have been experience in the care Df chil- fDund in any similar wDrld CDn- dren by cDnducting a nursery WhICh the meetmg was being clave in previDus years. where the girls are respDnsible held, a cDuntry that is learning fDr the day and night care Df a to. sing His praises.
WESTERN ASIA number Df babies; thus carrying Educational Project in Syria DUt the traditiDn Df the SChDDI. Arabia's Slaves To. prDmDte a cDnsDlidated Peace Pact in Near East A recent repDrt ShDWS that plan Df educatiDn in Syria, plans aTe under way fDr the Drganiza- Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Af- Arabia has at least a milliDn and tIDn Df the Evangelical CDllege Df Aleppo., Syria, a jDint prDject ghanistan, in a dDcument Df ten a half slaves. A large prDpDr- Df the American BDard and Presb~terian MissiDns, and the Sy- articles, have undertaken to. keep tiDn Df this number came frDm rIan and Armenian Churches. It is hDped the SChDDI will be- peace amDng themselves and to. the Sudan and Abyssinia. CDme indigenDus, making bDth suppDrt and administratiDn the assist Dne anDther in all matters Slaves are Dpenly bDught and respDnsibility Df the IDcal Christian grDUps. ?f cDI?mDn interest. The pact sDld, the markets fDr WDmen Df IS ~ahd fDr five years, a periDd beauty being specially cDnducted WhICh may be renewed indefi- and develDped. A recent edict ni~ely, and it will be registered Df Ibn SaDud, king Df Saudi wIth the League Df NatiDns. Arabia, fDrbids the impDrtatiDn The pact dDubtless is a respDnse of slaves by sea, and even by to. movements tDward wider lib- land, unless it is proved that the erty, mDre religiDus tDlerance impDrtee is al read yslaavesslaavre~ Children bDrn Future of Transjordan and general prDgress. I ran Df If the partitiDn Df Palestine is might be called the key to. the themselves slaves. ~arried into. effect by the Brit- Ish GDvernment, TransjDrdan arch which suppDrts the MDS- -Christian Century. ,,:ill c 0. m e into. prDmmence. Smce 1921 the cDuntry has made lem edifice in the rMeaidl drleeliEgiaDsUt~· INDIA, BURMA, SIAM rapid prDgress, and the Dfficial yet there is mDre attitude to. missiDnaries, dDctDrs Missionaries Not Wanted? and educatDrs has been unifDrm- liberty in Iran at the present ly appreciative. The Arab GDV- A new regime in India seems ernment has Dffered generDus mDment than in any Df its neigh- certain to. affect missionary financial help to. rebuild the hDS- wDrk there, according to. a World pita;l Df the Church Miss,iDnary bDring cDuntries. A MDslem in Dominion bulletin. A reformed SDcIety at Es-Salt, and will give Hindu paper, the Arya Samaj it a free hand. Iran may becDme a Christian recently issued a statement that India dDes nDt want Christian . MDslems send their bDYS and nDt Dnly wthitehDuuntcshuafnfgeeridngMDdselaeth~ missiDnaries any mDre. It adgIrlS to. the missiDn SChDDls at which is mits the present prDgress Df Amman, and the gDDdwill of the Christianity and declares that Emir and his cDunsellDrs can be law, b1;'t t~e civil pDwe~ will prD- the strDng religiDus fervDr Df cDunted upDn by all who. will the missiDnary is the mDst im- tect hIm m the exerCIse Df his pDrtant Df the variDus reaSDns for his success. It laments the individual liberty Df cDnscience.
-World Dominion Press.
One In Christ-Iran At the wDrld-wide cDmmuniDn service held in Hamadan last year, five languages were used
materialism of many Hindus, ary women, "we'll use our own school and have made it more and appeals for a new realiza- houses as classrooms. If there's worthy of the church. tjon of the Hindu faith. no money to spare for teachers, VVorkers in Karachi are con- we'll do the teaching ourselves. vinced that bazaar preaching is If there's no dormitory for the a real test of a church's life. Changes in 20 Years women they can fit into the girls' boarding school somewhere." So Thirty-five I n d ian student the school has begun: a two- Usually, crowds are so interested teachers were recently asked year course for training village they refuse to disperse. Last what noteworthy changes had women in home making, child year fifty non..:Christians were taken place in South India in care and Christian living. baptized, in contrast to the one the past twenty years. The first or two baptized four years ago.
eight changes which follow are -C. M. S. Outlook.
arranged in the order of the An Answered Call Indian Preachers' Conference strength of the vote; caste dis- Anglican church funds, on betinctions are disappearing; un- half of Mass Movement work, In an effort to encourage pertouchability is being rapidly dis- will be used first to send teach- sonal testimony and more dy- ers to villages that have been namic preaching, a "Preachers' carded; child marriages are de- begging for them; next to procreasing; female education is vide for the intensive training Conference" was held at Bareilextending; co-education is be- of volunteers and others to equip ly, in September. Two groups coming more common; the pub- them to deal with new inquirers. were invited-a large group of A third item will be to provide lic is taking much more interest houses for pastors and teachers, pastors from the main pulpits in education; the demand for and help towards the erection and a small group of good home rule is more widespread of headquarters' churches; a preachers. Each day there were .and insistent; work for rural fourth item is the extension of reconstruction is multiplying; medical service. two sermons in Hindustani and one in English, as well as a epidemics are being mastered; Great care will be taken to round-table dis c u s s ion on Indians are replacing British of- avoid using this money to build preaching. Thus by example up work which could not be ficials ; India has come into the maintained by the Indian church and precept something definite bicycle-bus age; Gandhi cannot in the future. was done in inspiring and instop the whirl of machinery; houses are improving; women -C. M. S. Outlook. structing preachers. In order are entering public life; person- that the results of the confer- al habits are changing; the ence may be available to those Christian community is steadily who could not attend, and be preserved for future reference, growing and taking much more· it is planned to issue a printed responsibility; and socialism Opportunities in Sind report, incorporating a synopsis and communism are spreading. of each sermon and a gist of each Last year was memorable in statement made in the discus- -World Youth. the history of Sind, not only in sion.-Bishop B. T. Badley.
School for Home Builders that it became a province but Progress in Toungoo that the Christian Church scored At Toungoo, Burma, the out- "The case for village girls is advance. Money was raised by standing piece of work for the hopeless," bluntly said a student sacrificial giving for an enlarged year was a Daily Vacation Bible in the missionary's Bible class and beautified church. school in the village of Kelinsait. An old Christian living in that in Allahabad, India. Unques- The greatest advance is in the village had a son and three tionably, village houses were un- fact that the Karachi congrega- daughters who had attended the sanitary; there was too much tion of the Church of England mission school at Toungoo. They asked the mission to open a vacajewelry and too little water; Mission has accepted responsi- tion school there and gave all the support they could. As a result there was sickness, unbalanced bility for the maintenance of all five people were baptized at the close of the school, and five more feeding of the household even the evangelistic work at present acknowledged their faith during the services at Christmas. VVithwhen poverty did not preclude being undertaken in the district. in nine months this village has variety; there was quarreling, Members of the pastor's commit- indecent talk, and a stolid indif- tee have taken a keen interest ference to conditions. Such was in the leper asylum at Mango the background against which Pir, twelve miles from Karachi, missionary wives at Allahabad and for three years have visited Agricultural Institute h a v e it regularly, preached to the pa- started a school for village home- tients, and shown their love in makers. No such school exists many practical ways. Others gained ten Christians, and Qthin the United Provinces. Neither have gone in the evenings to the ers are convinced of the truth of building, money nor staff is many quarters in the city where Christianity. available. But the school has the poorer Christians live, and Much of the credit for this bebegun. "If we can't find a corner have taken part in regular serv- longs to two Christian Burmans, in the Institute classrooms and ices for them. Others have be- a preacher and a Bible woman. laboratories," said the mission- gun to teach in the Sunday – Watchman-Examiner.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
New Bible School in Siam operation at Pitsanuloke. A Nearly seventy per cent of the Five-Year Plan of Advance has men who are now determining The need for native evangel- been adopted. -Siam Outlook. the policies of modern China are graduates of Christian colists in East Siam has been keen- OHINA leges. ly felt for some time. Accordingly, a Siamese Bible School was Progress in Ohina Education is one of the chief established last year in Korat. aims of the present government, A group of six men and one When I went to China fifty which has accepted the responsiwoman comprised the first class. years ago the period of early bility of providing universal ele- The beginnings were neither seed-sowing had not entirely mentary education for 70,000 sensational nor pretentious. passed away. The difficulties children. This, however, is bare- Lacking a class room, students were numerous and visible re- ly one-tenth of the school-age suits were few. The people were population. met under the missionary's still conservative and did not home. There were no dormitory welcome new ideas. But the pe- About fifteen per cent of the accommodations, s 0 students riod of sowing produced great higher education in China is had to be quartered in various results. The Church in China handled by Christian colleges places about town. These ar- has not grown and is exerting and professional schools. Nine rangements were inconvenient every effort to become self-reli- per cent of the college students, ant. It is willing to assume re- and twenty-four per cent of the and far from satisfactory; but sponsibility and desires to in- professional students a t ten d a very profitable seven months crease the Chinese ministry. Christian institutions. of study were passed together. There are Christian congrega- tions of one thousand people -Christian Advocate. This project is an outgrowtH. that are entirely self-supporting. Oommunion Under Difficulties of the keynote "Go Forward," -F. L. Haws Pott, St. John's University, Shanghai. The Rev. David S. Tappan, of adopted at the Siamese Regional the American Presbyterian Mis- Mission Situation sion in Hainan, tells of a com- Conference. -The Call. munion service in the mountains. Most of the missions in China Faith with Works expect to car r y forward as "To prepare the communion much of the work as can be help- elements we were at our wits' Three years ago the Church fully continued. Missionaries, end. There stood the crude taof Christ in Siam was organized. especially men, will remain at ble but for a cover all they could Ninety-nine and a half per cent their posts so long as they can find was bed drapes not yet used; of the Siamese Christians had serve those in distress. The no cups but some made for wine no real idea what it was all Boards at home will accord them and used in heathen idol worabout, but those who did com- a large degree of discretion, and s.hip. Pastor Wu pointed out the prehend the significance of it in case of danger they may with- verse in 1 Cor. 10: 21: 'Ye canhad faith and were ready to back draw to safety. not drink the cup of the Lord it up with works. The church and the cup of devils,' and apconstitution was two years in The Presbyterian Board au- plied it instantly. But when it the making. thorizes the withdrawal from was proved the cups had not yet danger zones of aged and in- been used in idol worship, they An outstanding move of 1936 firm missionaries, of mothers were accepted. was the appointment of a Re- with children, and of all those vival Committee of two, whose not suited to serve under hard- "No tray for the cups, so a mission it was to visit as many ships that may be inescapable. huge wicker sieve used for siftas possible of the churches, to The· China Council and the mis- ing rice was brought in. No hold meetings and stimulate sion executive committees are bread, so the missionary took Christian life and activity. The expected to make wise allocation some of his supply of twice American Bible Society paid the of the reduced personnel. toasted bread from his lunch expenses of a third member of (fresh bread would have been this committee. Stewardship Evacuated and furloughed mildewed in the dampness). No was their major theme. The re- missionaries, prevented from re- grape juice, so a tin of Amerisults were astonishing. Tithing turning to China, will be used can orange juice, also from his was started or increased in many to strengthen temporarily the lunch, was stirred full of native communities, and the spiritual understaffed missions in neigh- brown sugar and answered the life of many individuals was boring countries until they can purpose. greatly stimulated. return to their own fields. "Nearly one hundred moun- . A second advance step has Educational Missions tain folk caught a glimpse of been the adoption of Pitsanuloke their Lord that day, and some- Station by the first General As- Fifty-one per cent of all the how I feel that He was as much sembly as its own project under Chinese college graduates listed at home at that table as at any a wholly national staff. The in the Chinese Who's Who are communions in America with Church in Siam has also as- products of Christian colleges. their perfect appointments." sumed full responsibility for the work of the Charles T. Santvoord Hospital for three years on a contract similar to that in
Chinese Medical Association of the vast Buddhist and Shinto for one month, and 405 women constituencies. for two and a half months. At The Chinese Medical Associ- Pyengyang Institute, 80 men enation was formerly made up al- Salvation Army Rift rolled for nine months' study. most entirely of foreigners, but The Presbyterian Theological as fast as Chinese doctors be- A rift in the Army has become Seminary also reports one of the came qualified they were ad- an open break. A group of offi- largest first-year classes in its mitted. Now the percentage of cers, representing the younger history. Two young men have Chinese members is very large. leaders, but themselves men of been commissioned as foreign At the last conference about 70 mature age and rank, demanded missionaries; one is laboring in per cent of the 900 attending drastic changes in the Japanese Shantung, and the other in Manwere Chinese, states Dr. John organization. The revolt is defi- chukuo among Chinese and Chi- E. Lenox of Chengtu, West nitely a nationalist movement, nese-speaking peoples. China. protesting against what is al- leged to be a condition of sub- A Korean named Chang, who, JAPAN-CHOSEN servience to the control of the as a boy of 12 watched crew and foreign headquarters, and com- passengers of the steamer Gen- Masses Want Peace mand in London. It is also a eral Sherman struggle out of protest against the Salvation the water, only to be beaten to S. Hirakawa of Tokyo, speak- Army's military organiz'ation, death by the mob, is now an old ing recently before the Friends' with its uniform, its army ter- man over 80. Last year he stood World Conference in Philadel- minology and its dictatorial sys- QY the same Pyengyang River phia, declared that 90 per cent tem. Also it is a demand for and showed to one of the secreof the Japanese are opposed to more emphasis upon the reli- taries of the British and Foreign the war with China. The pres- gious aspects of the work, and Bible Society the place where ent invasion is motivated by a less upon the social and relief one of the passengers, Mr. militaristic clique which is try- phases. The recalcitrant officers Thomas, a colporteur of the Naing to protect the Manchoukuo have been dismissed or have tional Bible Society of Scotland, venture, an experiment that has wit h d raw n, and have now threw to the crowd copies of "a thus far proved a colossal fail- formed one more Christian de- red-bound book"-the New Tesure. Japan is spending much nomination, the "Japan Gospel tament in Korean. He also more money in Manchoukuo Evangelistic Association," mod- showed him a beautiful Thomas than she is getting out of it. eled after the two branches of Memorial Chapel, marking the Another speaker, R. Yamano, the Holiness Church. place of martyrdom and told said that the only place in which how, in his own lifetime, there desires for peace may be pub- -Christian Century. had sprung up a Christian comlished is in the Christian denom- munity of over 260,000 with inational press. Remember the Frogs 4,200 places of worship.
-Christian Adv.ocate. A solemn service in commem- -World Dominion Move- oration of the sacrifice of 100,000 ment. Conditions in Japan frogs which had been used in the past year in biological and ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC A correspondent from Japan anatomical experiments, was says that the absence of civilian held in Tokyo in July. Sixty Spiritual Currents in Java hatred is one mitigating feature professors from Keio University of the grievous war situation. participated and a monument According to the Evangelical Chinese by thousands are still representing two bullfrogs in News Bureau of Holland, three living in Japan and going about stone, with a tribute to frogdom outside factors have influenced their work unmolested and in in general, was unveiled. ·The the spiritual currents in Java in perfect safety. According to a service was held in a Buddhist the last decade: first, the awakrecent report not more than cloister with much incense and ening in Eastern Asia after the 6,000 out of the 30,000 living in beating of gongs. Japanese victory over Russia, Japan have yet returned to and the national-cultural inde- China. By way of contrast the British pendence efforts in B r i tis h and Foreign Bible Society have India; second, the influence of But the dilemma of a Chris- celebrated the translation of the politico-religious movements tian Church in a country at war Scripture into the one thou- in Egypt, Arabia and British is pressing with peculiar inten- sandth tongue, a feat that out- India, seen in the existence and sity upon the Christians. Insig- does anything any single uni- development of trade societies nificant in numbers, and with versity has done. that have become more political the onus of a long inherited sus- organizations; and third the picion of disloyalty still bitterly -So S. Times. influence of communism. Ever held by many people, the Chris- since 1917, the comintern has tian movement now for the first Bible Reading Koreans striven to connect the classtime in a national crisis finds its struggle with the nationalist leaders called in council on equal Bible Institutes are popular movement in the East. Its revoterms with the representatives in Chosen. At Chai-Ryung last winter, 455 men were enrolled
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
lutionary propaganda activity mission spheres and the need for many needy, and the clinic was first reached Java via the na- an adVisory committee to work crowded each day. tive students' union in Holland. toward closer cooperation of Vigorous action on the part of government, churches and mis- Congregational Work Grows the government during the last sionaries. It is hoped that a four years has largely put a stop policy may be adopted broad The American Board reports to this undermining force. enough to cover the different a very successful conference of conditions in the various states workers in Dansalan, Mindanao, The attitude of missions to- on the protection and control of P. 1. There were 130 delegates. wards these spiritual currents the nomadic tribes, their grad- Much time was given to prayer, cannot be merely that of an in- ual development and restoration meditation and praise. In the terested spectator. They will of racial pride and confidence, business sessions much attenhave to deal with the great com- the uplIfting of the half-caste, tion was paid to the extension pleXIty ot moral quesdons wich the suppression of abuses and of the Kingdom in unoccupied which the people of Java have "CO protection from exploitation. areas. A real Home Mission wrestle in these days by preach- program was adopted. Statising the Gospel of God's King- -Anti-Slavery Reporter. tics revealed marvelous growth dom. during 1936. Twenty years ago Education in the Philippines there were three congregations Character of the Papuans and two Sunday schools in Bishop Mosher of the Philip- other places. Today, the North The Evangelical News Bureau pine Islands, who attended the Coast Conference alone has 48 in Holland says there are two ~piscopal General Convention churches and chapels and gave opinions about the Papuans of in Cincinnati, said: $5,500 for the work of the Dutch New Guinea. One is that Church. In all three conferthey are heartless, cruel and Now that the Philippines are inde- ences of Mindanao about 1,000 murderous; the other, that they pendent, they need an army and must new members have been added are good, friendly and even get the money for it somehow. It is education that will pay the price.
pleasant people; those who know The government has closed the 5th, to the churches. them best agree with both opin- 6th and 7th grades in the public ions. The Papuan has really scho lIs. This throws out great num- Filipino Evangelical Strength two sides to his character. One bers of boys and girls. We have is human, that is why the Pap- From the beginning, Filipino 1,200 pupils in our day schools. After the children finished the 4th grade, uan is hospitable, friendly and they formerly went to the public Protestant churches have emdesirous of peace. The other schools. Now the Roman Catholics phasized the value of the Gosside is demoniac, devilish. Some- are getting them; they have the pel in their hospitals and dispentimes, however, the Papuans' funds to have dormitories and to saries; Boy Scouts and Camp equip their schools.
acts are bad only in our eyes, Fire Girls; services for pris- but are good in their own opin- Clinics Had to Be "Sold" oners, for lepers and relief of ion. They, themselves, feel the various kinds. The most potent conflict in their being. They Dr. D. J. Ago, Filipino physi- influence in winning people to know the difference between cian at the mission hospital in Christ has been the private life good and evil. Legaspi, P. 1., could give some and character of Protestant practical suggestions on "sell- Christians, and their public Effective missionary work is ing" a new idea to backward stand on moral issues. The lives not possible without an accurate people. Wishing to establish of both the leaders and the memknowledge of the people. There- clinics in a new area, Dr. Ago bers of the churches have furfore the first demand is: get to first called on the local church nished the strongest testimony know the people, their language, members, taking plenty of time ethics, laws and religion. With- to explain his plan. to the truth of their message. out winning their confidence, Evangelicals also have a good far-reaching influence over them Then he had to persuade the record in public morals. The is impossible. municipal authorities that he fight against alcoholism was was not trying to undermine started and carried on almost Australian Aborigines their prestige. ' Next, the local entirely by them; pro t est s drugs shops had to be convinced against public dance halls and Missionary leaders in Aus- that the clinks would help, not prostitution come largely from tralia are considering the prob- hinder, their trade. The dentist the same source; campaigns lem of the 77,000 Aborigines had to be drawn into the project, against the cockpit and other with great care. This is attrib- and lastly, each of the above had forms of gambling originate uted to a change in public opin- to be persuaded to serve as ad- with the Protestants. ion. vertisers of the proposed clinic. Other elements favoring Prot- Some of the questions that When all this was done, the shy- estantism are the general adhave come up for discussion have ness and fear of the first ven- vance of education, the large to do wi,th aboriginal customs- turesome patients had to be dealt number of educated, liberal nomwhat should be allowed and what with. Then, at last, word spread inal Roman Catholics who have forbidden; the overlapping of abroad that here was help for no vital church membership but
believe in God, and the strongly To Raise Standard of Ministers writes the Pocket Testament anti-Fascist attitude of Evan- League of the religious work gelical Christians. They offer a After a two-year study, a carried on at the prison. reasonable faith to hundreds of commission of the Disciples' thousands of young people in Church introduced a resolution There is an organization here in the schools. at the International Convention the West known as the "Fellowship in in Columbus, Ohio (October Bible Reading," whose aim is to get -Christian Century. 28) , proposing the following as many Bible readers as possible minimum requirements for min- each year during the month of Oc- NORTH AMERICA isterial ordination: tober to concentrate in reading a cer- tain Book of the Bible each day dur- Students As Evangelists 1. Good moral character and per- ing the month. This year the Book sonal fitness for the ministry. of Romans has been selected for spe- Because they feel that a true cial reading and studying. Those Christian life is the only answer 2. A full college course or its equiv- joining agree to read at least four to the problems facing college alent and, if possible, graduate train- chapters a day in Romans during Ocstudents everywhere, the stu- ing in religion. tober, or as another choice they may dents of Wheaton College, Illi- read Romans through in one reading nois, have sent 15,000 copies of 3. Experience in Christian work at least once a week during October, St. John's Gospel to the students which shows real leadership, vision, or they may agree to read Romans of the University of California. pastoral qualities and preaching abil- through daily during October. Here Each copy is inscribed with the ity. in the prison 143 have signed up to statement: "This little booklet join the Fellowship in concentrating will help us all to win in the As matters now stand, a per- on the book of Romans during Ocgame of life." son without even a high school tober. Six of those signing up are education may be ordained in inmates on the condemned row, who Theodore Benson, senior at the church. Opposition to these are facing execution shortly. The Wheaton College and president requirements is expected from a number of inmates who have joined of the Scripture Distribution So- group of conservatives who will the Fellowship by no means takes in ciety there, says: "Our purpose contend it would be a step away all those in the prison daily reading is to discharge our responsibil- from the church's historical con- a portion of the Bible. There is a ity as Christian students to these gregationalism, and toward ec- lot of Bible reading here in the prison our fellow students. We know clesiasticism. Furthermore, be- by the inmates. of no more effective way to reach cause of their independence local the student world than to pre- congregations would not be Religious Radio Programs sent them with the Word of bound to observe the require- God." ments. The Federal Council is spon- soring a new program of radio Survey of American Girls Juvenile Crime Deterrent religion. In addition to the two regular programs of religious A composite picture of the Here is a suggestion in the worship on Sunday which have American girl, 1937 model, is field of crime prevention. Juve- been broadcast for several years presented by General Foods, nile court workers have discov- there will now be a daily pro- Inc., as the result of an effort to ered that many children who are gram of a rather different chardiscover facts about future brought into court are charged acter from 12: 00 to 12: 15 homemakers. From a question- either with stealing toys or steal- every weekday of the year. naire, submitted to shoppers in ing money to buy toys. Out of These noonday messages will be half a million retail food stores, this grew the idea of establish- inspirational and educational in it appears that six out of every ing a toy-lending "library." One character, addressed particularly ten American girls between the has been operating for several to the public. The same speaker ages of 18 and 25 attend church months in Kansas City, Mo., and will be heard each Monday for a regularly. a second one is now being pre- period of three months; another pared there by women of Grace speaker each Tuesday, another Reasons given for non-attend- and Holy Trinity Cathedral. each Wednesday, and so on ance were: through Saturday. The play room in the parish Too lazy …………….. . 36.5% house is to contain the collection The Foreign Missions Confer- Lack of interest ………. . 28.5% of toys, new and "recondi- ence is cooperating in this Too busy ……………. . 19.0% tioned," which the women have presentation. Inconvenient …………. . been collecting. Any child in the 9.2% neighborhood may have a "li- America's Spending brary" card, signed by parent or In answer to the question: guardian, entitling him to bor- The National Committee for "Do you consider it more desir- row a toy. When it is returned Religion and Welfare Recovery able or less desirable, than it in good condition, he may take has prepared a chart to show was in your mother's day, to out another. The toys will be that the American public gave take an active part in church af- sterilized on return. fairs?" replies were given: 30 % less to churches, 29 % less "Fellowship in Bible Reading" More………………… 37.3% to general benevolences, 24 % Less ………………… 26.30/0 The chaplain of California Same………………… 35.70/0 State Prison at San Quentin less to community chests, and 18 % less to colleges in 1936 than was given from the smaller in- comes of 1932. On the other hand, expenditures for jewelry,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
theaters, cigarettes, automobiles. Creek Indian Christians race are characteristics of the army and navy, whiskey, radio Indian people. The Indian has come a long and beer increased from 25 % to way in spiritual development, as Their belief that, although life 31 rtf). -The Living Chu,rch. evidenced in a recent meeting of is mysterious in all its manifes- 1,000 Creek Indians near Eu- tations, yet it can be trusted if Land of the Unexpected faula, Oklahoma. The preacher human beings act in cooperation was Roly Canard, chief of the with it, may be the secret of the Think of a church service at Creeks. Although a university Indian characteristics of poise which every inhabitant of a vil- graduate and a master of Eng- and restfulness, quiet strength lage is present; where every lish, Canard preferred to speak of character, a keen sense of huworshipper sang all the hymns in his native tongue, as do most mor and delight in the gay and from memory! Rev. C. O. of the Creeks both in private and joyous. Unhurried by life's de- Weber, Moravian pastor of Win- in public. Only the text, which mands, they take time to think ston-Salem, N. C., found this was repeated many times with clearly and concretely. Expectamong the unexpected experi- emphasis, was spoken in Eng- ing its constant changes, they ences of a visit to Alaska. lish: "Behold, how good and face the world with courage.- how pleasant it is for brethren The National Board Y. W. C. A. When he arrived in a village to to dwell together in unity!" speak in a church, the bell was Health Education at Sitka, rung long and vigorously. To Around the tabernacle and his delight he found the congre- church building were smaller Alaska gation eagerly drinking in every arbors and sheds under which word of the message and no were long dining tables. Beyond A new departure in health watches pulled out to check the these outdoor dining and cook- education for both boys and time. He was amazed to hear ing quarters were the tents of girls at Sheldon Jackson School, Eskimo Christians pray in pub- the hundreds of families who Sitka, Alaska, has been more lic fluently, and to note the ex- had come for the four-day meet- thorough testing for tubercupressions on their uplifted faces. ing. losis, which is greatly on the in- This is his answer to the ques- crease among the native population he is often asked: "Are re- Without a leader, one Indian tion of Alaska. In Sitka governsults worth the time and money after another starts a hymn if ment school last year, 78 per spent?" he feels the urge and others join cent of the children were found in. Another common practice to be infected. This is partly -Moravian Missions. is for all to pray aloud at the due to poor living conditions; same time. Often this unison of partly to the lack of recreational From Communism to prayer is for some common ob- facilities, but alcohol is probably ject, such as the recovery of a the largest contributing factor. the Church sick brother, or the missionary work of the association. After One phase of this health ex- A. J. Muste, who has recently a few minutes all voices are periment is the isolation and become minister of Lab 0 r silent save one, and the prayer special care of a group of twelve Temple, New York, succeeding is concluded by this one peti- tubercular suspects. This group Edmund B. Chaffee, has issued tioner. has a special table in the dining the following statement: room. Their dishes are segre- -Southern Baptist Home gated and sterilized. Each sus- I return from the left wing political Missions. pect is isolated in the dormitory movement, from radical Marxism, and is given a special rest each from passionate secular idealism, The Gifts of the Indian day. -Presbyterian Banner. which made me condemn the Church People as conservative, as retarding prog- United Christian Council ress, as martyring free spirits. I re- Because the Indian people of Alaska turn to the Church! Why? Because have felt that usefulness without these years of experience have taught beauty is not enough, they have A United Christian Council of me that the Church of the redeemed created beauty in design, sym- Alaska wit h representatives is the only great redeeming agency. bolism, color, rhythm and poetic from the Congregational-Chris- The nucleus of any effective movement thought. For our use they have tian Churches, the Metlakatla against war, against a social order brought corn and other foods Christian Mission and the Methbased on the spirit and method of and herbs, they have broken odist Episcopal Church has been war, will have to be composed of trails for us and taught us ways organized and incorporated in those who by the grace of God, and of living in the out-of-doors. the State of Illinois. insight into the meaning of the Cross, have renounced the spirit of war; To value character above pos- Formed on July 10, the Counfirst in their own hearts and then and sessions, to consider one's tribe cil will be an elastic, interdenomtherefore, in all relationships of life; above oneself, to appreciate the inational group designed to proof those who know the overcoming achievements of others, to wel- mote closer cooperation among power of prayer and humility and come the stranger, to respect the participating denominations sacrifice; of those who are not led childhood and age, to feel al- at work in Alaska. The sponastray by the will to dominate or de- ways a self-respecting pride of sors hope and expect that other stroy anyone, because Christ lives in them. The Church often fails in this, but I see no other agency doing it at all. That is why I return to the Church.
-Federal Council Bulletin.
denominations willJater join the diers to buy copies of the New Matto Grosso, Brazil Council. It marks a.:distinct ad- Testament and ask for prayer. The definite aim of the Inland vance in a cooperative approach to home missionary tasks. Uther mIssionaries keep in touch South America Mis s ion a r y Union is to reach the Indian Among the practical develop- with college students. Full use world, and its purpose is to carry the Gospel to tribes not ments that have resulted is the is made of the press and book -The Christian. shops.
launching of the Alaska Marine Forward in Colombia included in the plans of other Mission to serve the vast, hither- organizations. One can scarcely to neglected territory in Alaska. The Synod of Colombia was believe that regions on this earth duly organized in Bogota on still exist where men live as July 29, a milestone in the his- "Children of Eden," ignorant of LATIN AMERICA tory of Presbyterian missions in the existence of a world outside that country. Rev. Julio Her- their own. The heart of MaUo Sunday School Influence Brazil, Argentina, Chile and nandez, pastor of Sec 0 nd Grosso, Brazil, is such a region, Mexico have each their own na- C h u r c h, BarranquiIla, was and its evangelization has for tional Sunday school missionary elected moderator; Rev. E. G. years been the hope of the Inengaged in developing Sunday Seel, secretary, and Rev. Gus- land S. A. Missionary Union. school work. Textbooks in Span- tavo Villa, treasurer. Delegates The first missionary expediish and Portuguese are being from the three presbyteries, with tion of the Mission was launched prepared for the training of the help of a map, indicated their in 1926 when possibilities were Sunday school teachers. In Ar- fields of activity and the limits gauged. In 1934 another start gentina alone over 2,000 young of their territory, also the re- was made. A third expedition people have undergone training gions to which they hoped to ex- resulted in the erection of a misfor Sunday school and Bible tend the preaching of the Gospel. sion station. This third expediclass work. From the start, the It was shown that if the work tion covered 2,000 miles in 75 Sunday school, for both adults is continued with enthusiasm, days. Thirty-four days were and children, has been one of soon no one will be able to pass spent in canoeing. The main the most successful agencies of through Colo m b i a without purposes of the journey were: touching some evangelical terri- to visit the circuit of Indian vilthe evangelical movement. It is estimated that there are tory. lages and to introduce the pionow more than 2,000,000 people 'l'he importance of having a neer missionaries – the Big connected with Pro t est ant well-organized seminary for the White Chief and the White churches in South America, and theological and pedagogical Mother; to choose a site suitfreedom of thought and expres- training of national workers was able for the mission station and sion has been greatly increased. made clear; in fact, all the pro- to devote some time in building posals, plans and projects were a mission house; to reestablish Work Goes on in Mexico directed toward a great central friendship with the fierce Ka- purpose, and gave the idea of In spite of restrictions, Prot- the different pieces of a jig-saw mauras, whose hostility had been estant missionaries remain in puzzle which only needed to be of nine years standing, due to a Mexico, doing effective work, in fitted into place to reveal the or- breach of promise made by an dered whole. some respects even better than explorer. They had closed their before. Here are some new -Colombian Clippings. tribal portals to every outsider, including foreigner and Indian. methods that have been adopted. Cuban Schools In one of the best restaurants Requests are now coming The educational problem in of Mexico City, "Wednesday Cuba has yet to be solved. Gov- from the Indians themselves ask- Breakfasts" are arranged by ernment high schools and uni- ing for the "good people," mean- Dr. Wallace, a Presbyterian mis- versities are closed, and a few ing the missionaries, to come in sionary, and Professor Baez and live with them. Camargo, Secretary of the Na- -Amazon Valley Indian.
tional Council of Evangelical mission schools have been the Fascism in BTazil Churches. Members of the in- only secondary schools open durtellectual classes are invited to ing recent troublesome years. Evangelical churches of Bra- the breakfasts, and invariably Among the boarding students zil are thoroughly alarmed over listen with deep interest to mes- this year at the Baptist Colegio the increasing menace of Fassages on vital topics by Chris- Internacionales are Carlos Man- cism. Organized about five tian leaders. uel and Flavio de Cespedes, two years ago, mainly with Italian Mr. Norman Taylor, also a grandsons of a former president and German descendants or .nat- Presbyterian missionary, is do- of Cuba and great-grandsons of uralized citizens, Fascism soon ing splendid work among sol- the Cuban patriot and first revo- gained the support of many libdiers. He visits the camps in lutionary president, Carlos Man- erals and young leaders in the his motor-car, entertains the uel de Cespedes. This is a tes- Protestant churches, who not soldiers with a port.able wireless timony to the confidence placed only came out openly for the set, and then gives a Gospel talk. in the school. cause, but distributed literature -WatchrYUJ,n-Examiner. among fellow churchmen. It is usual for many of the sol-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Methodism voices its appre- MISCELLANEOUS Anti-Semitism hension in the Expositor Christao: Church Council Discusses War A conference held at Prince- ton, N. J., in September on the "Every Protestant or Evan- Should America go to war Jew and the Pre s b y t e ria n gelical is, by nature, a liberal with Japan? Is China guiltless Church went on record as urgdemocrat. It follows, therefore, in the present slaughter? Will ing the Presbyterian Church to that Fascist violence will be dictator nations crush democ- speak out clearly on the dangers aimed against the physical life racy? These questions were of anti-Semitism to the Church of the Evangelicals, in case it put to Methodist leaders in Chi- itself, and to take its full share wins out in Brazil. Millions of cago recently. Bitter condemna- of responsibility for the relief of Brazilians are under this threat, tion of the smugness of democ- the social, human and spiritual among them the great majority racies in not considering the eco- needs of the victims of antiof the Evangelicals." The two nomic needs of over-populated Semitism, wherever found. branches of Presbyterianism- nations now enslaved by dicta- Independent and Synodical- tors vied with vehement denun- The purpose of this Conferhave condemned all extremist ciation of the bombing of Chi- ence was to appraise the work regimes. nese cities. Some advocated for the Jews now being carried swift and complete embargoes; on by the Presbyterian Church The Congregational Church others saw embargoes as useless through the community 0 r went farther, and adopted the and vicious. A II inveighed neighborhood c en t e r, and following resolutions: "(1) No against America resorting to through the parish approach, pastor shall be permitted to af- arms to curb Japan in China. whereby churches are urged to filiate himself with the Fascist extend their services and welparty. (2) All churches which Dr. Elbert M. Conover, of come to Jewish neighbors; to' have members who are already Philadelphia, advocated a light- consider the problems arising in Fascists shall exhort them to ningembargo on war material, connection with it; and to deabandon such a doctrine; but including oil and other elements velop a more adequate and efif they persist in remaining vital to fighting, while Rev. N. fective program. such, they must be cut off the A. Christensen of Oakland, Cal., church rolls. (3) Any church was just as positive that an em- -Monday Morning. which allows Fascists in its bargo is useless, dangerous and membership, shall be excluded evil, because it imposes the pun- Problem of Mission Property from the union." ishment on the people least re- sponsible for war, and leads al- One of the problems of the es- -Christian Century. most inevitably to war. Diplo- tablishment, and relationships matic and social ostracism even- of an independent national Demand for Books tually can apply sufficient pres- Church to the home board has to sure to break any nation's ruth- do with the fact that in almost Dr. R. E. Diffendorfer says lessness. Such ostracism is every mission field new national that in South America the rapid slower, but more' drastic in or ultra-nationalistic regulations progress in secular education effect. are affecting the tenure or title has gone far beyond the ability or terms of mission property of the Evangelical churches and Sacrificial Giving holdings. In Mexico many clear the missions to follow the new titles have been simply wiped intellectuals with an adequate Missionaries see the world's out by the Government, with no Christian m e s sag e. These desperate need at close range. remuneration or redress. Elsegroups know philosophy, politi- Nearly $5,000 out of their per- where increments of value have cal economy, economics and sonal incomes has been contrib- been denied or imperilled. In sociology, educational theory and uted by Presbyterian mission- many lands the nat ion a I practice, and especially the aries to the Centennial Fund of churches are disposed to argue physical and social sciences. To the Board of Foreign Missions. that all mission property is held reach these groups by the sole If their average gift were in trust for them, even though method of preaching and organ- equaled by each of the 2,000,000 it was wholly provided from the izing churches is to lose the op- Presbyterian church members at west, or by people who gave it, portunity. Books need to be home, the reply of the Church to not for the endowment of the written by Latins or translated the General Assembly's urging Church in some one land, but from English, and from other "that the churches and individ- for use in the evangelization of languages on the Christian mes- uals make a sacrificial response" the whole world. sage of the world today. He to the appeal for a $1,000,000 further says that the scarcity of Centennial Fund would make a -Presbyterian Banner. reading material in some lan- total response of at least $10,- guages is so great that many 000,000. Every member of the "To myself a heart of steel; boys and girls lapse into illit- Board and of its executive and To my fellows a heart of eracy after havirig completed clerical staff has contributed to love; the work of the primary schools. the Centennial Fund. To my God a heart of flame." -Christian Advocate.
~'====""==",==========~'~
i Our Missionary Bookshelf I I Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,===—–==——–=======""",-,==~,~ A Bible Believing Church. The gives new courage; greater zeal is the result of painstaking Nevius Plan for M.ission Work, Il- study, marked by discerning lustrated in Korea. By Charles and stimulates faith in spiritual a n a I y s e s. The journalistic Allen Clark. 8vo. 370 pp. $2.00. Christian Literature Society. Seoul, methods. The work is one of the sources which underlie the body Korea and E. C. Heinz, 3624 Fifth most outstanding examples of of the text have this unique fea- mission work in the world. It is ture that they present the co- Ave., So., Minneapolis. 1937. well organized but does not Are missionary executives spend its strength on machinery. temporaneous opinions of the proven to be too satisfied with There is life in the organizm. editors. Rather than say that conservative, old-time methods? Every missionary in every the book is well documented, it .Are they and the missionaries field will do well to read this im- should be said that it is in the portant report. The methods main-and professedly so-doctoo hesitant to break loose from need not be slavishly copied but conventional lines and to pioneer they teach lessons that could be uments with interpretative comin missionary activities? As a put into practice in other fields ments. also. Churches at home would matter of fact most modern mis- also profit by a fresh study of The history sketches for the sionary work has broken away these ideals and by adopting reader Japan's emergence from many of these methods. from Apostolic New Testament her centuries of seclusion and methods and has attempted to Japan in American Public Opinion. proceeds to detail what she establish occidental institutions By Eleanor Tupper, Ph.D., and learned from the West-the way George E. McReynolds, Ph.D. 465 in lands where life is more pp. $3.75. Macmillan. 1937. we live, what we know, what we simple and primitive. Dr. John believe and how we fight. What Some time ago it was pointed we condemn in Japan's use of L. Nevius, for many years a mis- out that history centered first in modern engines of war, on the sionary in China, strongly ad- the Mesopotamian region, then earth, in the air, and under the around the Mediterranean basin, vocated a return to apostolic then on the Atlantic coasts, and sea, she learned from the West. methods; this was forty years finally in our day on the Pacific. In condemning her appropriatago. He emphasized evangelism This progress westward fol- ing policy, we condemn our- lowed the migration of the J arather than institutionalism; an phetic races. There was also a selves. great migration eastward, unindigenous church with early til now mankind has almost The volume, in conducting us filled the earth. Japan and through the phases of the probself-support and self-government America are turning back on rather than continued foreign themselves. It would be well if lem of the Japanese in Califorcontrol; and spiritual emphasis each could do the turning grace- nia and Hawaii, the wars with fully; it would be better if they China and Russia, the annexaon Bible lines rather than could do it in the Christian way. tion of Korea, through questions higher intellectual training to "Japan in American Public of immigration and n a val reach secular standards. The Opinion" recounts the way J a- Presbyterian mission in Korea pan has been turning for the quotas, the Japanese Monroe last few decades, as observed by Doctrine, the 21 demands, the early adopted the Nevius ideals authors and editors in America. Lytton Report, and the like, and methods and the results The book is an encyclopedic have been among the wonders of source book of facts concerning leads us up through the intricamodern missions. Dr. Clark de- political changes in China and cies of Japan's operations on the Japan, and in America vis-a-vi:s continent of Asia to the summer scribes these methods, how they of 1937. have been applied and the effect. Numerical results show 180,640 .To statesman, merchant, and new converts to Christ in nine years. This is equivalent to 70 missionary the volume is a valu- able storehouse of information. new parishes, each with an aver- It presents both sides of the sitage of 300 believers every year. uations and should have on both Here is the story of how this was ,sides of the Pacific a wholesome done without a large staff of foreign workers or the expenditure influence on those to whom facts have the major appeal. of large sums of foreign funds.
It is a thrilling story that these two countries. The volume G. P. PIERSON.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 616 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Then and Now in Kenya Colony. of nature and of man's place and the facts stated. The index is By Willis R. Hotchkiss. 160 pp. purpose in relation to God. confined to names of authorities Price, $1.50. Fleming H. Revell quoted. A bibliography of ref- Company, New York, N. Y. 1937. Dr. Morrison is one of the out- erence books would be exceed- standing Christian scholars of ingly helpful. "It is given to few men in this Great Britain. He is too big a wonderful century of develop- soul and too sane a thinker to be Definite Experience. By A. S. Wilment to have witnessed the son of New Zealand. 128 pp. Margrowth of a colony from relative classed either as a Fundamen- shall Morgan & Scott, Ltd. London. savagery to a high degree of talist who defies or ignores civilization." That privilege has science, or a Modernist who ab- In our daily experience and been enjoyed by Mr. Hotchkiss jectly surrenders to science and teaching we are prone to emphain Kenya Colony on the East ignores the evidence of God's size faith, if we are introspec- Coast of Africa. He went to tive in our thinking, and works Africa forty years ago "not be- revelation of truth. The dictum if we are retrospective. In his cause men were heathen and in of authority "Men of science tell timely volume Mr. Wilson brings need of civilization, but because us" is but a poor substitute for faith and experience, or "faith men were sinners and needed a and works," into a beautiful and Saviour." "Thus saith the Lord." convincing harmony. He shows that to be filled with the Spirit In the process of presenting These seven studies were in is not only a privilege of the that Saviour the missionaries part given as Cunningham Lec- Christian but is necessary for a have found that Africans, ac- turers in New College, Edin- fruitful Christian life. cepting the Christian way of life, have assumed many of the burgh, in 1936. They take up On page 74 we find this harmore desirable qualities of our mony brought out clearly. Mr. civilization. The author shows the wonders revealed by the mi- Wilson says that Romans 8: 13 also that the white man's ideas croscope, the telescope, radiation is "one of the deepest teachings and methods are not always and chemistry, the mysteries of of the Word on sanctification. helpful. Often Africans who science, the supernatural, evolu- Sin remains in the body to the have come in contact with the end. The deeds of the body, each new environment of the cities, tion and the "ascent or fall of sin, as it seeks to rise up, can be far from the restraints of vil- man." They are interesting and put to death. It is the presence lage life and tribal connections, of Christ, through the Holy Spirfind it difficult to withstand the clear, scientific and reverent, it that does this." temptations and are greatly de- sane and honest. The most emimoralized by influences which nent and up-to-date scientists Holy living is emphasized they do not understand and to are freely quoted. Many of them throughout the book. Chapter which they cannot adjust them- seven on "Be filled with the Spirselves. honestly admit that "science is it" should be noted as outstand- completely baffled" to explain ing. The author's use of the The effectiveness of Christ in such things as whence came phrase "Bringing in the Kingchanging the lives of men is dis- dom," is post-millennia1. closed when Mr. Hotchkiss says: matter, motion, life, and man. "One conviction alone has re- His view of miracles is that they A. H. PERPETUO. mained not only unaltered, but confirmed with cumulative force are not contrary to nature but Men of the Outposts. The Romance throughout the years, and that transcend our knowledge. He of the Modern Christian Movement. is that the Cross of Christ is the views Christ as unique, "a By Herbert Welch. 8vo. 261 pp. all-sufficient answer to the prob- veritable incarnation of God." $2.00. The Abingdon Press. New lems of Africa, as to the rest of York. 1937. the world." He believes that evolution is only a theory and has been very There is no more stimulating CLARA L. BENTLEY. much overworked, is often mis- reading than good biographies- history teaching by examp~e. Christian Faith and the Science of understood and takes too much The life stories of great and Today. By J. H. Morrison. 8vo. for granted. "Redemption, not godly men and women reveal 228 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. God working in human life. Nashville. 1936. evolution, is the Christian watch- Here are twelve fascinating sketches and interpretations of Here is a book that will repay word." He holds that the "Chris- nine men and three women who any intelligent man or woman tian doctrine of the fall of man gave their lives and used their for reading. Ministers, teach- is not necessarily in conflict with talents sacrificially to advance ers, missionaries, and others who the findings of modern science. the cause of Christ among manare sometimes disturbed by the kind, especially in mission lands. claims of modern science, or ill- . . . When man sinned he fell, They include pioneers – Xavier informed or half-baked expon- and suffered a permanent moral and Livingstone; evangelistsents of scientific theories, will disablement. . . . Christian op- John Wesley and William Tayfind here a scientific but sane lor; educators·- Wm. Clark of . and reverent study of the facts timism is based on redemption, Japan and Isabella Thoburn of not on development; on the di- vine grace that sends help from above, not on any power in man to evolve."
This volume would be a good antidote to the false and hasty conclusions of science (falsely so-called) as taught in many of our schools and colleges. Ex- tremists on both sides will no doubt disagree with some con- clusions but they cannot dispute
India; doctors-C h r i s tie of 000 Negroes out of 11,800,000 dently writes with the Lutheran Manchuria and Schweitzer of (or about 50 per cent) are not constituency especially in·mind.
Africa; Christian soc i a 1 re- members of any church." The The book, however, has a timely formers-Verbeck of Japan and percentage is larger in urban message for evangelicals of Mary Slessor of Calabar.; and centers. "This constitutes a every name. The pOSition of the home base leaders-Bishop Wm. challenge to the churches for a author will be regarded by many M. McDowell and John'R. Mott. united march against sin and as extremely conservative, but Only two of the twelve'tare still for the salvation of souls." it is temperate and scholarly. living and working on ·'earth. Among the religious sects re- He does not contend that the The least known is William S. ported are "Black Jews," Mos- writers of the Bible were mere Clark; all are worthy of more lems, "Faith Eternal" (Father amanuenses whose personalities intimate acquaintance. There is Divine), and Moorish sects. The were submerged in the commu- variety in their characters, their largest ,number of Negroes are nication of the divine message.
fields of service, their types of members :of the Negro Baptist What is insisted upon is that the work; all were actuated by de- Church (1,950,296 members). writers were preserved from er- votion to Chrisf"imd by a desire Other churches with over 100,- ror of statement and that no to help theiriellow men and to 000 each are African Methodist view of inspired communication bring them into harmony with (6 branches) and white Meth- can be intellectually sound in the will of Goo. odist Episcopal. which inspiration does not ex- Dr. Welch is a bishop of the The section on "The Negro in tend to words which correctly Methodist Episcopal Church and Poetry and Fine Arts" is very express the truth. To hold that was for sixteen years in Japan. interesting – including "the ori- only the thought is inspired These studies, given as lectures gin of the tango." raises the serious difficulty as to at Drew University, are well More might be said to advan- whether the mind is capable of written; they offer valuable il- tage on the Negroes' missionary entertaining any intelligent conlustrative material for sermons work at home and abroad. as well as interesting half-hour ception which does not take form in words. .
fireside readings. The index re- Mann of the Border. By D. Emmett The most valuable portion of Alter. 188 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. veals a wealth of topics and per- Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand the book, however, is not the dis" sonalities that have contributed Rapids, Mich. 1937. to the onward march of Chris- cussion of varied positions touchtianity. This story of a medical mis- sionary on the Northwest Fron- ing the question of inspiration, Negro Year Book. An Annual En- tier of India, among the wild cyclopedia of the Negro. 1937-8. tribes of the Afghan borders, is but the author's careful exam- Edited by Monroe N. Work. 8vo. written by a missionary of the 575 pages. $2.00. Tuskegee In- United Presbyterian Church. ination of the internal evidence stitute, Alabama. He does not make clear whether the stirring incidents described which the Scripture itself af- This ninth edition of the year are based on fact or whether book is exceedingly valuable be- they are oniy fiction. The cham- fords. We could hardly suggest cause of its comprehensive and pion for Islam, a fanatic Mullah, up-to-date information on the meets the Doctor at first by open a more painstaking and satissubject and the arrangement of opposition and violent words and topics which make it easy for threats; then they meet at a factory digest of this evidence, reference. wrestling bout where American dash and jiu-jitsu overcome the unless it be found in the large Both students and general readers will find it good reading volume by Gaussen bearing the title "Theopneustia." In the light of powerful evidence the open-minded reader will realize how much more consistent and logical is the author's view than are any of the prevailing alter- natives. HUGH R. MONRO.
and worth owning. For example, brawn and weight of the stal- Scripture Calendars for 1938. Pick- wart Afghan. Finally the Mul- ering & Inglis. London. the section on "Some: Achievements of the American Negro" lah's followers are won by Each of these calendars carry a daily Bible message and some shows their ec9nomic progress, Christlike love and service. The of them have also helpful comtheir intellectua] and cultural ac- story is well told but the miscomplishments, their inventions sionary approach is not ideal. S. M. Z. ments by s u c h well-known and standing in the field of preachers and authors as Bishop sports, as well as in business, The Foundations Must Stand. By P. Moule, C. H. Spurgeon, D. L. E. Kretzmann, Ph.D., D.D. 123 pp. politics and religion. On the Concordia Publishing House, St. Moody, Arthur T. Pie r son, other hand, the Negroes' crime record is not ignored. The Louis, Mo. – James Stalker, C. I. Scofield, F.
famous "Scottsboro Case" is This small volume dealing R. Havergal, J. R. Miller, Adolph dealt with impartially and' its with the inspiration of the Bible Sophir and Alexander McLaren. is a veritable arsenal for the de- They are mounted on attractive, significance is indicated.
In the section on the "Church fender of the faith. Its author lithographed picture cards made Among the Negrot!s" (30 pages) is a professor in a seminary of for hanging on the wall. They we read that "more than 6,000.- the Lutheran Church and evi- make very acceptable gifts, rang-
ing in price from 1 shilling to 2 life and progress of the people Hallock Johnson suggests in his shillings, 6 pence. each. of India. Reports on cholera, introduction, in the manner by smallpox and plague show an in- which the argument in each There are also almanacs with crease. Leprosy, venereal dis- chapter is turned into an appeal. Scripture texts and "Golden eases and tuberculosis are also Grain Diaries (Is. to 6s. 6d. studied. The information on J. WESLEY INGLES. each), and Christmas cards 15 Government education is meager. for Is. 9d.). Ali Lives in Iran. By Caroline Singer The Heart of the Christian Faith. and Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge. Illus. A Mighty Winner of Souls: The Life By Francis Shunk Downs. 209 pp. 72 pp. $1.75. Holiday House. of Charles G. Finney: A Study in $1.50. American Tract Society. New York. 1937. Evangelism. By Frank Grenville New York. 1937. Beardsley, Ph.D. 192 pp. $1.50. This fascinating story of a American Tract Society, New York. This little volume deals with little boy and girl (Fatima) who the cardinal verities of the lived in Iran, as Persia is now ~…. 1937. Christian faith, making its ap- called, is based on firsthand ob- No man was more used of God peal to the heart more than to servations made during a motor journey of 5,000 miles in Iran. in his day and generation than the head. The book is most attractively the subject of this biography. Dr. Downs, as a preacher in printed, and illustrated with Tens of thousands of people marginal drawings. Children throughout the United States the First Presbyterian Church who read will be captivated by were brought to Christ through of Berkeley, California, minis- it and will learn to understand his preaching. He reminds one ters to large bodies of university their Iranian brothers and sisof the Scripture that says: "His students, and gives here a series ters better through their lives ministers a flame of fire." The of sermons on doctrinal themes. pictured here. Jewish Isaac, author was Professor of The- His chapter on "The Inspired Zoroastrian Cyrus' and Chrisology and is now Chaplain of the Book" dismi,sses apparent dis- tian Luke are also introduced Missouri Society S. A. R. His crepancies as due to errors in with good effect. knowledge of Church History is translation or errors in transadequate for a proper presenta- mission, and meets not at all the Full Assurance. H. A. Ironside, D.D. tion of this life and its back- problem of an inspired and in- .125 pp. 75 cents. The Bible Instiground. He portrays Finney as fallible Canon without an in- tute Colportage Assn. Chicago. a winner of souls, as an evan- fallible Church to select it. The gelistic leader, as pastor of a book moves into a much stronger 1937. church and also tells of his con- position in the second chapter nection with the founding of on "The Person of Our Lord One of the largest Protestant Oberlin College. In the words Jesus Christ," where Dr. Downs congregations i n America – of the Preface: "Nothing will lays his finger correctly on "the more than three thousand-regserve to promote an interest in central issue of controversy in ularly attend the ministry of the evangelism more than a study of our generation." Here is a the lives and measures of the cogent array of testimony to the author of this book at the Moody men who were successful in win- deity of Christ. Memorial church, Chicago. This ning souls in the past, not that we may attempt to reproduce It is both the strength and small volume of sermons extheir methods, but that we may weakness of the book that it is plains this remarkable interest; catch something of their spirit filled with quotations, many of it deals with a vital truth in and discover those principles them marked by vigor, beauty, terms which are readily underwhich underlie all true evan- and truth. In some places the stood. Dr. Ironside is an able gelism." Well worth reading, frequent selections are like and full of inspiration. pearls gathered from many expository preacher and the wide sources and strung on the thread influence of his sermons sug- S. M. Z. of the author's argument. gests that this type of preaching has sustained interest beyond India 1934-35. 8vo. 145 pp. 50 cents. In the midst of an unoriginal Government Press. Delhi, India; treatment of great Biblical other more "modern" types. British Library, 270 Madison Ave., themes, 'are found illustrations New York. 1937. that hav~ne11ing force or clarify- The aim of the auth{i'1"'iri the ing power. Dr. Downs shows present volume is to le'M:Chris- This official report, presented his homiletical gift and ability to to the Indian Parliament, deals organize his material. tians into an experience of enwith agriculture and industry, t ire assurance of salvation commerce, finance, communica- Laymen who have had little through Christ-a high objections, defence, politics, health evangelical teaching and young tive. Each of the ten chapters and education, and scientific sur- people who need aW'arm and is founded on one of the great veys. The wealth of information concise antidote to the popular assuring promises of Scripture gathered is especially important and superficial lectures of some and there is pointed illustration for the Government and those iconoclastic professors that tend and searching comment to bring engaged in education. Nothing to weaken faith. will find much is said about religion but all the help in this little volume. Its the truth home with power. The topics are closely related to the chief virtue lies, as Dr. Wm. popular essays on ethics and so- cial behavior are shallow sub- stitutes for the satisfying spir- itual realities presented in this book. H. R. MONRO.
The Parables of the Gospels: And Those Who Would Enjoy the Their Meaning for Today. By Hugh More Abundant Spiritual Martin, M.A. 251 pp. $2.00. Life Must Seek It Daily Abingdon Press, New York. 'Cb¢ Upp¢r Room This interesting interpretation of the Parables, by a leader in JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1938 the Student Christian Movement Now Ready for Distribution of Great Britain, approaches the subject from the standpoint of Jesus taught his disciples to ask only a daily portion from present-day needs and issues. Heaven's inexhaustible store-"daily bread"-"daily forgive- His purpose is to furnish a book ness from sin"-"daily deliverance from temptation." suitable for teachers in the classroom and the pulpit, and not to It has been the sole purpose of THE UPPER ROOM from supplant larger standard works the beginning to endeavor to re-establish in the minds of on the Parables. An introduc- Christians, regardless of faith or creed, the necessity of some tion, on the character of the form of daily devotions, out of which will most surely come Parables is followed by a treat- a new spiritual vitality for both individuals and church conment based on the translation of gregations. Dr. Moffatt which is used as the text. It is always reverent, Many pastors and group leaders will want to use copies of sometimes incisive and fre- the January, February, March issue of THE UPPER quently portrays a canny insight ROOM as a Christmas gift to members of Bible Classes, into the application of the Par- Young People's Groups, Missionary Societies, and to inables to our own day; for ex- dividual members of the congregation. Special Christmas ample: "Weare still building on envelopes, in two colors, will be furnished at one cent each, sand. The Great War saw the postpaid, in quantities of ten or more j plain, unprinted, at collapse of the imposing edifice fifty cents per hundred, postpaid. of nineteen centuries of 'Progress.' And so little have we Use one of the order forms below. learned the lesson that the few slender gains we thought we had CONSIGNMENT ORDER INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION' wrested from the wreck, are now disappearing." Issue for January, February, March THB UPPBR ROOM, Our chief criticism is due to (For use of Pastor or Group Leader. Doctors' Building, the brevity of some chapters. Nashville, Tenn. Only three pages are given to the Order ten or more copies.) Gentlemen: Unjust Steward and seven pages to the Prodigal Son. This means THB UPPBR ROOM, I am inclosing herewith thirty cents (foreign, a very inadequate treatment of forty cents) for which please send me T he Up· the greatest of all our Lord's Dodors' Building, peT Room for one year, postpaid, beginning with Parables. On the other hand, Nashville, Tenn. the book abounds in careful Gentlemen: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~quarterly is.uc. exegesis. The parable of the Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ leaven is held to refer, not to Please send me copies of T"e evil, but to the Kingdom of God. Street or Route _______________ Upper Room, postpaid. I will sell these for five S. M. ZWEMER. Post·office __________-"State'_ __ cents per copy and pay for same when sold. It Twelve Clever Girls Who Became *A sin~le copy by mail anywhere 10 cents. Famous Women. By H. A. W. is understood that I have the privilege of return- Hamilton. Illus. 12mo. 95 pp. 1s. Pickering & Inglis. London & ing at your expense Bny unsold copies. Glasgow. 1937. Name _____________________ Some of these women are widely known-like Queen Vic- Street or Route ________________ toria, Frances Ridley Havergal, Post·office _ _ _ _ _ _State'_ __ Mary SIessor, Mrs. Ann H. Judson, and Florence Nightingale. Others, not well known in America, will also repay closer acquaintance. They were all remarkable for their nobility of character and for their useful service. Their life stories will be especially inspiring to young girls.
Books A Christmas Present FOR SALE-3l new white
$2.00 each; 19 new black pleated choir Apostle of Japan, Samuel Isaac . for Your Minister Joseph Schereschewsky. James gowns, $3.75 each. all or part. L. J. Arthur Miller. 264 pp. $2.50. Give a subscription to Morehouse Pub. Co. Milwaukee. LINDNER, 42S-MRvV Seventh Ave., New CHURCH MANAGEMENT York City. Daily Guidance. Fairlie Thornton. 31 pp. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. "Found in Prosperous Churches" Orient-three in India, three in China London. and one in Japan. This is perhaps 1 year, $2.50; 2 years, $4.00 women's greatest and most practical Everyday Life in Burma. Pictures enterprise in Christian international- to be colored. Is. S. P. G. London. CHURCH MANAGEMENT ism.
India in 1934-35. 50 cents. 145 pp. Auditorium Building Now, after twenty years, Mrs. Pea- British Library of Information. body goes to the Orient again as an New York. Cleveland, Ohio ambassador of friendship. This is a great work for the emancipation of Japan in American Public Opinion. Year Book of the Society for Propa- women, begun under the "Treaty of Eleanor Tupper and George E. gating the Gospel Among the Bethlehem" through the Saviour of Reynolds. 465 pp. $3.75. Mac- Heathen. 120 pp. S. P. G. London. women. One hundred million women millan. New York. of India are still without expert med- Personal Items ical aid. The demand for graduates Japan Today. T. T. Brumbaugh. of Vellore Medical College make Mrs. 500 pp. Kyo Bun Kwan. Tokyo. Rev. Irwin W. Underhill, Jr., the Peabody's trip of special importance. only Negro missionary in the foreign Men of the Outposts. Herbert Welch. service of the Presbyterian Church, *** $2.00. 261 pp. Abingdon Press. was recently elected a fellow of the New York. Royal Geographical Society for his Dr. E. Stanley Jones will be back splendid work among the pygmies in in India at the end of this year and Miracles in a Doctor's Life. Walter Africa. He is a graduate of the will be available for service in the Lewis Wilson. 122 pp. B. 1. C. School of Finance of the University Indian churches from the beginning Assn. Chicago. of Pennsylvania and of Princeton of 1938. On account of the trouble Theological Seminary. He received between China and Japan it is not The Nevius Plan for Mission Work. the degree of doctor of divinity from possible for him to continue his work Charles Allen Clark. 372 pp. $2.00. Lincoln University recently. in China. Christian Literature Society, Seoul, Korea, or E. C. Heinz, 3645 5th Dr. James K*elly*, s*ecretary of the *** Ave., South, Minneapolis. World's Sunday School Association, Dr. and Mrs. Fred H. Hope, mis- Negro Year Book-1937-38. Monroe recently visited Bulgaria in the in- sionaries of the Presbyterian Church N. Work. 575 pp. Negro Year terests of religious education. He in Cameroun, West Africa, have re- Book Publishing Co. Tuskegee, Ala. also visited Jugoslavia t;) confer on cently returned to Elat where they the reorganization of Christian youth have been engaged in missionary work On the Holy Mount. Joseph Pearce. work so as to place it on a more stable for over twenty-five years. Dr. Hope 95 pp. Is. Pickering & Inglis. basis. is superintendent of the Frank James London. Industrial School, a very effective *** mission enterprise. Twelve Clever Girls Who Became Famous Women. J. A. W. Hamil- Dr. John H. Finley, editor of the The Presbyterian ton. mus. 96 pp. Is. Pickering New York Times, and Dr. Arthur H. & Inglis. London. Compton, winner of the Nobel prize A weekly religious newspaper in for physics in 1927, and professor of its lo6th year of continuous pub- Under New Management. Raymond physics at the University of Chicago, Iication under the same name. H. Benton. 128 pp. Is. 3d. Pick- have been appointed co-chairmen of ering & Inglis. London. the laymen's committee of the $10,- It is conservative and evangel- 000,000 sesquicentennial fund for The W orId from a Window Garden. Christian Education. This fund is to ical, gets its news by telegraph Grace E. Pulling. mus. 90 pp. stabilize the financial situation of 54 S. P. G. London. Presbyterian colleges and 52 univer- and keeps abreast of the times. sity centers where the Presbyterian John Wesley's Awakening. James Church through its Board of Chris- It goes into every state of the Richard Joy. 50 cents. 124 pp. tian Education maintains pastors. Methodist Book Concern. New Union, the District of Columbia, York. *** and U. S. possessions.
Ali Lives in Iran. Caroline Singer Mrs. Henry W. Peabody, formerly It goes to Asia and Africa, South and Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge. mus. a missionary to India and of recent 72 pp. $1.75. Holiday House. years well known for her effective America, Canada and New Zealand New York. activity in behalf of peace, temper- and into twelve countries of Eu- ance and missions has been requested rope. Religion on the American Frontier. by the directors of Madras Christian Vol. II, The Presbyterians, 1783- College for Women, Madras, and the Subscription Price, – 1840. William Warren Sweet. 939 directors of the Women's Christian Ministerial Rate, pp. $3.50. Harpers. New York. Medical College, Vellore, South India, to go to India for the celebration of 50e. extra—Canadian postage The Study of the Bible. Ernest Cad- the twentieth anniversary of Vellore man Colwell. 184 pp. $2.00. Uni- Medical College of which Dr. Ida $1.00 extra—foreign postage versity of Chicago Press. Chicago. Scudder is president. In 1920 Mrs. Peabody was chairman of the Promo- THE PRESBYTERIAN Stocking Tales. Stories for Children. tion Committee for securing buildings J. T. Stocking. $1.25. 119 pp. and equipment for seven union Chris- 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Pilgrim Press. Boston. tian colleges for the women of the Three Typical Beliefs. 115 pp. $1.50. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Why Worship. Muriel Lester. 25 cents. 43 pp. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
LIFE OF GEORGE W
By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the influential and able editor of the Bombay GlIardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. The Bombay GlIardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XV. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVI. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XVIII. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work. XIX.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 156 Fifth Avenue, New York fI abrf~tma~ 6fft @uggt~tfon Remember at Christmas time, with a gift that comes every month, some Missionary, Pastor, Teacher, Sunday School Teacher or other Christian Worker. You cannot do better than to send each one a year's subscription to THE MISSIONARY ~~WORID This illustrated evangelical missionary monthly will keep them in touch with the need of men for the Gospel and the progress of missionary work in all lands. $2.50 a year.
OUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER is good only until December 25th. We will send two annual subscriptions-both new or one new and one renewal-for one year for $4.00. (Regular price $2.50 each.) Among the coming articles are papers on these topics by How CAN WE IMPROVE MISSIONARY ADMINISTRATION? . . . . . . . . . . . . William Paton THE OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTIANITY TO-DAY …………………… Julius Richter THE PLACE OF CHRIST IN HISTORY …………… " ……. Kenneth S. Latourette ENCOURAGEMENTS IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF MOSLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . George Swan How MAKE EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY ApPEALS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleland B. McAfee Is THE DAY OF PIONEERING OVER? . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth G. Grubb S-a-v-e-$-1-.0-0-.–Ta-ke-a-dv-an-ta-ge-o-f -thi-s -of-fe-r N-O-W–. -T-w-o -Tw-el-ve–M-on-th-S-ub-sc-ri-pti-on-s -fo-r -$4-.0-0 MIssIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO., Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — July 1937
1937
, The Murdoch Trail in Kentucky Alvin E. Magary What Rural Churches Are Doing w. H. Thompson Pioneering for Christ in Kwangsi A. C. Snead China and the New Life Movement Generalissimo. Chiang Kai..shek Thinking Yellow vs. Acting Yellow Geoffrey W. Royall The Problem of the Rural Church in Canada J. R. Watt A Brahman Christian……Nehemiah Goreh 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember September 27 – October 1 – Houston, of her service to Japanese women
Texas. Dean, Mrs. A. B. Haynes, the field of education. M>iss Loomis July 5-16-New Jersey Summer 618 Highland Ave., Houstori, Texas. was principal of Doremus High School School for Christian W 0 r k e r s, for girls in Yokohama from 1901 until Blairstown, N. J. October 5-6- Warren, Ohio. Mrs. her retirement last year. She is the George Konold, 314 Scott St., N. E., second missionary in this school to be July 8-13 – International Christian Warren, Ohio. so honored by the Emperor, the first Endeavor Convention, Grand Rap- being Miss Julia N. Crosby, one of ids, Mich. October 21 – Baltimore, Md. Mrs. the founders of the mission, who went David D. Baker, 410 N. Calhoun to Japan in 1871. July 11-16 – Anniversary, First Con- St., Baltimore, Md. ference of American Methodism. *** Old St. George's Church. Phila- Personal Items Dr. Tom Lambie, recently in charge delphia. Dr. E. Stanley Jones expects to be of the work of the Sudan Interior Mis- July 12-26- World Conference on in China for six months from August sion in Ethiopia and a naturalized Life and Work. Oxford, England. 15. He goes at the invitation of the citizen of Ethiopia, has recently re- National Christian Council of China. turned from a visit to Africa to sur- July 14-17-National Council of Fed- He will be asked to give attention vey the Nigerian field with a view to erated Church Women. Lake Ge- primarily to the strengthening of opening new stations to be occupied neva, Wis. church leadership in evangelism, lay by missionaries who will no longer be service and the Christianizing of the welcome in Ethiopia. Dr. Lambie has July 19-30-Religious Education Con- home, with such work for non-Chris- applied to have his American citizen- ference. Northfield, Mass. tians and students as may be carried ship restored. During his trip he and on without diversion from this main Dr. Rowland V. Bingham went up the July 24-31-Conference of the Asso- Nile to Khartoum and later flew from ciation of Christian Youth Move- objective. there to Kano, 1,800 miles across ments of America. Stony Brook, *** Africa to the west.
L. 1. Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, a member of *** the Board of Directors of THE RE- July 31-August 6-General Confer- VIEW, has been elected president of Rev. Hafiz Abood Faris, elected to ence. Northfield, Mass. the Woman's American Baptist Home represent Syria at the Centennial cele- Mission Society at its recent annual brations of the Board of Foreign Mis- July 31-August 7-Annual Interde- meeting in Philadelphia. sions of the Presbyterian Church in nominational Young People's Con- the U. S. A., is pastor of the church ference. Stony Brook, L. I. *** at Horns, Syria; president of the Synod Dr. William J. Reid and Dr. Wil- and moderator of the Syrian Evan- August 3-18 – World Conference on gelical Church. Through his leader- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- liam J. Reid, Jr., as father and son, ship federation among the Protestants land. in Syria has been effected and included have continuously led the First United the Covenantor churches (Reformed), August 16-23 – Christian .Endeavor the Irish Presbyterian Mission and the Conference. Northfield, Mass. Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh Danish Mission churches.
August 21-29-General Bible Confer- for 75 full years, the father holding As a schoolboy Mr. Faris attended ence. Stony Brook, L. 1. the American Presbyterian Mission the pastorate for 40 years. This School at Sidon and received his the- Sept. 28-30 – Annual Interdenomina- unique anniversary has recently been ological training at Suk-ul-Gharb. He tional Missionary Institute, Wom- is related to the talented Abood fam- an's Interdenominational Union of celebrated in Pittsburgh. In a curious ily which has furnished the Christian Philadelphia and Vicinity. First way the younger man has reproduced Church in Syria and Palestine with Baptist Church, Philadelphia. six pastors, several teachers, and a his father's work. The father was for number of workers along other lines. SUMMER CONFERENCES AND 15 years editor of the United Pres'by- He spent a number of years in Amer- SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS terian; the son has edited the same ica (1903-07), and organized an Arabic-speaking Presbyterian Church Council of Women for Home Mis- paper for 16 years. The weekly Bible among the Syrians of West Hoboken. sions and Affiliated with the Committee on Women's Work, School at the Y. M. C. A., which the *** Foreign Missions Conference elder taught for 30 years, was after- Rev. and Mrs. Phineas B. Kennedy, July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. Miss v.ho have spent forty years in Al- Amy O. Welcher, 796 Prospect Ave., ward led by the son for almost 20 bania and Macedonia as missionaries, Hartford, Conn. years. The U nit e d Presbyterian first under tHe American Board and Handbook, which the father prepared later in the Albanian Evangelical July 10-17 – Mountain Lake Park, Mission, are now in America and are Md. Chairman, Mrs. J. M. Knight, annually for many years, has been available for addresses on conditions 207 Roane St., Charleston, W. Va. and work in Albania. Mr. and Mrs. issued by the son for 22 years. The Kennedy have a fine lot of stereopticon July 17-24–Mt. Hermon, Calif. Mrs. slides and a large fund of interesting N. J. Forsberg, 1144 Eddy St., San father sent a full-page weekly discus- Francisco, Calif. information in regard to this little- sion of the Sunday school lesson to known part of the storm center of July 19-23 – Bethesda, Ohio. Miss Europe. Their address is 718 Ken- Mary 1. Scott, 310 Tomlinson St., his paper; here, too, the son has car- sington Ave., Plainfield, N. J. Moundsville, W. Va. ried on. *** ••• August 15-22 – Chautauqua, N. Y. Chairman, Miss B. Louise Wood- Dr. J. D. Jones, long pastor of one David Griffin, son-in-law of Rev. ford, 930 23d Ave. North, St. of the leading Con g reg a t ion a I Paul Rader, Chicago evangelist, ex- Petersburg, Fla. pects to make a 20,000-mile tour of churches of England, and well known Asiatic and African frontiers in a August 19-25 – Kerrville, T e x a s. three-wheeled motorcycle truck, ac- Chairman, Mrs. T. M. Cunning- in America as well as Great Britain, companied by Hubert Mitchell, of Los ham, 618 West Sydamore, Denton, Angeles. From Singapore their Texas. has been elected to the presidency of route will take them through the Ma- lay States, Burma, Tibet, across September 20-24 – Minnesota (Min- the National Free Church Council. Khyber Pass, through Persia and neapolis-St. Paul). President, Mrs. finally across the mid-section of Charles L. Grant, 610 Aurora Ave., *** Africa. St. Paul, Minn. Prof. Arthur H. Compton, eminent September 20-24–Southern California young physicist and Nobel Prize win- (Los Angeles). Mrs. H. M. Horn, ner, has been installed Chairman of 1955 Carmen Ave., Los Angeles, the Laymen's Missionary Movement, Calif. Chicago. Prof. Compton has served on the Committee for eight years. September 27 – October 1 – Dallas, Texas. Pres., Mrs. E. R. Alderson, *** 561 Goodwin St., Dallas, Texas. Miss Clara Denison Loomis, for thirty-five years a missionary in Japan under the Woman's Union Mis- sionary Society of America, was re- cently honored by the Japanese Gov- ernment by being presented with the Renju Hosho, the highest decoration
MISSIONARY for your magazine as a whole. lt IS Fastest
REVIEW OF THE WORLD well for all of us to keep before us to the DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor the general trend in the missionary world, as well as to know some of the ORIENT VOL. LX JULy-AuG., 1937 Nos. 7 & 8 speclllc pieces of work which are be- ing carried on by other churches Japanese Publication and Business Olllce– throughout the world. Your MISSION- Girl Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. ARY KEVIEW helps to keep us informed with at these points." Editorial and Executive Olllce– lantern. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. MABEL NIEDERMEYER, Entered as second-class matter at Director of Children's Work, Go direct fromVancouverand Victoria in 10 days by Em- Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under United Christian Missionary press oj Asia or Empress oj Act of March 3, 1879. Society, Indianapolis. Russia. Only 3 more days via Hawaii by Empress ojJapan 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. *** (fastest ship on the Pacific) Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. or Empress oj Canada. Con- Published monthly, except August. "You are surely issuing a most nect at Honolulu from Cali- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 193 7. splendid magazine. I bind the copies fornia ports. Low round-trip British agents – Marshall, Morgan so as to maKe constant use of them. fares include passage from and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, I have known of interest and contribu- and to Seattle. London. E. C. 1 shilling per copy, tions through people learning of needs 10 shillings a year. as given in THE REVIEW." ~r;4 MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- REV. WILLIAM H. ENSIGN. For rates and sailings, see LISHING CO., INC. Los Angeles, Calif. YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- dian Pacific: New York, Chi- BOARD OF DIRECTORS "I think ever*y *Ch*ristian ought to ca~o, San Francisco, 38 other ROUERT E. SPEER, President citIes in U. S. and Canada. A. L. WARNSHUlS, Vice-President read THE REVIEW. It is the best thing I have ever seen on missions. Many WALTER MCDOUGALL, ~'rea8urer of my congregation are oecoming en- thUSIastic over it. One night when a DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary speaker disappointed me I talked for an hour on mIssions, giving informa- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT tion gleaned from THE REVIEW."
WILLIAM I. C'luMBERLoUN PASTOR F. L. SHANNON.
D. J. FANT Beckley, -W.-V-a.- – – – MRS. ORRIN R. JUDO THE SECRETS OF SUCCESS WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH "Push," said the button. "Take pains," said the window. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER "Never be led," said the pencil. "Be up to date," said the calendar. Editorial Chat "Always keep cool," said the ice. "Do business on tick," said the clock. Our June (Rural America) Num- "Never lose your head," said the ber has already had a large sale and is still in great demand. Order your barrel. extra copies before the supply runs "Do a driving business," said the out. Here is only one of the many favorable comments we have received: hammer. "Aspire to great things," said the nut- "Allow me to congratulate you on the splendid issue of THE REVIEW for meg. June in which you present a fine pic- "Make light of everything," said the ture of rural America. This will be of great help to the rural church fire. movement." "Do nothing off-hand," said the glove: "Look up," said the telescope. THOMAS ALFRED TRIPP, "Make much of little things," said the Associate Director, Town and microscope. Country Dept., The Church Ex- "Look ahead," said the spy-glass. tension Boards of the Congrega.- tional and Christian Churches. Obituary Note.
*** Emma Belle Dougherty Pierson, for forty-two years the beloved and Other articles on "Christ and Rural faithful wife of the Editor of this America" appear in this present issue REVIEW, fell asleep in Christ at her and more will follow later, since the home in Montclair, New Jersey, on subject is to cover a year of Home June 18, after a serious illness, last- Mission study. ing over five months. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December *** 15, 1871, and early gave herself to Christ,., trusting in Him for salvation As usual, in recent years, there will and all her daily needs. For nearly be no August number of THE REVIEW. fifty years she was a remarkably suc- Instead the June and July numbers cessful teacher of little children in the each have a larger number of pages. Sunday school and led many of them Many subscrioers are away in August to Christ. Her personal charm and and the summer months are less (un- many talents were dedicated to His fortunately) active in church circles. service. Mrs. Pierson was deeply in- The omission of the August issue is terested in the work of Christ at home also a help in meeting publication ex- and abroad, was active in the missionpenses. ary work of her own Church, was an officer of the Montclair Missionary *** Union and for some years a mem.:er of the Board of Foreign Missions of Our October number will be looked the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. forward to with great interest as it will be devoted to the very important (Concluded on 3d cQ'/Jer.) topic, "Christ and the Moslem World." [337 ] Other recent *com* m*ents on the RE- VIEW show that God is using it to stimulate interest in the Cause of Christ. The following are some extracts from letters: "I wish to express my appreciation
© International Photo
A RECENT PORTRAIT OF GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK AND MADAME CHIANG (See article, pages 356 to 362) REVIB ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LX JULY-AUGUST, 1937 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 Topics of the Times YOUTH – WHITHER? The situation is not wholly new except in the complacency with which many parents, teachers This is ideally the golden age of youth. Never and even professing Christians look upon it. have the young men and young women had such There are many who have high ideals for the opportunities. They are awake to this new day, Church, the school, the home; what are we going with its problems and possibilities in education, to do about it? Boys and girls are capable of in politics, in science and business. Youth is also great things and their interest is not difficult to awake to the new license and opportunities in capture for the best in God's creation and procrime and lust, in war and lawlessness. It is well gram. Left alone or misled they naturally run known that the age of convicted criminals has de- wild. creased by one-half in the past twenty-five years. The widespread use of the automobile for vice and The Christian Church has a responsibility for crime, the pernicious effect of intoxicants and the the guidance of youth because of her commission degrading influence of much that is found in from God and the ideals for which she stands. At movies and theaters and in modern literature; a crime conference held in Albany, former Justice the decrease in the influence of the Church; the Alfred J. Talley said that judges of the bench laxity in parental control, and the new disregard declare the main cause of criminality in Amer- ica is the "indifference of our people to the need for God and His laws fostered in too many schools of the American child for daily religious teachand colleges – all these have not only helped to ing." He continued: further inflame "flaming youth" but now endanger the whole life of the coming generation. Recently Why is it not time to make a fresh start? In the some high schools in Greater New York and else- policy of the State, religion is kept out of the schools, where have been the subject of shocked investi- because, unhappily, one religion was fearful that another gation because of the widespread immorality that religion would get some advantage and the fatal course was reported. Such immorality is not new but was adopted of wiping out religious teaching altogether. modern tendencies have made it more prevalent Pagan divinities and their amours may be glorified in the and open and less disgraceful in the eyes of youth. school- Nero, Cresar, Hannibal, Napoleon, Henry the In one city alone five tons of salacious books and Eighth-with all their human frailties, their wars and pictures, chiefly intended for boys and girls, were devastation, but the Almighty Father, the Divine Archirecently seized, while many tons more have barely tect, the Merciful Creator who holds the destiny of the escaped a similar fate. In New York certain de- American people in the hollow of His hand must not be grading "shows" have been closed but still the mentioned before an American child in an American State refuses to exercise <censorship in behalf of school. Why is it not time to make a fresh start? the youth. While we enact and enforce laws to protect physical health, lawmakers still permit The Hon. John C. Maher, Chairman of the the deadly germs of moral and spiritual diseases Parole Commission of New York, speaking of the to be spread by those who seek to grow rich there- influence of religion in the life of the criminal, said: "To me religion stands preeminently above all the police forces and all the armies that the world has ever conceived. It has an influence on by. Who can wonder at the wave of banditry, an individual that cannot be injected by a prison, murder and increasing sex crimes that have but can be injected by those who are experts in spread alarm all over the United States? the art of reaching the inner man. The aid of the [339 ]
Church and the clergy should be definitely en- Today superstitions are breaking down before listed to help solve the problem of crime." modern education; harmful social and religious customs-such as infanticide, child marriage and A member of the New York Parole Board re- the burning of widows-are outlawed by growing cently called attention to the need for cooperation. public opinion; caste is breaking before the ad- vance of modern progress and the awakening of While it is highly desirable that something be done on a the outcastes; women are coming out of purdah religious basis, practical experience shows that not much and are taking part in public life; Christ and His can be done unless the religious groups actually will be- teachings are coming to be honored by multitudes, come interested in doing something for the criminal. Judg- even of those who are still Hindus. All these ing from my personal experience of five years in New changes have come about by the patient teachings York City, in which we have dealt with now some ten or and influence of Christian missionaries and by twelve thousand cases, I believe that generally speaking the laws and education promoted by the British the individual clergymen of all the different groups are Government. definitely disinterested in the criminal. These and other signs of progress in India are Christians have tremendous opportunities and especially evident to those who have visited the duties of service which have not yet been accepted great peninsular continent at intervals during the adequately. Some of the greatest achievements past half century. Dr. John R. Mott, who has reever accomplished, not only in science and public cently returned from his fifth visit, first went out life but in religion, have been under the energy there in 1895 in the interests of the Student and leadership of youth. Jesus Christ and the Christian Movement. Again he visited India in apostles were young men; General William Booth 1901-02 to conduct an evangelistic campaign, and was a young man when he started the Salvation eleven years later to help organize the Christian Army; the Y. M. C. A. and the Student Volunteer forces of missionaries and Indian leaders. In Movement, the Missionary Education Movement, 1928-29 he went again to help interpret the J eru· and many similar activities were initiated and led salem Conference and to form the National Chrisby young men. Where are those today that will tian Council. Now he has returned from a three organize and carry forward a new Christian cru- months' visit in connection with the International sade to enlist the youth of today in the service of Y. M. C. A. Convention at Mysore. He returns Christ and their fellowmen? with great burdens on his heart for India. The new impressions he has received have brought The responsibility for the proper training of deepened convictions and a sense of wonderful youth is divided between the State, the Church opportuni ty. and the home. In most instances the influence of the State and the school is nonreligious and non- 1. There is the conviction that the work of the Christian, if not positively antireligious and anti- missionary is not yet done in India. It is only be- Christian. The churches today have little oppor- ginning and is of prime importance. With the tunity to train the youth because the breach has new constitution the land is progressing toward been widening between them. It is necessary that independence and is struggling to attain greater the clergy and Christian laity go after the youth unity and power. In view of the new possibilities and win them, rather than expect the youth gen- in material advancement in education, in ecoerally to come to the Church for instruction. But nomic, political and social life and in religious the key to the situation is the home, the funda- attitudes, it is no time for Christians to relax their mental unity of society. If the home is character- efforts. ized by unity, purity, honesty, love, joy, faith and reverence for God, and by a true understanding 2. The present-day opportunities of evangelism of Christ and His Way of Life, then there need offer a greater challenge than ever – especially be no fear as to the way youth, under the guidance among the Depressed Classes and the students. of God, will react so as to build a Christian world The Indian Church is in the midst of a five-year for tomorrow. campaign of evangelism. This calls for a clearer understanding of the needs of India and of the THE MODERN CHALLENGE OF INDIA power of Christ to meet those needs, both indi- vidual and social, temporal and eternal. India It is diffi<;ult for many today to realize the re- needs the whole Gospel adequately presented. markable changes that have come in India in the through united Christian effort. past half century. Things that were considered impossible then have now come to pass and 3. There.is the challenge presented by the Lindchanges that seemed could only be brought about say Commission to unify, extend and improve the in a century of effort are now taking place. This Christian educational work. There are today very is true in regard to religious superstitions, and unusual opportunities to reach the college students social customs, the stranglehold of caste, the low and to train them for Christian service. position of women, the immoralities of Hinduism and the strong antipathy toward Christianity.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
4. There is the challenge presented by the med- the Mexican republic have been unusually strin- gent against the practice of religion, some States ical opportunities in India. The physical needs of having enacted legislation that is a drastic at- tempt to throttle all public worship and religious millions of people are still uncared for, and the teaching.
medical missionaries are now looked up to and Certain states have limited the number of priests to about one for every 80,000 of the poptrusted by all classes. This work is practical ulation. In others, as Chiapas and Chihuahua, only one priest has been permitted for the whole Christianity that opens many closed hearts and state. Such limitation has now been declared il- legal by the supreme court of Mexico. In the case closed doors. of Roman Catholics, who form the greater part of the population, the number of priests allowed 5. The rural probtem in India presents a tre- by law has been far below the needs of the people. In at least two states, Tabasco and Campeche, mendous challenge in a country that is ninety per the law permitted only married priests to officiate in religious worship and to administer the sacracent rural. Here is a basic problem that affects ments, so that no Roman Catholic priest could celebrate mass unless he violated his oaths of the whole work. It calls for "new investigation, celibacy and broke the discipline of his Church. In Tabasco, which is perhaps the state in which agitation, experimentation and demonstration" by antireligious legislation was most extreme, church edifices have been razed, the bricks and stones those who have the best interests of India at used for paving the streets, and the sites converted into public playgrounds. Even children have been heart. obliged to take part in the public burning of cruci- fixes, and rewards have been given to those who 6. There is the challenge of the growing literacy informed against Mexicans who privately prac- ticed religion in their own homes. Now, however, and the need for good literature. With a rapidly the governor of this same state reports that he increasing number of readers, ~nd the influx of proposes to assume an "attitude of conciliation to cheap and harmful literature, Christians must the Church." So far, that conciliation is limited to granting the privilege of private devotion; provide better periodicals and books for the read- there has been no published statement lookina- toward the renewal of permission for public reing public. With a growing Church there must ligious exercises. In other states, as San Luis Potosi and Sonora and in the Federal District, be more funds provided to supply the members masses may be celebrated in most of the churches, and there seems to be a considerable relaxation with wholesome Christian reading. in the stringent enforcement of antireligious laws. In the State of Vera Cruz, some months ago, the 7. There is the challenge for an increase in the people forcibly opened the churches after a young girl had been shot by the police during a religious missionary staff in India. The economic depres- celebration. The President of the Republic sus- tained the people and the churches have remained sion has led to a decrease in workers and a con- open, although still under police surveillance.
sequent increase in the burdens borne by those Although there are indications that the rigor of the antireligious laws of Mexico is being rewho remain. While the Church of Rome is in- laxed, the concessions thus far made are of com- paratively little importance, except so far as they creasing her missionary activity, the Protestant show a desire on the part of some officials to be less strict and unreasonable. This more lenient Church is curtailing hers. There is danger that attitude may pave the way for a more liberal interpretation in the future, or for the abrogation as the older missionaries retire younger men and of legislation that has proved ineffective because obnoxious to the majority of the people. women will not be sent out'to take their places. During the period of antireligious agitation in The result will be an alarming hiatus. . Mexico, the Protestant work has suffered very 8. There is the' challenge of new opportunity for native leadership in India. At the coming Hangchow Conference in 1938 there will be fifty Indian delegates to ten missionaries. The Indian churches are eager for help and the Christians of other lands must stand by them. The National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon has now formed provincial councils that have a most important field for service – but they need help to do effective work.
India, without doubt, offers one of the greatest challenges to Christians of the present day. The progress already made, the great vital needs of the people especially along spiritual lines, the dangers that come from anti-Christian sources, the new attitude of Indians toward Christ and the Gospel, and the readiness of the Indian Church to take up the burden of responsibility-all call on the Christians of Europe and America to in- crease rather than relax prayer and sacrificial effort.
THE .CHANGING SITUATION IN MEXICO In Mexico, as in Soviet Russia, the antireligious movement seems to have lost something of its former strength and vigor. The Federal laws in
_ THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [J uly-August
little in comparison with that of the Roman Cath- social strife in America, show that it is high time olic Church. This is largely due to the fact that for the Church of Christ to reveal His power to Protestants are a small minority of the popula- transform human society as well as to save indition, their ministers are g.enerally married, they viduals. have been careful to comply with all laws affecting registration and those that regulate public The missionary work of the Church has always worship, so that foreigners have refrained from been greatly affected by the attitude of the govconducting what have been defined as religious ernments in non-Christian lands, by the social services. Recent letters from Mexico indicate conditions and customs, and by the state of relithat there are now unlimited opportunities for re- gion and the influence of religious leaders. At ligious work of all kinds, and that ministers of the same time, missionary work has greatly af- Protestant churches, even foreign missionaries, fected these phases of life. Christ desires to transmay come and go when and where they will, form politics, society and religion in order that preach and otherwise help in conducting services, all life may be brought into harmony with the without restrictions on the part of public officials. will of God. It has always been stated by government officials that the drastic legislation was not aimed at the THE EDINBURGH CONFERENCE on "Faith and Protestant minority, which has always been law- Order" (August 3-18) will emphasize the reasons abiding and in no way has tried to exercise politi- for Christian uni,ty and the beliefs held in comcal power; it was directed against those mem- mon where all followers of Christ may unite. bers of the Roman hierarchy who presumed to consider themselves above the law and refused to The first World Conference on "Faith and submit to the laws, especially that one which de- Order" was held at Lausanne, Switzerland, in manded their registration. The main object of 1927 with 400 delegates present, representing over the lawmakers, it has been asserted, was to oblige 100 churches. The delegates of Edinburgh inthe Church to limit its work to the spiritual realm, clude representatives of Protestant churches in rather than attempt to control the State, and that, many lands and also from the Greek, Armenian in so far as it has obeyed the law, there has been and Assyrian communions. no thought of persecution. Today Christianity is being challenged as never WEBSTER E. BROWNING. before since the days of Constantine. From the fourth to the twentieth centuries a steady advance PROBLEMS AT OXFORD AND EDINBURGH was made in winning the allegiance of mankind to Christ, but now tkere seems to be a renewal of While Christians are told to be "in the world activity in non-Christian and anti-Christian but not of it," that does not relieve them from re- forces. The 1937 Conference 'must be conducted sponsibility for proclaiming truth, lifting stand- in such a way as to face realistically the present ards and righting wrongs. Jesus Christ not only situation of the Church in the world. preached the Gospel but rebuked sin wherever found and helped meet the material and temporal One of the definite achievements of the Conneeds of men, as well as those that were spiritual ference ten years ago was the conviction that and eternal. unity will not come by glossing over differences of belief. Now the churches must go on to the Important conferences of Christian church task of trying to share with one another what it leaders are to be held this summer at Oxford and is that the various confessions mean until we dig Edinburgh to consider how Christians, especially down through the rocks .to the Eternal Rock. of the Protestant churches, can work together more harmoniously and effectively to give Christ The first task is to realize the urgency of the the preeminence in our thinking and in following challenge of the world situation to Christendom His teachings and spirit in every walk of life. as a whole, and in the face of that challenge to discover and accept the underlying unity which At Oxford (July 12-26) about eight hundred binds Christians together through common loyalty delegates from North America and Europe, Af- toone Master, Jesus Christ. The second task will rica, Asia and Latin America, are to gather for be to press forward to help the Christians of all two weeks in a conference on "Life and Work in churches to realize, in things both outward and the Church, the State and Society." The presiding inward, the true unity of the Body of Christ. officer will be the Archbishop of Canterbury. The main lopics to be discussed at Edinburgh The conditions in the world today clearly call are: for more effective Christian testimony. The wars that devastate Spain and the threats of more Jesus Christ and His Grace. widespread and destructive conflicts in Europe, The Church of Christ and the Word of God. Africa and Asia, and the growing industrial and The Ministry of the Church of Christ. Church Unity in Life and Worship-visible and invisible.
A VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN CENTEH AT BUCKHORN
The Girls' Dormitory (Englis Home, accommodating forty students), McKenzie Hall, and the Domestic Science Building The Murdoch Trail in Kentucky By the REV. ALVIN E. MAGARY, D.D., -<t&f Brooklyn, New York Pastor, Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church T HERE is a new state road in Kentucky, called Kentucky mountains to investigate conditions for the Murdoch Trail. the Board of Home Missions and, once having Thirty-five years ago a young Presbyterian seen the possibilities around Buckhorn, the life minister arrived at the little mountain hamlet of of an assistant minister in staid old Brooklyn was Buckhorn, Kentucky, with $250 in cash and un- far too tame. He proposed to some of the men of searchable riches in Christian faith. His name the church that they back him in a modest way was Harvey Murdoch. in a missionary adventure. They consented, and Today, Murdoch is gone, but the fruits of his since that day the people of the church have been faith remain. There is a school of 400 pupils, the main financial support of the work. Until more than half of whom are in the high school Harvey Murdoch died, in October, 1935, he came department, there is an orphanage, a hospital, a back to Brooklyn each year to tell the people how large farm on which most of the food for the things had gone in their beloved Buckhorn since school and orphanage is raised, and a church with last they saw him.
800 members. When Harvey Murdoch came to Buckhorn, Murdoch had been, for some years, a member there was no railway station within twenty-4ive of the pastoral staff of the Lafayette Avenue Pres- miles. There were no roads worthy of the name.
byterian Church, in charge of the work at the If you could afford transportation you rode on Cumberland Street Chapel. He had gone into the mule-back up the bed of the creek, realizing the [343 ]
while how much a mtile wouid 'be-impr()ved' if it a rare thing and even fUIieralsweI'EHioinftequeht could be equipped with springs. But most people as to be marked occasions. Usually, the body was walked and a tramp of thirty miles to school was put into the ground without even a prayer and not regarded as anything out of the ordinary. the funeral service was held at any time, from Conditions in that country are still primitive. The one to five years later, when a minister happened railway is still a dozen miles aw.:f1Y and the mule to be in the neighborhood.
Five years after Murdoch's coming the Buck- horn church had been organized and he was for- mally called to be its pastor at a salary of sixty dollars a year. To pay a minister anything was entirely against the traditions and practice of the people in those days. Today there is an entire Presbytery of 37 churches that has grown out of that first work. :.'Since the beginning, more than a church per year, has been organized. The first little log-house structures have been ' supplanted by buildings still extremely inexpensive and simple, but adequate and comfortable. To the eyes of some of the children from distant hamlets, children who have never seen a railway train, nor a building larger than a mountain cabin, they doubtless seem grand enough.
Buckhorn has worked a transformation in the country round about, but there is still much to be done. The old days, when the country was the scene of murderous mountain feuds, have passed, but even now the resort to gun-play is by no THE LATE HARVEY S, MURlDOCK (Grist Miu.. KEY "&Saw Mill Ir Eleeme Pta"… 10. Boys Dormitory.(, StoriQ) has by no means lost his place in the economy of life; but, when the season is not too wet, one can 2.Churth. " . Presidenb HOme . (l3tonea) get in by automobile in these days. Boys and girls still tramp over the mountains, a score of miles 3.6ymtlClsium. 12.. ReseY''Ioir. and more, at the opening of school. Sometimes a dozen of them will be brought in by truck, hav- A..LafClyette School Hell' (.t.1te'*~ 13. H~spitClI. ht St,rie') 10 Sm. ing ridden at least a part of the long way. There 14. G~ "s Home : (~t S"."'5) is often no other way to bring the sick to the hos- 5. M"nuo' Trofni"" H"JJ 15. G,,15 Dormitory. (5 St'Or,,,) pital except to carry them on a litter over the mountain trails. When the writer was there re- 6 . PrimC)1"V Hall. cently, a little procession, with mother and father leading, came in carrying a boy of six from his 7. Ki"d."fJOrt.".. 16. Oin,f't9 ,Hall. ~JL' Sto,let) home eight miles away. While we looked, as the 8. Boy~ Horne. (a 5…..iH) IT. Dome$tlc Sclenc.e. Hcdl (,a S"'lc~ little cortege stopped, we heard the mother utter a cry. Her little boy had died within a hundred e.Vie. Presidenb Home. (2 S't"'_ yards of the hospital. They had not reached it soon enough. THE BUCKHORN · PLANT In the old days freight was brought up the river in little hand-pushed boats, traveling a mile and a half an hour. For many children of the district almost no schooling was available and only one person in seven or eight was able to read or write well enough to be called literate. Harvey Murdoch was the only ordained minister of any denomination along the middle fork of the Kentucky River for 'a distance of sixty miles, from Athol to Hyden. Before his coming a religious service was
JAKE WOODS, THE OUTLAW
means a rare occurrence, particularly when plenty Church, Dr. Dinsmore, proposed that the class of mountain whiskey is mixed with the situation. undertake the support of a boy at Buckhorn. His The people are still desperately poor. The farmer proposal was adopted and the youth selected was may have ten acres, planted in corn. The arable a mountain boy, Elmer E. Gabbard. Through land runs along the creeks and is so steep that school and college and theological seminary they much of it can be cultivated only by hand. Many stood by him. Now, after a successful ministry, of the parents of the young people at Buckhorn he has left the pastorate of the North Side Preshave the best will possible toward the idea of edu- byterian Church of Chattanooga and has gqne cating their boys and girls but it is impossible for back to Buckhorn. He knows the people and them to pay as much as ten dollars a year for tui- they know him, and we may believe that he will tion. Yet the school takes them, so far as its carryon the work to yet more notable achievestraining capacity will permit. They work on the ments. farm, in the kitchen, everywhere; they do the baking, the cleaning, the plowing and harvesting. In these thirty-five years 6,000 persons have They are busy from dawn until night, with neces- professed their faith in Christ and 4,000 young sary time for rest and recreation. No busier, hap- people have been educated in this work started by pier, more attractive lot of young people will you a young man with $250, some good friends, and a see anywhere. They come out of poverty-stricken resolute faith in God. The influence of Buckhorn mountain cabins, knowing as little of the civilized is felt throughout the state of Kentucky and it world as a squirrel and, after a term of years at was a proper tribute to its founder that the state Buckhorn, go back as teachers, doctors, leaders in road passing near by was named "The Murdoch their communities, to change the whole aspect of Trail." It leads to Buckhorn; but the trail of life among their neighbors. Harvey Murdoch leads straight to Him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the One Sunday, some years ago, the leader of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Men's Bible Class in the Lafayette Avenue me."
Jake Woods, the Outlaw* By J. S. BURNETT, Chattanooga, Tennessee Superintendent, Tennessee Mountain Home Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church O NE night high up in the Smoky Mountains other preacher ever had; you must try to save of Tennessee I was lost in a snowstorm. Jake Woods." Though I was frozen into unconsciousness, my horse carried me to a house. When conscious- How should I begin ? Jake was sitting before ness began to dawn again, I heard a fire cracking the wide fireplace as I packed my saddlebags. I and looking up saw a bearded man bending over, walked over to him. Taking a bill from my pocket, swearing because I would not open my mouth to I said, "Mr. Woods, I regret to offer you so little admit the neck of a bottle. In the moment of when you and your good wife have done so much delirium, I thought I was dead. for me, but this is a little expression of my ap- preciation for what you have done. I could not When my senses returned, I recognized the man pay you even if I were rich." asa notorious outlaw, with a price on his head, a man who had vowed that physical violence would He looked me over from head to foot with asfall heavily on any preacher who dared to enter tonishment. his house. "Put up your money, Doc," he said; "what we My rescuer and his wife did everything possible done for you was because we wanted to be clever for me. When bedtime came, he took me in bed to you. If you had come to my house last night with him and held me .against his great warm as a preacher, I would have turned you away in breast all night, never relaxing his vigilance for the storm and been glad if you were frozen to a moment. In the morning, I was little the worse death. Twenty odd years ago, when the Almighty for my experience, but the sun shone and the snow took our little boy, our only child, I swore that no was melting, and I was ready to go. Then it was man representing Him should ever come under that a Voice said, "You have a chance that no my roof. I kept my word till last night, but when your horse brought you I couldn't turn you away. • Condffilsed from The ahri8t~an Advocate. Now, you can go and have it to say that you have stayed all night with Jake Woods."
His last sentence was hissed through clenched I gave him the book and turned away saying, teeth. I never saw a man look so fierce. I had that his ','old woman" might come to hear me failed, so I picked up my saddlebags from the bedside and started toward the door. But some preach when I returned to the Flats School House. Power gripped my conscience like steel. "You Several times before I had preached at the Flats must try it again," the unmistakable order came. to but a few good souls, but when I arrived this I walked the floor, trying to find a ship to time the whole schoolyard seemed to be covered Tarshish, but none was in sight. I was sure that with people. The first man who gripped my hand, Jake guessed what I was suffering but he never until I thought I would fall off my horse, was Jake turned his head. Finally, I walked over to him Woods. "Doc, I fetch 'em," was his greeting. again, and with voice trembling from emotion, I said, "Mr. Woods, I have a little book that I want I walked into the schoolhouse. The women were to read and talk to a Friend of mine before I go, on one side of the aisle. On the end of the second will you let me?" He turned in his chair with his bench from the front there was one who caught back to me. His wife, sitting in the corner, said, my coat sleeve as I passed. It was Nancy Woods, "Doc, it's all right; go ahead." I began reading at church for the first time in more than twenty that wonderful fifteenth chapter of Luke, about the one sheep that had strayed, but was found. years. "Doc," she said, "there is something the matter There was the story of the Prodigal Son, too. When he came home, in tatters within and with- with Jake." out, his father was so happy that he would gladly "What like?" I asked. have killed everything on the place to make merry "I don't know, but he hain't like he used to be because his son had come home; maybe to spend some more. since you were there. He's been real good to me. Doc, please call for mourners today; maybe Just then I looked out of the corner of my eye Jake'll go up." and Jake Woods had turned around and was looking' at me with eager interest, as much as to say, The tears came to my eyes as I walked to the "Why are you talking about me?" He had sneered table and laid my saddlebags down. Jake Woods in the messenger's face who came when his father had beaten that woman almost to death once bewas dying and begged his son to come home. cause she had given a coin to a preacher. Many I dropped on my knees and took hold of God times he had driven her off in the storm. Once, while I tried to reach Jake Woods with one hand, but he was too far away. I held on until I re- in a drunken delirium, he had thrown her in the membered that the sin of lacking hospitality is fire. Now, she had been in heaven for three whole unpardonable with us in the Southern mountains. I said, "0 God; I came here more dead than alive weeks! last night, and this man and his good wife took The men came, with Jake Woods at their head, me in and nursed me back to life, and now they refuse to accept anything for their kindness. But walking like he was on air. Just behind him was Jesus Christ has stood at their door, ever since an old soldier of the Civil War, hopping on a stiff they have had a house, with outstretched hands knee. He hadn't been ih church since the war bleeding, and with thorncrowned brow, and they have slammed the door in His face. Help Jake closed. Woods sat on the end of the front bench Woods to tell Jesus Christ to come in today." and the old soldier by his side.
When I got up, Woods was sitting on the floor, The house was full of the good and the bad. looking at the door. I followed his gaze but saw The sermon that I had prepared would not fit, so nothing except the open door, with sunshine and I took for my text, "The Son of man is come to melting snow. After a minute, he said, to Someone apparently in the door, "Come in." Then seek and to save that which was lost." turning to me, he added: "He came in," as much as to say, "You can't throw it up to me any more." One standing by that·table at my side, preached that day, with convincing power. When I left the cabin Jake followed me to the gate. "Doc," he asked, "have you another of those When I let down the net, Jake Woods sprang to little books like you read out of awhile ago? My his feet and went down the aisle, speaking in a pap used to read about that boy and I guess I've voice that drowned mine: "Men and women come been him. If you'll lend me one and turn down a on! Doc's telling you the truth for I saw that leaf, I might find someone to read, and I think I Man when Doc prayed in my house. When I would like to hear it again." opened my eyes, He was standing in the door, with His hands stretched out and there were holes in them with blood running out. I saw thorns on His head, too. I told Him to come in and He came and I haven't been the same man since." , They came until it seemed that all would come. The result was thirty-five candidates for baptism.
Jake Woods went out to exhort and save the peo- ple of his acquaintance, and he reached more of that class in two years than I could have reached in a lifetime.
Some Rural Churches Are
By W. H. THOMPSON, Columbus, Ohio Field Secretary, Ohio Council of Churches SCATTERED widely over. the land are out- meetings, such as Day of Prayer for Missions, standing examples of what Christ can do for Youth conferences, annual business meetings, and country people through pastors who have social fellowship and creative leisure activities.
been born of His spirit of sacrificial service, and The pastor and his coworkers, the Rev. Rowland who have been endowed with consecrated intelli- Jones and Miss Elizabeth Streid, share their time gence. They have been scientifically trained, and in personal and pastoral parish visitation, each have answered the Divine call to country fields as church sharing in financial support according to foreign missionaries have dedicated their lives to ability. The pastor joins with pastors of other Africa, Asia, or the Islands of the Sea. denominations of the area in community-wide Parish of Templed Hills projects of religious and social welfare. He co- operates with the Agricultural Extension Service, Until eleven years ago when this parish was Farmers Institutes, Four-H Clubs, public school organized, there were in the region near Oak Hill, leadership and the county ministerial association.
southeastern Ohio, from eight to twenty Welsh "As prosperity seems again to be coming upon Presbyterian churches on a circuit served by a us," says Mr. Bicksler, "and the cities are beck- group of ministers, each living on a farm or hav- oning our youth to jobs, we feel we can send them ing some other occupation. with a background of respect for the church, be- Urider the advice and counsel of the late Warren cause locally the church has kept abreast of other H. Wilson, six of these churches and a mission things such as the schools and adequate equip- chapel were brought into a definite cooperative ment. Though we cannot expect to keep all of parish relationship with two pastors and a full- our youth on the farm, we can, with our spirit, time social worker. program and equipment, at least prepare them Five years ago the Rev. Harry E. Bicksler* was as Christians and church leaders." t· .
called as director of the Parish of Templed Hills. Ohristian Fellowship Parish At his coming the churches cooperatively purchased a fourteen-acre tract of land in the open A second example of the transforming power country, including five acres of dense thicket and of Christ in village and rural communities in Ohio a fine piece of clover mea,dow. Under Mr. Bick- through cooperation of a group of churches is sler's direction, a modern manse with every con- found in "The Christian Fellowship Parish" in venience was built, the thicket was transformed the southwestern part of the State. Six Christianinto a picnic grove in which a shelterhouse was Congregational churches entered into a "Parish erected, with table and kitchen equipment, with a Fellowship" two years ago under the joint passeating capacity of 600, for use by local organiza- toral leadership of the Rev. Ralph A. Brandon as tions, and as a meeting place for youth training Minister of Parish Administration, residing at conferences for southeastern Ohio. Hamersville, and the Rev. Theron A. Zimmerman as minister of Christian Education, residing at Each church in the Parish is organized and Pt. Isabel. cares for its own local business. There are three councils-the Elders' Council, Council of Women, The constitution under which these churches and Council of Youth. Parish Trustees are the work includes the following: holders of property which is owned jointly by all the churches. There is also a parish Federated Believing that friendly cooperation between our several churches in their religious, moral and social work would make possible a program of Christian activities that would Flower and Garden Club. The manse and the vitally strengthen the Kingdom of God in our several com- parish grove are used as a central meeting place munities, bring about a more efficient church and i:>etter build into the lives of our people the teachings of Jesus for the councils, and as a center for various group Christ and the principles of the Christian Church, we, the • Mr. Bicksler had completed a term of service in a Home Mis- following churches . . . do hereby pledge our loyal supsion Rural Parish in the far West, had been sent by his Board of port to the following Constitution and By-Laws. . . . National Missions to Europe to visit the great rural parishes of the ~~~~~~~?tt{es~nd had spent a year in graduate work in one of our pa~i~r'Or~:~~r~ 1r7Ils~,~ory is published in his recent book, "The [347 ]
The object of this organization shall be to promote the now joint studies are being made by all the pas- Kingdom of God through systematic and persistent meth- tors of the area, exploring the possibility of enods of Christian education, evangelism, worship, and com- larging the parish group to include churches of munity services; and to bring about a better religious, other denominations. Here again is a case of moral, and social atmosphere in our communities through especially trained pastoral leadership for the pasthe coordination of our efforts. tors are dedicated to town and country work, backed up by their national and state denomina- A Council, consisting of six representatives tional Councils, and have in their hearts the Spirit from each church, six members at large, and one of the Christ who "came not to be ministered unto, representative from each denomination included but to minister." in the Parish, chosen by the State head of that denomination, and the members of the staff, meets Example number three is the Federated Church quarterly and acts as the executive body. in the village of North Jackson, in. northeastern Ohio. More than ten years ago the Spirit of Christ moved the hearts of the denominational leaders and the members of three of the four local churches-Church of Christ (Disciples), Presby- terian, and Reformed in the U. S., to recognize the sin of local competition and division, and to work out a plan of union whereby the three churches united under the leadership of one pastor.
Each church retains its denominational connec- tion and benevolence contributions are divided equally among the three State and national offices. The Presbyterian building was selected ·as the place for united public worship. Sunday school classes use the public school classrooms. The Church of Christ building is used for Women's So- . ciety activities. The Reformed Church building is being razed and materials used to enlarge the Presbyterian building.
The present university trained pastor, the Rev. James D. Wyker, was formerly a member of the staff of Groton Larger Parish, New York. He came five years ago and under his dynamic lead- ership, and that of his unsalaried wife, a varied program of constructive Christian leadership is being developed with the many groups in the com- munity.
Horse-sheds Transformed ELDERS' COUNCIL, PARISH OF THE TEMPLED HILLS Two features of the program at North Jackson are worthy of special attention. A camp has been A program of systematic pastoral visitation, developed in a natural beauty spot, with creek, regulaz: Sunday school and worship services, an- woods and hills, with cabin, mess-hall and craft nual .evangelistic meetings and preaching mis- shop, vesper spot and recreation field. Here local sions, vacation church schools, youth activities, groups, including youth and farm women, asleadership training institutes and mission study, semble during the summer for from two to fiveis provided for each church. day- courses of study of the Bible, personal and community problems, recreational leadership, and A mimeograph machine, owned cooperatively, for social fellowship. The camp is also used for is used to publish a parish paper and by it the community picnics and family reunions. reports of all departments and committees are made available to all members. Was it not the Spirit of Christ who inspired the men of the church and community to dismantle These pastors cooperate with pastors of the the obsolete .horse-sheds of the Disciple's church' other churches in the area so that the program and use the materials in the construction of the for the whole community is coordinated. Even camp mess-hall and craft shop and the bridge leading to vesper hill?
As an expression of the ideal of Christian unity in local community Kingdom building, Mr. Wyker
AWAY WITH SORCERY AND MURDER IN PAPUA
has helped to develop a community coordinating absent in parsonages, and parish travel obligacouncil of character building agencies in North tions ten times greater than that of the average Jackson. Frank study of local problems has been city pa~tor. undertaken and allocation of responsibility for service programs has been made looking toward Through the le:;tdership of these pastors, town wise use of available resources and talent. and country youth are being won to Christ through evangelism and religious teaching, and The pastor also has assisted in developing "folk schools" for the study and practice of the prin- HORSE SHED TRANSFORMIDD INTO MESS HALL ciples of Christian cooperatives in his own and AND CRAFT SHOP neighboring communities. He is one of the vicepresidents of the Ohio Pastors' Convention and a are trained in the Christian use of leisure time member of -the executive committee of the Ohio and in high civic and economic and social ideals. Rural Pastors' Summer School maintained at Neighborhood feuds are being healed by their Camp Ohio by the Extension Service of the Col- ministry; lonely souls are befriended; comfort lege of Agriculture of Ohio State University. and counsel is brought to the sorrowing and the disillusioned. Churches having fallen into dis- The picture would not be complete if recogni- repute are being restored to the respect and contion were not given to scores of high-minded and fidence of their communities. devoted town and country pastors and their wives who, without special technical training of colleges and seminaries, never-the-less by diligent reading and frequent attendance at summer schools, short courses, and rural institutes, have kept abreast of the times in techniques and programs and ideals of religious education, youth activities, community cooperation with public schools, the Grange, Farm Bureau, Four-H Clubs, and Boy and Girl Scouts. They have served wisely and effectively in fields where the odds and handicaps have been terrific, salaries inadequate, modern home conveniences Away With Sorcery and Murder in Papua* A Story of the Work of God Under the Kwato Mission of Papua T HE Bohutu Valley, in Eastern Papua, long grasped him by the wrist, crying, "What are you presented a problem which no Government doing?" forces could solve. Fear of sorcery and spirits had led to the complete depopulation of the It was Lobai, the sorcerer, who was out to do valley, the tribes having fled to live in small the village policeman to death that night. Think- ing Merari was another sorcerer he pleaded for groups in the mountains around. No offers would his life, but Merari explained that he did not want possibly induce them to return to their villages. to harm" him. He told him about God, and ar- Reason is helpless before fear in Papua as in ranged to meet him next day at the village. Be- Europe. . fore the night was out he had surprised two other It was Merari, a tall, athletic Papuan of twenty- sorcerers on similar errands and arranged to meet eight, who first saw how these deep-seated prob-_ them the next day as well. lems could be answered. God told him in his time When they met at the village, two of the sorof listening to go up into the valley and investigate. So he went and lived in one of the villages. cerers immediately produced their ginauri, de- stroyed them, and gave their lives to God. But One evening he was out in the bush, and, as he Lobai held back, the sacrifice being too great. walked, heard some one approaching along the Then Merari did a daring thing. "We'U put it to track from the opposite direction. Stepping off the test," he said. "You say your charms are the track he waited, and as the man passed strong; I say God is stronger. Over there is the • From the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society Quarterly. This platform on which I sleep. You may come tonight Mission, founded by the late Rev. Charles W. Abel, has American headquarters at 156 Fifth Ave., New York. and put any charm on me you like. Then we will
see which is the stronger." Lobai hesitated, then life has been changed the death-blow to adultery answered slowly: "No, you are right. I tried has come because the sexual life of the natives is them all last night. But every time I threw my God-guided and released.
magic at you it came back at me." So he too was Eighteen months ago it became clear that new changed, and is one of the most fearless leaders ground must be found for the activities of the in the valley today. teams already mobilized. The Abels were granted Merari immediately sent an S 0 S to Kwato, permission to take on the mountain district of and a team came up to help him. They stayed a Abau, where the tribes still practice their homi- month, moving from group to group, bringing a cidal customs. Before a man was considered new life to hundreds in personal interviews. Some eligible for marriage he had to have killed or time later thirteen sorcerers and sorceresses came helped to kill some one. "Every male I met,"
to Mr. Cecil Abel of the Kwato Mission, and vol- writes Mr. Abel, "-and I met a great many-had unteered to give themselves up to the Government, served sentences of between two and ten years for sorcery being a punishable offence. The Governor murder."
pardoned them, and none of them have gone back Here the tribes have no background of teaching to their old ways. In the same way those changed whatever. No missionary had ever been into the in the little hamlets in the mountains received area. Everyone predicted the greatest difficul- spontaneous guidance to return to the valleys. ties, but when Cecil Abel went in with a team of Their fear had disappeared. Now they are gath- Papuan leaders the response was immediate. The ering into three large villages. The Government patrol lasted threll1 weeks, and at the end of that Patrol visiting the valley recently said that they time five chiefs came together, said how they could not recognize the place; the people and the agreed with the new way of life, but wanted to distribution of them had changed so utterly. see how it was lived out in the villages of the After four years the new life is increasingly Kwato district. "Only send a messenger," they active. A new corporate life is developing. In said, "and we will come down to you."
some villages the day starts with the blowing of When Abel sent for them, not five but forty a conch-shell in the dark morning stillness. A wanted to make the three days' journey to the sleeping village rouses itself and goes to bathe- coast. Only six could then be accommodated, but a reform which neither Government nor mission- for two months these chiefs mingled in the vilary could ever have enforced. Half an hour later lages and watched the everyday life of the inanother note on the shel.!, followed by complete habitants. When the time came to return home silence for about half an hour, indicates that the they got together for a farewell party, and Bawhole village is having a quiet time of listening ruma, their leader, made this speech: "The Govto God. Twice or thrice a week they meet cor- ernment tried to make friends with us, inviting porately as a community. us to feasts and 'Christmases' at Abau, but we It was in this way that guidance came to one went back unchanged. Then they took us off to previously poverty-stricken village to make one jail, four, five, six years. We didn't mind. Gov- corporate holding of all the land where their crops ernment rice and biscuits are very good. We were produced. Private interests gave way vol- came back unchanged. At last God's children untarily to community guidance, and the village came out of love for us and changed us right flourishes. Another village was guided to give round inside. Your food ·at Kwato is very good, its large surplus of produce in a bumper year to but we have good food too in Dorevaidi. We another village that was hard hit by a local bad haven't come for that. Your schools and works harvest. The men loaded their canoes, and the are very good. We would like to learn too, but we emotions of generosity and gratitude produced haven't come for that. We have only come for more spontaneous delight than the old communal one thing. To learn about God. Our hearts are orgies, for which the appetite has been lost. burning to go back and tell our friends all we In another community a common pool of coco- have learnt."
nuts, the only form of capital the native possesses, The true task has just begun. In Kwato are be- was made to inaugurate a new corporate manage- ing trained leaders adequate to changed the whole ment of the village consequent upon the change in course of Papuan life, while in the district itself the individuals composing it. The damage done the way is clear for a God-directed civilization to'
by civilization has been in some measure repaired. come into being. For the changing of lives is but Adultery, which was unknown under the old tribal the clearing of the undergrowth and the setting morality, became common when these ancient of firm foundations on which God may build a sanctions were removed, and the only penalty was culture of amazing richness, perhaps the pattern a fine. In many villages where the community for the Pacific.
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KWANG .TUNG PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF KWANGSI, SOUTHWEST CHINA The Chcistian and Missionary Alliance has ten centers where 26 missionaries reside; in thirty other towns and cities chapels have been opened, lllanned by Chinese Christian workers.
Nine other societies are at work in the Province: Church Missionary Society (Kweilln); C. of E. Zenana Mission (Kweilln); Bible Churchman's Missionary Society (Nanning, Noming); Southern Baptist (Kweilin, Wuchow); Seventh Day Adventist (Nanning); Assemblies of God (Chungshan and Hohsien- both vacant); Independent (Wuchow, Kwelhsien). These societies report 34 missionaries.
Pioneering for Christ in Kwangsi By the REV. ALFRED C. SNEAD, New York I Foreign Secretary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance 11i- ~==========================~ SOME years ago Old Eagle, a Chwang tribes- but still earnest and active, has been tramping man of the Province of Kwangsi, southern over the mountains and hills as a colporteur of China, came with ten other men from their the British and Foreign Bible Society, visiting the country homes to the city of Liuchow. There they wildest parts, wherever he could find members of heard the Gospel message. As he listened to the his own tribe. The Lord has blessed his efforts Gospel night after night Old Eagle accepted and a number of his people have been converted Christ and the joy of salvation filled his heart. and are now faithful members of the Christian He became eager that his own Chwang people Church. should hear the Good News and later accompanied The large southern Province of Kwangsi was the missionary on many tours of exploration and formerly one of the most backward in China. In preaching trips. There are nearly three million recent years, however, the province has become of these tribesmen in the Province and for the one of the more advanced in education, enlightpast few years Old Eagle, now seventy years old ened government, engineering projects, and the [351 ]
building of roads. The honor of having one of there is now a membership of more than 320 the first resident missionaries in the then hostile Chwang tribesmen in the Alliance Mission in and forbidden Province of Kwangsi fell to the South China. On an 800-mile trip in Western Christian and Missionary Alliance when its mis- Kwangsi, the .missionaries and Chinese found that sionary entered Wuchow in 1896 and resided in a thousands in the country markets could under- "haunted house," the only place then available stand scarcely a sentence of Mandarin, the pre- for residence. vailing language being Chwang. The Yao is one The city of Wuchow was built in A. D. 592, so of the least known and most primitive of the tribes that more than 1,300 years passed before the and there are many subdivisions. The Tung Church of Christ began to fulfil' the Lord's com- tribes, estimated at 300,000, live in the wild moun- mand, so far as Kwangsi was concerned. Today, tain fastnesses of Kwangsi and the neighboring besides the Alliance, the Southern Baptists and Province of Kweichow. These people, among two other American societies, there are four Eng- whom a missionary couple and Chinese workers lish societies, and a few small independent groups have been ministering for six years, listen to the working in the province. The Bible Societies are Gospel eagerly and some have accepted Christ.
Various divisions of the Miao tribes are scattered through the northern and western parts of the Province· and some of these, as well as other less well-known tribes, are being brought to the atten- tion of the Mission through long and often la- borious itinerating trips into hitherto unreached territory. The spirit of those who make these trips is shown in a letter written by the intrepid pioneer, Rev. W. H. Oldfield, the Chairman of the Alliance Mission in South China: "Here we are in the wilds of the west ready to start out with a party of thirteen for a tour among the tribesmen. The whole trip has been a time of blessing. First, we made a tour in the moun- tains of the north, which is commonly called Miao- land. There we came in contact with six differ- ent tribes, two of which we had never seen before.
The Gospel message was given and tracts .were left among them and we trust that this seed will be watered by the Spirit and will bring forth an abundant harvest to the glory of God.
Photo by A. F. Desterhajt "On the entire journey of over 1,000 English TUNG WOMEN OF KiWANGSI miles on foot through all kinds of mountain ter- cooperating with the various missions in circu- ritory, we were led in safety, but the very last lating the Word of God. Today after more than day, when almost within shouting distance of the forty years, there are still millions in the province city of Poseh, we were held up by robbers and two who have not been brought into vital touch with of the three loads we were carrying, containing the Gospel of Christ; and in the northern and bedding and clothing, were taken from us by these western portions of the province, where the Al- evil men. It occurred the day before Christmas. liance is responsible for evangelizing the people, It seems strange that this term of service should wany.tribes are entirely unreached. begin and end with a highway robbery, but I am glad we still have clothing. We do not change our During the past few years, pioneering trips plans, but in spite of somewhat disturbed condihave brought to light many tribespeople in the tions, we plan to leave day after tomorrow for the fastnesses of the mountains and the valleys of the last few weeks among the tribesmen of the west, interior, and these the mission and the Chinese and we trust through the prayers of faithful Church are making earnest efforts to reach. friends that we may be saved from further ·The population of Kwangsi is approximately trouble, though trouble or not we go forward in 12,000,000, according to the latest government His Name to the many peoples of the west that census. There are believed to be at least 5,000,000 have not yet heard the saving message of the tribespeople in the Province. The Chwangs, Gospel."
members of the great Tai race, are the most nu- With the growth of the Chinese Church in merous and easy of access. One hundred mem- Kwangsi, there has been a very encouraging debers of this tribe were baptized last year and velopment along true indigenous principles. Mis-
PIONEERING FOR CHRIST IN KWANGSI
RED-HEADED YAOS OF THE LOH-LI AND SI-LIU DISTRICTS, MR, YUEN, THE' EVANGELIST FROM POSEH, IS STANDING, HOLDING HIS ACCORD'EON siOonaries and Chinese workers are earnestly the church treasurer a sack of pennies amounting laboring to make the Church fully self-supporting, to $5.00, hOoping that other members might be wisely self-governing, and zealously self-propa- stimulated by his example, so that they could have gating under the leadership and by the enabling their own building. Mrs. Tseng, the treasurer, of the Holy Spirit. had a flourishing business and every comfort, yet she gave nothing. She was ashamed as she gazed When a congregation is able to supply six- on the sacrificial offering and a few days later she tenths of all its running expenses, including sal- left her shop and hurried off to see Dr. Moh, a aries, it passes from the oversight of the Joint prosperous man and a member of the church com- Committee (Chinese and Mission Executive Com- mittee. She Ooffered to give a plot Oof land fOor the mittee) to the direction of the Chinese Commit- building and to help buy the brick and lumber, if tees. The goal is to attain full self-support within Dr. Moh would take time to direct the workmen. four years after the church has become sixty per cent self-supporting. Finally a spacious street chapel was completed and furnished. The prosperous members felt a One group of Christians in the inland town of little ashamed of their ragged brother Lan and Kong Cheng rented a building as a chapel but urged him to wear better clothes. He quietly rethey often had to change their place of meeting plied that he had frequently been tempted to buy because the landlords blamed them for any calam- clothes but that he felt he must lay aside his penity that might befall their households. Finally nies for the church. As Dr. MOoh listened and Mr. Lan, one of the poorest of the members of remembered that he himself wore silk and fur the church, declared that they must build their garments while his brother member WOould not ownchapel. Daily he prayed to God to help him even buy a cheap padded gown because he was so think of some plan by which he might save money intent on His Lord's interests, Dr. Moh invited for the building. His fOOod was only such as the the poor man tOo his home where he gave him a poorest of men could affOord even in China, but good hot meal and a new gown. His son also was finally he and his wife decided to eat less and lay given work in the doctOor's office. NOoW a happier aside a few pennies saved from time to time. The man than Brother Lan can scarcely be found in poor man's body was weakened from the lack of all the countryside. He and his fellow church nourishing food and he was often chilled because members have found that giving is the Father's of insufficient clothing, yet he rejoiceq as his sav- way to added blessing. ings grew. After several months he brought to
Eleven organized churches, with a total mem- provided by the converts for continued meetings bership of 993, are now under the direction of the before the Bands have finished their ministry in Chinese committee. The combined membership the section. of all the Alliance churches in Kwangsi is 2,539 and many of these are expected to come into full In recent tours in Kwangsi and Kweichow, seven counties have been traversed, great moun- tain ranges were crossed, where the foot of a white man had never tramped. Thus, the search for new tribes and peoples goes ever onward in the confidence that, when they are discovered, mis- sionary volunteers will not be lacking and through the prayers and assistance of loyal friends at home, earnest efforts will be made to reach these tribes with the Gospel message.
One of the encouraging discoveries of recent trips is that a number of the tribes can be reached through the Chwang dialect, the Chwang workers had no difficulty in being understood by the vil- lagers and people along the pathways to whom they spoke.
During one part of the trip, four tribes were found of which the missionary writes: "The Heh-i, the Loh-Loh, the Ta Pan Yao and the Lan Tien Yao are still practically as much A CHWANG WOMAN AND HER BABY relation with the Chinese Conference within two MR. LAN, FORMER TAOIST PRIEST, NOW or three years. AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN The great unevangelized Yao Mountain terri- He is seated beside; some of the idols that he formerly worshiped. tory in Kwangsi, with its many thousands of unreached tribesmen has been entered by repre- neglected as they were a thousand years ago. It sentatives of the Chinese Church as their field for is true some Gospels and tracts have been distribevangelization. The Church publishes the Al- uted to some of them, but they have not as yet liance Weekly in Chinese, Sunday school papers, had an opportunity to hear and understand the and other helpful literature. Some of these have Gospel. On this tour we determined to get in a circulation reaching into nearly every province of China, as well as into foreign countries where Chinese have emigrated.
The Bible Training School, under Chinese leadership, often has among its student body representatives from many other missionary societies and church groups. It is recognized to be of a high standard and absolutely loyal to the Word of God and the fundamental truths of our Christian faith. Two important phases of work are the Short Term Bible Schools held in various districts and the ministry of the Chinese Evangelistic Bands who labor both among the Chinese and the tribespeople. In one month members of one of these Bands gave a brief Gospel message in 1800 homes and preached in all the towns and villages of the section in which it was laboring. In some places the work of the Bands is so fruitful that several groups of converts are baptized and places
PlWto by A CHWANG TRIBESMAN'S HOME IN THE' MOUNTAINS-HERE A MISSIONARY OFTEN SPENDS THE NIGHT. PIGS AND COWS ARE FREE TO ENTER THE FRONT DOOR ON THIID GROUND FLOOR.
close contact with them. On other trips we have long so as to discourage travelers, especially met them on the mountain pathways and have soldiers or robbers, from going that way. Though found them usually timid and retiring. On this the Miao carrier did not wish to continue the trip, however, we left the main pathways, secured journey, the Commission of the Lord still reads guides to take us back behind the mountain ranges "unto the uttermost part" and so the messengers to where the tribesmen have their homes, lived pressed on. Tribes in these distant places are with them in their huts, ate with them, slept with them, sat with them around their' camp fires, almost 100 % illiterate so the Gospel must be given dressed their sores, bound up their wounds, and told them the story of the Gospel. In a few days them by word of mouth. they became so friendly that they flocked around How do the tribespeople respond to the Gospel us as if we belonged to their tribe; when we left one tribe to pass on to another, there was a hearty message? A Tung tribesman, having been told invitation to call again, and we felt that another that a strange white man who loved his people tribe was ready and waiting to receive the Gospel was living in a distant town, left his mountain when we have men to send and means to support home and came to the city where he cautiously inthem." quired for the missionary. That tribesman is now studying the Word of God and looking forward to The Timber Yao people differ noticeably from the time when he can tell his ownpeople the glad other tribes in their language and in the women's new Story which he has so recently heard. Many dress. Their houses are scattered in groups of who hear the Message are eager to tell it to their two to five, with only an occasional small village. people in the scattered villages, and they find a The women of this tribe, as well as the Miao and hearty welcome as they sit around the camp fire Tung tribes, wear trousers instead of pleated evenings and tell to their friends and neighbors skirt like those worn in other tribes. Their silver the story of God's redeeming love. ornaments include a number of Hongkong coins, beaten plates of silver and earrings. Another young Tung from the hills of Kwangsi, who had studied in the City of Canton, returned to After passing through a valley, far beyond the his mountain home among fellow tribesmen, and contacts of civilization, the party came to a moun- was so oppressed by the dullness of his surroundtain pass where the natives had spiked the road ings that he planned to seek escape through suiwith sharp spikes of bamboo four to six inches cide. Then it was that a Chinese preacher, Mr. Loh, visited the village and gave the young stu- dent some Christian books. Through reading
these, a desire was created to know more of the This answer to prayer made a powerful impres- Gospel and finally the young man expressed his sion, not only on the sick man's household, but purpose to follow Christ and to become a teacher also on many other members of his tribe. They of the Gospel to his own tribesmen. had never seen prayer answered in this fashion and reasoned, "If the Lord can answer prayer in Through the witness of two Chwang converts, this way, surely we ought to trust Him for the Mr. Lan, formerly a Taoist priest, and Mt. Chiu salvation of our souls and our future happin!,!ss." Tak-sun, an earnest Christian farmer, a consider- Before long about forty of the tribespeople asked able number of Chwang tribespeople have been to be enrolled as inquirers and from this number converted, twenty-seven being baptized on one twenty-seven were baptized. occasion. Mr. Chiu constantly urged his tribespeople to accept this Jesus who worked such won- Many similar instances could be given as eviders when on earth and who is still the same dence of the saving grace of God among the tribestoday. people of Kwangsi. Millions of Chinese and tribespeople are yet unreached and the Mission One day a neighbor became very ill and the with its thirty-four missionaries and the 102 sickness increased in severity until the family Chinese wor-kers, 29 of whom are women, have a feared that he was going to die. After tribal large task before them. We commend to the remedies had failed, the family sent for Mr. Chiu, Lord's people for prevailing prayer these earnest who went at once to the sick man's bedside. After missionaries and Chinese workers that, as the exhorting the family to cast away their idols and new-born souls are instructed in the essential trust alone in Christ, the Christian farmer kneeled truths, they may be established in the Christian down and prayed to God for the tribesman's re- life and become effective witnesses to their fellow covery. The next morning he was much better tribesmen. and in a few days he was well.
China and the New Life Movement* CHINA'S present attitude toward religion and nificant Easter message is significant of the atti- toward Christ is somewhat confused. Con- tude some of China's leading spirits take toward fucian ideals, though a factor in the New religion. The country is more widely open to Life Movement, do not function religiously any religious propaganda than ever before. Though more than they ever did. China does not promise there may be some discrimination against gradto be more Buddhist than at any time past, nor uates from unregistered Christian schools there is is it turning Christian. To promote religion in none against qualified Christians for important China is no easier or simpler than in "Christian" governmental and commercial agencies. Furthernations. Nevertheless, the attitude of China to- more, there is apparent a desire for Christian day toward religion is different from what it has and church cooperation in reconstructive projects been in the past. No religious system is receiving that implies recognition of the religious dynamic the special favor of the state, nor is the state at- as one of the essentials to China's rebuilding. In tacking religion. Prominent Chinese, including other words, China has passed from a mood ansome Christians, do not in their attitude distin- tagonistic to religion. guish as sharply between Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and Buddhism as some Christians Present-day China is more aware of religion might wish. Official courtesies are paid to rep- than once was the case. There is an inarticulate resentatives of all religions when occasion re- feeling that economic, social and political changes quires. One hears little discussion of religious are not enough. Thus for all kinds of aggressive liberty yet it seems to be a fact in China though religious movements the hour is propitious. some deem it infringed upon as regards educational freedom. China is not aggressively anti- Three years is too short a time in which to religious at the moment. judge the New Life Movement which has set itself a stupendous task under unusually difficult cir- There is something to be said of a seeming cumstances. It is not an organization but a movefriendliness on the part of China to religion. ment. It cannot be judged solely in terms of its High officials participated in the platform ad- purpose- and a summary of its achievements bedresses given before a Catholic Action Congress longs to the future. Nevertheless, it has moved a year or so ago. General Chiang Kai-shek's sig- forward as regards the clarification of its purpose and understanding of what it should aim to do in • The first part of this article is freely quoted from an editorial terms of reconstruction. Taken generally it is in The Chinese Recorder. "An attack on the fundamental moral problem in
THE MOVEMENT OFFICIALLY DESCRIBED
China's social life." As a matter of fact insofar as program are already cooperating with the New the Movement tries to reform manners it has both Life Movement. All churches not so engaged to curb the exuberance of modernized Chinese might well consider how they may participate. manners and jar the inertia out of traditional What can Christians add to the New Life Moveones. In some places, however, the Movement ment is a question. But cooperation in any field has disturbed gamblers and those promoting com- can only be worthwhile if it is reciprocal. So the mercialized vice to the point where they have question, What can the New Life Movement conurged that the Movement should show less zeal. tribute to the churches? needs also to be consid- This is an indication of its possibilities as a moral ered. The Movement provides an opening for the force. The program outlined indicates how the manifestation of the religious dynamic hardly Movement is becoming a positive force for re- equalled heretofore in China. It offers to tie up building life as well as an obstruction to evil Christian energy and moral fervor with the life agencies and a reformer of manners. So far it is of China in new ways. As an indigenous movelargely urban but the direction and scope of its ment it is setting out to endeavor to do along sevactivities are turning to rural centers also. eral lines what Christians have been trying to do for many years. Church response to the Move- It has been said that "The New Life Movement ment's appeal for cooperation should aid in keepaims at the revival of the traditional virtues of ing it creative. If in places the Movement is more China." But those responsible for it also feel the sound than success the church should help give need of a religious fervor to energize these tra- the sound a deeper note. If, on the one hand, it ditional virtues and that they seek the aid of those is a revival of traditional virtues it is, on the other motivated by the Christian faith in particular. In- hand, a search for ways of developing and manideed, while his Movement is not set on building festing a modernized and vitalized life. It cannot up a religion or a church as such, Christians are go far in this without the deepening of spirit and to some extent active in directing its activities. consciousness that religious faith can give. Chris- The time has come for the churches to give it tians can help by demonstrating how their faith serious attention as a force in the life of China works in the simple or elaborate forms of reconwith which they can work. struction.
Churches engaged in activities as given in the The Movement Officially Described* By' GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK President of the Chinese M'litary Affairs Commission THE New Life Movement aims at revolution- such traditional virtues as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, izing the mode of life of the whole of the they are living today under conditions. which sug- Chinese people. It seeks by the application gest that they have just emerged from savagery. of the simplest and most effective methods possible to eradicate from the people those habits that China has 35,000,000 square liof territory and are no longer suited to the times and to replace abounds in natural resources, which if developed, them with a new mode of living in accord with could easily make this country one of the wealththe spirit of the age in which we live. In other iest nations of the world. Yet there is widespread words, the movement stands for the rationaliza- poverty and misery in the land. This again is due tion of the lives of the people, and is based on the traditional virtues of China as expressed in these to the neglect of the traditional virtues of China, characters, Li, Yi, Lien and Chih. namely, Li, Yi, Lien, and Chih.
The Chinese people used to set great store on China has 400,000,000 people who used to be these traditional virtues, the revival of which is well organized in all the essentials of life. But imperative and essential to the welding of China what spectacle do our people present to the rest into a modern nation. of the world today? They are disorganized, in- dolent, cowardly and torn between conflicting per- With a civilization of more than 5,000 years the verse teachings, leading a life little better than Chinese people attained long ago a high degree of that of savages. This again is due to the neglect refinement in matters of food, clothing, shelter of Li, Yi, Lien, and Chih. and deportment, but owing to their neglect of While it is true that the removal of the existing • From ChAnese Affairs, Shanghai crude and degrading modes of life of the Chinese people in favor of one of refinement depends to a
great extent on the revival of the old virtues of anything else. This work may be described as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, it is equally true that under the work of the New Life movement. The extenpresent circumstances, when society is in a state sion and progress of the movement depends upon of chaos, when perverse ideas have permeated the the extent to which the people realize its need. It country, and when the great majority of the peo- should begin with individuals and later spread to ple are sunk in pleasure and indolence, immediate families and the community at large. It serves success can hardly be expected to attend the in- as the vanguard of the political authorities, but it troduction of political measures or the inculcation should not depend upon the latter for its success. of teachings of the right sort. If the modes of living of the people are to be improved, a start Objects of the Movement must be made first with the rectification of their bad habits. For this reason, the New Life Move- The attitude of mind of the great majority of ment offers the only road to the salvation of Chinese today is marked by drift and insipidity. China. This expresses itself in acts which do not distin-. guish between good and evil, right and wrong, Our late Chungli, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, said: "Min and private interests and public welfare. Hence, Sheng means the life of people, the existence of our officials are hypocritical, greedy and corrupt; society, the livelihood of the citizens of the country our people are disorganized and indifferent to the and the welfare of the masses." Although the welfare of the nation; our youths are degenerate problem of the livelihood of the people, or Min and irresponsible; and our adults are vicious and Sheng, may be considered from four angles, the ignorant. The rich are given to pleasure and exquestion of life is really the manifestation of the travagance, while the poor are low, filthy and other three aspects of the problem of the people's groping in the dark. All this has led to a complete livelihood. For the continued existence of so- breakdown of authority and discipline, resulting ciety certain guarantees are necessary. As re- in social unrest, which has in turn made us helpgards the problem of the livelihood of the people, less in the face of natural calamity and foreign there must be room for development and expan- aggression. If this state of affairs is allowed to sion. For the continuity of life, propagation is continue any longer, it will be impossible for us necessary. Life is the manifestation of all these even to lead the present kind of existence for very activities. In other words, life is a general term long. . . . . for all human activities. To rebuild the life of the people in accord with All activities arising from the propagation of modern conditions, especially to build a new social the race, from the preservation of life and also order, resort has to be made to political reform, from the development of the livelihood of the peo- particularly education, but in the past education ple assume different forms at different times and and politics in China have suffered from one beunder different conditions. Sometimes the en- setting sin, namely, cant and hypocrisy. This vironment also changes. Not until a man "renews has led to the ineffectiveness of laws, the uselesshimself daily" can he hope to have a rich and ness of technical talent and the impotency of abundant life. The life of a people must accord machines. Where a C.hinese is placed in the post with the time and environment in which it lives. formerly Occupied by a foreigner, it invariably A new life is possible only when there is a com- happens that the Chinese official cannot attain the plete break with the old modes of living. same degree of efficiency .as the foreigner. This is true of machines. Run by a Chinese, a machine Whether the people have a rich and abundant cannot yield the same output as it does when life depends primarily upon the existence of good under foreign· supervision. If we want to make government and on the extension of sound politi- our laws effective, the thing to do is not to imcal institutions, but this has a close connection prove the laws, but to get the right· men to adminwith customs and usages. ister them. The same is true of machines; Struc- turally, there is nothing defective about them: If during the transition from an old social what is needed is the right men to operate them. order to a new one nothing is done to assist the It is true that politics and education have an imintroduction and spread of new political· institu- portant role to play in the formation of character, tions by the introduction of new customs and but at the same time it is equally true that social usages, such new institutions are liable to be stul- customs and usages exercise a more important tified in their development. In other words, they influence over the lives of men. must be assisted by the inculcation of new ideas, preparing the minds of the people for their recep- That the Government will exert itself for potion. For this reason, every country makes the litical reform goes without saying. Unless we are task of changing the customs and usages of the prepared to let the nation go under without a people its first concern during the transition from struggle during the present national crisis, we the old to the new, for this is more important than
must act resolutely to put a stop to the present of food and clothing will not bring about social state of affairs and throw ourselves into the work peace, and if any proof is needed to substantiate of social reform. In short, we must make a clean this statement, it is an unquestioned fact that sweep of the existing social abuses and evils and crime abounds always in cities where there is take prompt measures to foster what is best and plenty and abundance. Moreover, can one serivital in society. This is the mission of the, New ously maintain that many of those who have Life Movement. turned to brigandage or become traitors and greedy officials have done so owing to fear of Contents of the Movement hunger and starvation? . . .
The New Life Movement advocates a mode of Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are general principles in living based on the principles of Li, Yi, Lien, and the establishment of states. This was true of Chih. In other words, it seeks to apply those ancient times and is true of the contemporary age.
time-honored principles to the daily conduct of Of course, each age has its own interpretation of men and women, especially in matters pertaining those principles. Let us explain them in the light to food, clothing, shelter and deportment. Any of modern conditions of life. Briefly, Li means one who fails to order his life in accordance with polite manners, Yi, chivalrous or upright conduct, this code is bound to fail. This is true also of Lien honesty or a moral sense 'of right and wrong, nations. and Chih, decency or an appreciation of moral There are people who are skeptical of this view. values. It is contended that Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, undoubtedly excellent virtues in themselves, may be There are two conditions associated with food, able to produce men of exemplary character, but clothing, shelter and deportment, namely (1) tanif we are backward in technical knowledge, no gible things, such as food, houses, roads, carts, amount of virtue can save China. This line of steamers, etc., and (2) manifestations, such as reasoning is untenable. It is true that knowledge eating and drinking, living, ·walking. is power, but knowledge is liable to be abused in The word Hsing, or deportment, however, has the hands of those who have no moral scruples. two senses. In its narrow sense it means walk- Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are the guiding rules of ing. In its broad sense it means behavior. Inconduct for individuals, society and the state. deed, in this sense Hsing ~ncludes food, clothing, shelter and deportment.
When educated men act contrary to these rules, The "San Min Chu Yi" ("The Three People's both the public and the nation will suffer. In Principles") in the chapter dealing with the short, Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are able not only to questions of food, clothing, shelter and deportsave China but to remake her. ment, emphasizes the material aspect of the prob- There are others who declare that Li, Yi, Lien lem. If there is any doubt on this score, it should and Chih are empty principles and can hardly be be dispelled by a perusal of this passage in "The expected to serve as rules of conduct for those Fundamentals of Reconstruction" which says: who live from hand to mouth and do not know The Government should assist the people in the where their next rice bowls come from or what development of agriculture so that they will have the morrow may bring. This fallacy is due to the enough to eat. It should promote the textile inteachings of Kuan Tze who maintained that be- dustry so that the people will have enough tovvear. fore a man can know decency he must have enough It should help the people to solve their housing to eat and wear, or as the Greek philosopher Aris- and transportation problems by building more totle said, before a man can be expected to be houses and repairing canals and roads. The virtuous he must have a competence. The funda- "Hsing" in the present New Life Movement is mental fact seems to have been overlooked by used in both its narrow and its broad senses. these skeptics that Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are the "foundation" of a man, and that if he does not Methods of the New Life Movement possess these attributes, he cannot have food and clothing. Leadership.-The direction of the whole New Life Movement is vested in the hands of the New In a society based on Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, one Life Movement Promotion Association in Nancan make up the lack of food and clothing by hu- chang. Branches of the association may' be estabman means, whereas in a society where these lished in the various parts of the country, but in principles are not observed, no amount of wrong- order to avoid confusion and to ensure common doing, such as robbery and theft can bring suffi- action, district branches should be subject to the ciency and abundance to the needy: Acts of Li, control of provincial New Life Promotion Asso- Yi, Lien and Chih are correctives to acts of strife, ciations. theft and robbery. In cases where Li, Yi, Lien andChih are flouted, even sufficiency in matters District and provincial branches should be jointly organized by representatives of various
public organizations, such as the Provincial and Chinese should have a decent standard of living, District Kuomintang headquarters, Bureau of which is another term for an artistic mode of liv- Public Safety, Social Welfare and Education, and ing. In ancient times China used to have the somilitary commissions. Subject to the direction called six arts and sciences: Rites, Music, Archof the l~al district New Life Promotion Associa- ery, horsemanship, calligraphy and mathematics. tion, the various guilds, schools, women's organi- These six things today have made the Western zations and rural groups may start separate New powers great and strong, although the Chinese Life groups. people for centuries used them as guiding prin- ciples of action in life. The reason why there is The work of the New Life Movement consists so much suspicion, jealousy and animosity in of investigation, planning and promotion. Chinese society today is that we have forgotten the teachings of our ancients. There is no hope The expenses of the movement should be re- of improvement unless we order our lives in acduced to a minimum and borne by those respon- cordance with the principles of Li, Yi, Lien, and sible or raised by the authorities of the locality in Chih. which there is a branch of the New Life Movement Promotion Association. Solicitation of con- (2) The poverty of China is due to the existtributions from outsiders is forbidden. ence of so many people who cannot produce any- thing of their own and who live on others. The The program of the New Life Movement will be productivity of the people must be increased. We drawn up by the New Life Movement Promotion must develop our immense natural resources and Association in Nanchang. The Movement will avoid waste. Everyone should consider it a first begin with a campaign for cleanliness and shame to depend upon others for his support. In orderliness. other words, everyone must work for his own living. There is no other way to relieve the pov- The formula of the Movement.-The Movement erty. of China and remove the source of civil strife should start with oneself and then extend to than to practise the principles of Li, Yi, Lien and others, with officials first, and then the masses, Chih in our daily lives. from simple things to more important tasks, and from public organizations, schools, etc., to the (3) In advocating Li, Yi, Lien and Chih as the lower classes of society. code of our daily conduct, we are inspired by the How the Movement may be promoted.-Per- or desire to "militarize" the life of our people. When sonal example, oral instruction, illustrated posters, campaign literature, plays and motion pic- a nation cannot fight for the defence its soil tures are some of the means by which the Move- against foreign invasion, it cannot be considered ment may be promoted. The New Life Movement a nation. We must cultivate martial arts if we Promotion Association will send delegates to visit are to overcome the present weakness of our counthe various provinces and districts from time to try. China today is overrun by Communisttime and inspect the work being done by the re- bandits. Civil war has not yet been completely spective New Life groups. In order to promote banished from the land. Our national territory a healthy spirit of rivalry between the various is growing smaller and smaller every day. Imgroups contests will be held. There will be prizes perialists join with traitors and Communists in for the winning groups. oppressing our people and undermining our coun- try. If we wish to deliver China from ,the present No compulsion should be employed in extend- crisis and bring peace and order to the land, we ing the Movement. Persuasion should be the must prepare to "militarize" the whole country. watchword of the "New Life" canvassers. Before this is possible, the people must be trained in habits of orderliness, discipline, cleanliness, Conclusion simplicity and accurate thinking. They must be law-abiding, conscious of their responsibilities and To sum up, the New Life Movement aims at the ready to die for the country. substitution of a rational mode of living for the present irrational mode of living of the people. A rational mode of living is realized when the How can this be effected? My answer is: by principles of Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are applied to making Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, the code of our the daily conduct of the people, especially in matdaily conduct. ters pertaining- to food, shelter, clothing and de-. portment. A great revolution will have been ef- (1) In advocating the revival of our traditional fected and the foundations of new national strucvirtues such as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, the object ture laid when every Chinese lives in accordance in view is an artistic mode of living for all our with the principles of the New Life Movement, people. Many are apt to think that only a few which are based on the traditional virtues of Li, privileged persons can lead an artistic life. This Yi, Lien and Chih. is a mistake. It is within the reach of all. Every
Chiang Kai–shek's Interpretatiqn
of the New Life Movement in China* T HE New Life Movement was inaugurated medireval into the modern world. Those who have three years ago to quicken and to deepen the failed us are those who have refused to pay the work of reconstruction in China. Since then price of living the New Life. "You cannot serve the nation has progressed farther than we had God and mammon"; you cannot live a regenerated dared to hope, giving us a new faith in the future vitalized life and at the same time maintain a of our race. After these three years of experience selfish attitude toward society. we are more than ever convinced that the most vital force in the reconstruction of our nation is On this our third anniversary it is fitting that the spiritual life of the people. we should review some of the accomplishments of the past and perhaps more important still outline It has been a long and difficult task, and one the most pressing needs of the nation. that has required the cooperation of all the leaders of the nation, to unite China's scattered troops First and foremost let us mention the needs for into one strong national army. It has not been unity and internal peace. easy to improve communications, remodel cities and set forces in motion that will eventually im- The policy of the National Government is enprove the living condItions of farmers and work- tirely one of harmonizing, composing and settling ers. Yet in the long run these are the outward all differences through peaceful means, thus presigns of a new controlling principle, a new law of serving national resources and strengthening the life which we are slowly learning to follow. faith of the people in the ability of the nation to weather any storm. The unification of the armies This energy and courage animating our people, is not sufficient in itself. There must go with it and sometimes referred to as the national renais- that oneness of purpose and broadmindedness that sance, has been at work in China for two decades. enables men of all parties and of every faith to In a very real sense, the New Life Movement is keep in step, regardless of conditions, and while gathering together spiritual forces that are partly keeping in step to work together for the commonindigenous and partly from abroad. The New wealth. Life Movement is slowly winning the confidence of the people, for we are still very conservative, Throughout the country there are still minor and is fast becoming a centre where all agencies, disturbances where hungry men, masquerading both governmental and private, interested in the as bandits, take by force from their neighbors and welfare of the people, may find a common meeting from travelers what society should provide for ground. them in some other way.
Heretofore various organizations shouldering Economic Betterment and Education the burden of building a new social order have not only been scattered but they have oftentimes Benjamin Franklin has well said, "Poverty been perplexed by what seems to be cross-currents within the life of the nation. The river of New often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is Life released three years ago in Nanchang is gradually gathering into one great flood embody- hard for an empty bag to stand upright." ing the currents of life and thought that go to unify and reconstruct the nation. Idleness, intemperance and extravagance are A year ago, on the occasion of the second anni- not the only stones that pave the road to poverty. vers.ary of the New Life Movement, the Generalissimo emphasized three immediate needs of the Corruption, inefficiency, oppression, malnutrition nation: sincerity, efficiency and living of the New Life. During the same year mistakes may have and an unjust social order also help to depress been made but none can question the sincerity of our national leaders. Most Of them have been the economic level. When the New Life Movelending. a hand as the nation emerges from the ment was inaugurated in Kiangsi, one of the first • Radio broadcast speech by Madame Chiang on February 19, 1937, In commemoration of the Third Anniversary of the launching things it did was to establish welfare centers st~::h~tW Life Movement. Reprinted from The Peoples' Tribune, where the economic and social needs of the people might be studied and gradually relieved. Through- out the nation it will continue to focus attention upon the economic factors underlying the needs of the masses. Without this there can be no in- ternal peace. Banditry and rebellion will cease only when nt heex tpteoopt hlee have enough to eat. inte rnal Second, need for unity and peace I should place education.
[361 ]
The growth of the modern school system Almost anyone of us can gather together a few throughout China is phenomenal. Everywhere we see the children with their school books com- friends interested in social service and through ing and going. The fact· remains, however, that the vast majority of the people are not informed pooling resources can bring new life to many a on many matters that concern their every-day life; ignorance and superstition still influence them to community. Incidentally in so doing you will find an alarming extent. great joy and lasting satisfaction. The New Life Movement last summer presented this challenging situation to the college students , A group of well-equipped devoted national leadof East China and received a hearty response. College students, both men and women, spend time ers without your help cannot bring new life to our in their own or neighboring villages teaching summer schools for both children and adults and nation. Such a social revolution calls for the coholding popular lecture courses in the evening. In time our educated people will catch this spirit operation of every intelligent man and woman of service and voluntarily will do 'what they can in their immediate neighborhood so that in a short throughout China. time illiteracy will be greatly reduced. What the national and provincial governments are doing to Many a great movement has slowed down bemeet this gigantic problem is very encouraging but we wish to make this appeal to our educated cause it has failed to grip the imagination and to people everywhere, that they must not rely solely upon the Government but should also carry re- enlist the enthusiasm of the rank and file. This sponsibility for those closest to them. I, myself, have found deep satisfaction in mothering a few is not true of the New Life Movement, and from hundred students in the schools for the children of the revolution and I recommend this form of the bottom of my heart I hope it never will be social service to my friends throughout China. true. You know as well as I do that the great Games and Healthy Sport failure of democracy is that we rely too much We all know that we receive much valuable education outside of the schoolroom. Last summer a upon a fe,w chosen leaders. In democratic China student from a Shanghai college, visiting his home village in Kiangsu, discovered that a large per- you are showing your appreciation of the nation's centage of the people were spending their leisure time gambling; without discoursing on the evils leaders in many ways and we are deeply grateful, of gambling he hastened back to Shanghai where he purchased and borrowed a few outdoor and in- for it makes us doubly sure of the solid foundation door games, including a small radio. He worked with the young men of the village in cleaning and of unity upon which we are building. I beg of whitewashing an old temple and in levelling a playing field. Within a few days he had games you not to take too much for granted and not to and competitions in progress for the younger members of the community and victrola and radio expect too much of a few leaders. If New Life entertainment for those who preferred to be less active. From his knowledge of the outsilje world really comes to all our people throughout the provand from newspapers and magazines he gave a series of evening lectures on subjects of interest inces, it will come because it has been unanimously and value to the community. When the time came for him to return to his studies at college the vil- supported in the heart of the country. lage schoolmaster had already taken charge of these activities and they are doubtless still in The last and most important thing that I have progress. to say to you is something that the President of Through the social-mindedness of another college student in providing a village radio, the peo- the New Life Movement has said over and over ple of his community have just heard the President of the N~w Life Movement speak to them. again. "New Life is something we live, not some- thing that we promote." It is a quality of life within ourselves, a standard of ·values that in- fluences every thought and action. The greatest Teacher that ever lived has told us that "what goes on in a man's heart determines the quality of his life." If New Life implies a change of heart then let us all make that change together on this the third anniversary of our great spiritual move- ment. A change of heart within each of us will soon prOduce the :riew and prosperous nation that we all long to see. .
*** A Missionary Resolve – By the Grace of God: We will "maintain the spiritual glow."
We will depend on spiritual means to achieve results in God's work.
We will not magnify statistics nor glory in mere numbers.
We will be slow to criticize others, but will seek to be our best and look for the best in others.
We will earnestly try to be free from race prejudice.
We will show love to others and devotedly seek their high- est good. _ We will ask God's help to solve our own spiritual problems so as to be more free to help others.
We will not be too impatient for visible results, but will steadfastly trust God to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think."
We will tarry until we are "endued with Power from on High" and then go forth to witness for Christ.
"He giveth power to the faint." Isaiah 40: 29.
Yellow vs. Acting Yellow*
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL, Chao-Cheng, Shangtung, China Missionary of the Church of the Nazarene THE eyes of the world are turned to China to- ventions, raising money, holding bazaars in order day more than at any time since the Boxer that the Gospel (!) might be taken to the poor Rebellion, a generation ago. So much has heathen – these slit-eyed, flat-nosed, oily-faced happened in the last five years and so much more Sons of Han included!
seems about to take place. . . that' even the Span- A tragedy! Yes, and one that is enacted too ish situation has not turned the attention of the often in other churches. Can it be true in yours?
people away from the land of Sinim. If we are not vitally interested in the salvation Now, instead of attempting to transport you of the ",heathen" who live on your street, your to the Orient and thrusting you heart first into the neighbors and fellow-citizens, then why try to fool intriguing life of the Chinese, we will stay in the ourselves into believing that we are really con- Occident, and spend a few moments "Thinking cerned in the redemption of heathen ten thousand Yellow." We have "thought white" for so long miles away? If one cannot "think yellow" at that it will be no easy task to suddenly "think home, it is useless to try 'imd stretch one's reli- yellow." gious imagination across the Pacific. It will prob- Having just returned from the Middle King- ably be drowned before it reaches Honolulu!
dom, I was in a store in Toronto purchasing a Cincinnati, the metropolis of Ohio, is a great daily paper. A lady of large dimensions came in centre of religious activity. Some years ago at and asked for one of the popular weekly'maga- the annual district convention of one of the larger zines. As the news agent handed her the maga- denominations, the largest auditorium filled to zine and her change, he pointed in my direction hear a missionary of national repute lecture on and said: "This is the Reverend Geoffrey Royall China. The two front rows were reserved for who has just returned from China." ecclesiastical dignitaries – bishops, superintend- "Why how strange," she replied, responding to ents and the like.
my recognition. "I have just come from the Chi~ A passing Chinese, with a staggering burden of nese laundry. You know, Mr. Royall, I have a laundry, was attracted by the bright lights' and horrid sensation run down my spine every time I paused to read the announcements. When his enter that place. That yellow face that pops up eyes caught the word "China" and noted that this behind the counter when I hand over my husband's evening was to be devoted to an address on his shirts is enough to scare anyone. Slit eyes, flat own country, he passed through the doors and noses, oily face . . . ugh! I'm glad I was not walked down the aisle towards the front, with the born a Chinese. How awful it must be for you to bundle of clothes. The speaker was waxing elo- have to live among such people." quent when his eye caught the face of the Chinese I opened my mouth to reply but the words laundryman beaming celestially into his own.
clogged in my teeth and I was silent. . With a quick gesture he motioned the visitor to a "Well, we have a meeting of the Women~s Mis- seat and the visitor promptly sat down next to a sionary Auxiliary at three, so I'll be running corpulent bishop, at whose feet he unceremoni- along," the woman continued, picking up her ously planted the laundry. A few minutes later magazine. We watched her sail out of the store the good bishop discovered that one end of his with the trail of a Pekinese dog in her wake. frock coat was caught beneath the individual next "Mrs. Jones is one of the best workers in her to him an,d, as he turned to look and he discovered church," remarked the storekeeper. a Chinese, he rose to move to another seat. Near- My mind followed her down to her missionary sightedness prevented him from seeing the bundle meeting. Here was a church woman, busy week at his feet, and he tripped ungracefully over it after week, no doubt, year in and year out, work- with a resounding thud.
ing on garments, preparing boxes, visiting con- Can we doubt that at the moment the bishop moved away from the Chinese, Jesus came and * C()lldensed fram a missionary address given In the First Church sat down in his place? To separate ourselves in ~Is~~oena~:z~~~~':;nk~:, ~~~~~~s'19~~~lfornia, at the annual District pride from our fellowmen because of the color of [363 ]
his skin is to segregate ourselves from the Son of the window display. His hand was on the door- knob, when he looked up and saw a plain notice, Man, the "Friend that sticketh closer than a in English and Chinese, nailed just above the door: "Chinese and dogs not allowed." The suit brother." There is danger that a "paternal" at- in the window was most inviting, but the words above the door were not. titude toward the heathen prevents us from being The same ancient tram took the prospective "fraterna1." . customer back to the Chinese quarters and the next day his customers noticed a new sign tacked In the city of Los Angeles I heard the following above the entrance to his restaurant: "Europeans and dogs not admitted." story. The new Chinese Vice-Consul decided to As we think over these four incidents we are patronize American stores during his residence in forced to admit several things.
California and visited one of the American bar- First, the average American church member does not appreciate the wonderful advancement bers. The shop happened to be without other his cousins of Cathay have made in recent years. There is also a tragic lack of soul passion for their patrons on his arrival, and the head barber was redemption. When we have learned that we are our "brother's keeper" in America, only then can seated on a chair reading a newspaper. Hearing we accept this responsibility for our neighbors in other lands. a customer enter he lowered his paper and looked Second, a spirit of aloofness and feeling of suover his glasses. The Chinese official smiled, but periority is a great barrier to Christian progress in foreign fields. How much of our missionary the proprietor growled: activity is superficial? There is a vast difference between being "interested in foreign missions" "What do you want in here." and in being vitally burdened for those of other races tor whom Christ also died. How often we "Oh, just a hair-cut today," smiled the Chinese foolishly interpret the former for the latter!
Vice-Consul. Third, the influence of Christian civilization that we endeavor to send to the Orient is often "Well, we don't cut Chink's hair here, so get nullified by our pagan attitude of superiority to- ward those who come to our own shores. out," was the reply. Fourth, many representatives of so-called "And may I enquire the reason," asked the Christian business houses that trade in the Far East, are a positive hindrance to the efforts of the Celestial, his smile disappearing. Christian missionary.
"I've got no time to argue," snarled the hair- "Thinking yellow!" does not mean "acting yellow!" It is a fallacy to suppose that Christ dresser. "Suppose our best customers from Holly- was a white man. In the book of Acts we read that when the Apostle Paul was standing on the wood should see me cutting your hair; what would steps of the castle waiting permission to address the Jewish rabble, the chief captain of the Roman they think? Do you suppose they want their hair guard asked: "Art thou not that Egyptian?" Christ and Paul were contemporaries and if the dressed with the same tools as I use on you? The chief captain mistook Paul for an Egyptian, it seems that he might well have mistaken Jesus for trade I have built up through years would be one also!
ruined in a day." The seventy-five thousand Chinese in America today constitute an outstanding challenge to the . "Before I leave I want to ask you a question," Christians of America-a challenge that has never been adequately accepted. said the Vice-Consul as he turned to the door. Christians can-learn to "think yellow" by learn- "Make it snappy then," grumbled the barber. ing to understand and to' sympathize with the Chinese. We need not "act yellow" in a sense of "I'm expecting a customer any moment." doing what is unworthy of a follower of Jesus Christ. The same Gospel that transforms us will "If my country came to you, as it has in the burnish the Chinese into gold fit for the King's crown. past, and gave Uncle Sam an order for five million dollars worth of machine guns and ammunition, seventy-five aeroplanes, two million dollars worth of scrap-iron and half-a-million dollars worth of modern factory equipment, would your people re- fuse the order? Would they say, 'We don't take Chinks as customers?'" Without waiting for the answer the Chinese stalked out of the shop. .
The tragedy was that at the same time he slammed the shop door he also slammed his heart's door on Jesus Christ. Today, that Vice-Consul is a chief executive under Emperor Henry Pu-Yi of Manchukuo. One of his tasks is to interview mis- sion board representatives who come with re- quests for government grants of land for hospitals and for other concessions. We wonder if he ever says to himself: ". . . We don't serve white for- eign devils."
Now let us take a boat to a foreign port in the "Dragon Kingdom," "thinking yellow" in Hong- kong. A young Chinese restaurant owner needed a new suit, and noticing a special sale advertised by a prominent down-town tailor, he planned to investigate. An antiquated street car took him to the foreign concession where he eagerly viewed
of the Rural Church in
~-.. I By REV. J. R. WATT, D.D., Kingston, Ontario I Registrar in Queen's Theological College EXCLUDING Greenland, Alaska and New- gave the ratio of urban to rural population as 53.7 foundland (a separate British Dominion), to 46.29 (urban, in Canadian census terminology, Canada comprises the entire northern part includes any separately organized municipality of the North American Continent. It has an area regardless of population). Since 1881 there has of 3,729,665 square miles as compared with the been a steady decline in the ratio of the rural pop- 3,776,700 square miles of the United States and ulation. In many of the older townships the rural . its dependencies and is slightly smaller than the population has declined as much as 50 per cent.
Continent of Europe. The estimated potential Even so two-thirds of Canadian congregations are agricultural land is 2,218,747,200 acres. rural or semirural in character. For this reason Occupying this vast area are 10,376,786 people, alone the welfare of rural congregations is a an average of 2.99 per square mile, but because major concen of the Canadian Church.
large areas are unoccupied this figure may be mis- It seemed necessary to state the foregoing facts leading. Prince Edward Island, with little unoc- that non-Canadian readers, unfamiliar with con- cupied land, has an average density of 40.3 while ditions here, might have some background against Ontario, with great areas unsettled in the North, which to look at the problem. In many respects has 9.45. East of the Great Lakes most of the the problem of the rural church is the same in population is found south of the 50th parallel and China, India, Canada or the United States. But in the West south of the 55th. the approach to and the solution of it must always Of this population 5,381,071 are of British take into account the local background with its origin, 2,927,990 of French, 2,067,725 of other unique local characteristics. Climate, density of races. The largest non-Anglo-Saxon groups are population, religious complexion, racial traditions, German 473,544, Ukrainian 225,113, Dutch 148,- are all factors of prime importance to workers in 962, Polish 145,503. The largest infiltration of this field, and must be taken into account in any non-Anglo-Saxon population is in the West. efforts at betterment. Some of these factors are Prince Edward Island is almost solidly Anglo- permanent, others are modifiable, and the problem Saxon while of the people of Manitoba, Saskatche- will change as they change.
wan and Alberta half are of non-Anglo-Saxon In a contribution as brief as this must neces- origin. sarily be, many significant elements must be In religion the population is 4,285,388 Roman passed by without reference. For example, there Catholic (of whom 2,853,117 are in Quebec and are in not a few communities the changing racial the Maritime Provinces), Jews 155,614, Greek complexion. Areas that once were solidly British Orthodox 102,389. The United Church is the and populous enough to maintain adequate reli- largest Protestant group with 2,017,375 persons, gious services are by steady infiltration becoming and the Anglicans second with 1,635,615. French or Ukrainian or some other racial color.
The climate varies with the latitude and other Then follows inevitably the ethical confusion and factors. Compared with Europe, except in the uncertainty that accompanies the clash of cultures territory on or near the Pacific coast influence by and the, difficulty that a thinning Protestantism the warm waters of the ocean, Canadian winters has to support its own religious usages.
are colder and longer with shorter, warmer and Since this and many other problems of the same drier summers. The temperature of the Pacific order are local to certain communities, they must Coast is identical with that of the British Isles in yield place here to other handicaps much wider in the same latitude. Of Canada as a whole it may their influence which effect all rural work. Of be said that the climate is healthful and invig- these denominationalism must be given first place.
orating, favorable to hardy bodies and vigorous Denominationalism is an inheritance. Histori- minds. cally Christianity was propogated and maintained Agriculture is the chief industry. In a single in the Dominion on a denominational basis. It year the value of the total agricultural production would serve no good purpose to quarrel with a has reached $2,000,000,000. The Census of 1931 fact that was, perhaps, in the evolution of Prot- [365 ]
estantism inevitable. But inevitable or not de- In these overchurched communities the work nominationalism in spite of much that was ad- suffers in several directions. Ministers are undermirable and praiseworthy must be debited with paid. If three men have to be supported where some things inimical to the rural church. When only one is needed stipends are inadequate and a pioneer community found itself, because of de- home mission funds that ought to go to new nominational zeal and prejudice, supplied with all pioneer work are expended in communities that the branches of Presbyterianism, Methodism, the might and ought to be self-supporting. Because Baptists and Anglicanism, it was not well of competitive denominationalism ministers have churched but shamefully overchurched. The con- to minister to areas too large for efficient work. sequence was a burden of maintenance that over- Serving, as many must, three, four and five points taxed the financial resources of the community, there is not a full program of religious work at inadequate buildings, and ,a conception of religion any place. Sunday school and Young People's that would be difficult to justify from the New work suffers because the groups are too small Testament. This condition has been improved for effective work and the minister's time is too greatly by the various unions that have taken much dissipated. Buildings once adequate when place. In 1876 the Presbyterian churches united preaching was the only function of the church to form the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In Gan scarcely be maintained and seldom are re- . 1883 the various Methodist bodies came together placed with modern buildings in keeping with in the Canadian Methodist Church. Then in 1925 present-day conceptions of church function. the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Congregational Churches merged their A second handicap that adversely affects all identity to make the United Church of Canada. rural work is the measure of disesteem with which The Methodist Church as a whole entered this society and the Church regards the country and union, practically all the Congregational Churches country life. As a generation we are urbanand two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church in minded. The proof and causes of this fact cannot Canada. be here examined. It must stand biuntly while the consequences are set forth. The consequences of this latter Union for the rural work affected by it were far-reaching. The Very few men voluntarily and deliberately degreatest single incentive in achieving Union was vote themselves to country work. In too many the religious needs of the rapidly expanding fron- cases it is accepted as a second best because nothtier. In anticipation of Union hundreds of con- ing else offers. It is accepted with the hope that solidations took place and in the three years fol- a few years apprenticeship will open the way to lowing Union 560 amalgamations, rearrangement an urban appointment which carries with it the of fields, or uniting of charges were affected, in- hall mark of success. When this ambition is not volving 2,000 congregations. One Presbytery, realized there is a measure of secret disappoint- Kamloops, B. C., reported a saving of $2,750 per ment and a restlessness which most men strive year in Home Mission Funds. Within the area of heroically to conceal. But concealed or admitted the former Presbyterian Synod of Toronto there it reacts on the work and robs men of the joy in was a saving in money of $50,000 while 126 men service without which no man gives his best. required on a competitive basis were released for work elsewhere. In part society is to blame for this deprecation of rural life and service. The stage farmer with In spite of this improvement there still remains hayseeds in his uncombed hair is a libel that gets in the older parts of the Dominion much over- raucous laughter from cr'owds who appreciate churching in rural areas. The Union of 1925 af- very little the farmer's part in national economy. fected only three of the national churches at work "Who's Who" is a roster of city names – even in Canada. But within the United Church itself though many are farmers' sons. It is difficult to there is a natural enough reluctance on the part imagine any farm achievement that would earn a of many people to close unneeded churches, hal- man a place beside those who have achieved prolowed by'memory and long association, in the in- fessional distinction or made money. Urban newsterest of an efficiency that was not demanded in papers frequently publicize city pulpits while earlier days or encouraged by older conditions. rural utterances of equal merit go unnoticed. For this reason it is not impossible to find many hamlets of six or seven hundred people striving In part our Theological Colleges are to blame. to maintain four or five churches where only one They graduate students hopeful that they will add is needed. Eventually this anachronism will cor- lustre to the school by winning tall city pulpits. rect itself, but when it comes it must be without Among the courses they offer there is little serious too much overhead compulsion and so it will be effort at instruction in rural background or rural slow. psychology; and as little to impress students with the contribution that the farm makes to national character, culture and stability. Little pains are
PROBLEMiS OF THE RURAL CHURCH IN CANADA
taken to correct the silly heresy that country pas- Church at large. Today the average urban church torate,is a proof of mediocrity. has at its command much more adequate and In larger part than either society or the theo- steady resources than its rural neighbor.
logical college the Church itself is to blame for Today the farmer is not prosperous in Canada.
accepting these standards without vigorous pro- When taxes are paid and necessary living expenses test or effective resistance. Whatever it may have are provided for there is little left over for the held in theory in practice it has consented to such Church or any other community enterprise. Why a judgment. This is to be seen first in the scale agriculture should remain the Cinderella among of salaries in town and country. The average in industries is a question that clamantly calls for an the city has been always very much higher than answer. Of its truth there can be little doubt and anything attempted in the country. This, doubt- neither the Church nor the nation will be steadily less, is justifiable in a measure but the spread is prosperous until such adjustments are made as greater than can be justified. Because of the will secure for the farmer a fair return for his larger stipends and other advantages that urban investment risk and labor.
life offers the city exercises a selective power that It is obvious, then, that this problem cannot be tends to bring the ablest men to its pulpits. This solved by Church action alone. The economist and happens not because city posts are more difficult statesman must lend their aid before this handi- or more important but because of very definite cap can be removed. When it is corrected, as it financial and social advantages. The rural min- must be in the national interest, a new day will ister, frequently isolated, serving a community dawn for the country church. For the farmer is with a declining population of three or four small essentially religious. He is too close to the vital discouraged groups, who provide little effective processes of the world to be much impressed by a local leadership has a task far more difficult than godless humanism. His religion may be touched the average urban minister and needs, if he is to with fatalism but he knows that it is only the fool carryon, courage of the highest order. Yet the that says in his heart there is no God. If his Church is content to send its weakest men to the Church is meagerly supported it is by necessity most demanding tasks and remunerate them on and not by choice.
the lowest scale in the Church. That rural pas- Three conditions that enter into the rural torates are brief, too brief to face and solve the church problem have been briefly noted. What problems they present, is not to be wondered at. of the future? It is pleasant to be able to state in It is the direct consequence of the factors we have closing that definite progress is being made. The been considering and will not be corrected until outlook is promising. Overchurching is on the de- the Church wins back a true perspective and cline. The generation that takes up our work is creates sufficient spiritual dynamic to remove going to see some changes that the boldest prophet these abuses and inspire men to choose as Oberlin did not dare to anticipate a generation ago. The did more than a century ago. Church is slowly opening its eyes to the need and A third major handicap which touches the pros- profit of strengthening the rural base. More men perity of the rural church is the depressed status are hearing and responding to the call of the coun- of agriculture as an industry. The Church as an try without apology or the old sense of inferiority.
institution cannot carryon without suitable build- And governments are slowly learning that pros- ings, equipment and trained leadership and for perity and national greatness are not products of these a sufficient measure of financial support mass production in city factories but have their must be found in the community served or in the roots much deeper in the life of the soil.
FOLLY OF BEING POWERLESS If an electric car stands motionless on the tracks, it is nothing against the power of electricity. If an invalid has no appetite, and cannot go out of doors at night, it is no argument against things good to eat and the joy of starlit air. If a man does not know a flower by name nor a poem by heart, it is no indictment of the beauty of a rose or the charm of some poem. If we bear the name of Christ, but give no other sign of Him; if we go through the forms of Godliness, but live powerless lives, it is a thousand reproaches to us. To be powerless when Christ has all power, and we can have all we want, is an arraignment to which we can make no answer that is not self-incriminating.-Selecfed.
Service for Rural
~-.. I By the REV. LOUIS C. HARNISH, Standish, Maine IPJ…- W HERE shall we spend our honeymoon? Why should so much outside help be needed in This was one of the questions that two carrying on the work of the rural church? young people discussed as they made plans This question involves two other questions: for their wedding. One was a recent graduate of "Why not depend on local leadership?" "What a well-known college who was serving as Dean of are the special or unusual needs that ought to be Women in her Alma Mater. The other had pre- met?"
pared in a midwestern college for teaching. The In other words, what are the conditions which answer to their question came from the American make the revival of the rural churches so difficult, Friends Service Committee to whom the Sebago and why is there need of such a large amount of Lake Regional Parish of Maine had applied for volunteer work that can be done only with the help vounteer summer workers. Arrangements were of leaders from outside the community?
completed and the young bride and groom arrived The task of the Christian Church might be deon the scene. They found themselves in a colony fined as "ministering to the abundant life." Chris- of eight volunteer summer workers, housed in the tianity is a religion of culture. Ministering to hu- large parsonage at Standish. man needs in the spirit of Christ makes religion The Sebago Lake Regional Parish was one of vital. It was in this way that Jesus began the a number of so-called "Larger Parishes" founded work of the Kingdom in His day. People are led largely through the vision and energy of the Rev. from the needs they recognize to the needs that Hilda L. Ives who, in this case, served as one of are more fundamental, that is, spiritual needs. the volunteers. Other members of the colony In spite of all the advances and facilities of were a mother and daughter, two young women college graduates, and a young Harvard student. modern civilization, there are multitudes who need the ministry of health, of sympathetic understand- The mother was a woman of culture and of ex- ing, of encouragement, of wholesome recreation, perience in higher education, who served as house of social satisfactions, of culture, including music, mother. Her daughter was a teacher in the pub- beauty, literary appreciation, etc. Homes need to lic schools of a large city. be made more livable, more attractive, more com- The group lived together as a family, each par- fortable, more sanitary, and in many cases, more ticipating in the household duties. Daily confer- commodious. Parents need assistance and guid- ences were held at which reports of the preceding ance in the care of their children and in habit day were received and plans for the day discussed. training of their children from infancy. They With the aid of cars in various degrees of senility need cooperation in dealing with youth and in the group scattered over the field. Every home in family problems along many lines.
the entire region was visited and studies were This is a spiritual ministry and can never be made of the needs and problems which were re- made fully effective by any other ministry than vealed as a result of the home or individual con- that of Christ-directed lives prepared for the spe- tacts. cific task to which their energies are to be de- Partly as a result of the summer's experiment voted. It is this phase of Christian service that the Church must meet if its ministry is to be efa call for student volunteer Christian service was fective. This is true especially of underprivileged sent out through various channels. An article in sections. Nowhere is this service more needed the Boston Transcript brought many responses. than in many rural regions. More than thirty-five young people have served on the Regional Parish staff, mostly on a non-salary The lack of competent local leadership in many basis. For the past three years the whole staff rural sections..is obvious. The reasons for this. has been serving without salaries. Ordinary liv- lack are also obvious. ing expenses are provided and the staff live as a family in the Standish parsonage. Each person First: The membership of the rural churches is allowed ten dollars a month for strictly per- is for the most part pitiably small. Those who sonal use, but it is understood that no one will be constitute the membership are as a rule older peoallowed to suffer in case of emergency. ple. Many have lost their vital touch with the younger generation. There is also, to a large ex- [368 ] tent, a spirit of pessimism that weakens the in- sick. This is one of the greatest opportunities fluence of the group. for devoted service in the rural field. One member Second: At least one generation has lost out of our present staff is a registered nurse and has both in religious and cultural training. The demonstrated clearly the demand for such servyounger generation, including the young married ice and its practicability as a means of spiritual people, are not even connected with the church, service. except in a few of the more progressive parishes in very recent years. Even those who are mem- There is great need for people with home ecobers often do not take their religion very seri· nomic training, especially fitted to deal sympathetously. ically with families. Here is an opportunity to really transform homes and to instill in them the Third: Those who have the qualities and capac- religious atmosphere. Another line of service is ity for leadership have left their homes to find em- for people with nursery school and kindergarten ployment in other places. Some of these have training. The Regional Parish was instrumental become religious leaders in other churches. in securing Federal Aid for a nursery school which has been carried on for over two years in very Fourth: In rural communities people are scat- close and sympathetic relation to the leaders of tered, many living at a distance from any center, the Parish. It seems almost impossible to overmaking it inconvenient or impossible to attend estimate its value. Elementary Christian educagroup meeting with any regularity. tion must be closely related to the home and Fifth: The demands for Christian service in should begin in the earliest stages of the child's thinly populated regions of Maine and other parts life.
of New England are especially great. Facilities We recognize the value of music in the church that are available in cities and more advanced and in the home and in almost every phase of neighborhoods through schools and clinics, and neighborhood life. Whole generations have lost visiting nurse associations, through settlements out in music training. The schools have made a and civic centers are almost entirely lacking in beginning. Here is a great opportunity for the many country districts. Some "homes" are even Church. Every child that has the capacity ought worse off than those in the congested districts of to have the opportunity to learn to playa musical cities. instrument and to sing. We have done something Sixth: In most country districts there is a lack along this line, but very inadequately. There is need of, and in fact, a demand for many other of social responsibility on the part of the more lines of cultural service. A Harvard graduate privileged people. There is a tendency to regard interested in oriental pottery spent a summer in the people of lower standards of living as "no our parish teaching "coil and pat" method of good" and incapable of rehabilitation. These conditions are, in a way, similar to the making pottery. The response was astonishing. conditions that gave rise to the settlement move- There is demand for all lines of manual work ment in the cities fifty years ago; They give the' for both boys and girls. Recently our boys' Church its opportunity for the revival of the rural worker became very popular teaching the boys to church. Here is a situation that calls for the same make airplane models which could really fly.
heroic service as the foreign field. It is a service The call for volunteer service on the part of that demands the very highest qualifications of younger (and older) Christians is a reasonable character, consecration, spiritual development, one and is certainly in keeping with our Christian and technical training. It calls for the "mission- traditions. It has saved the Church in more than ary spirit" in the highest sense. But it is espe- one crisis. Why should not our young Christian cially in these sections that money is not available students and graduates give one or two years of for the employment of trained workers. How, free service in recognition of the privileges they then, can the situation be met? have enjoyed? Has the Christian Church less The experiment of the Sebago Lake Regional claim on its youth than the Mormons whose young Parish suggests one way of meeting the situation men are called upon to go out without scrip or which is, perhaps, worthy of consideration. It purse or remuneration to serve for a year or two involves, in the first place, sending out to our col- as missionaries? Has the Christian Church less leges and technical schools a call for volunteer right to such service than the State that drafts its service on the part of men and women of excep- young men for military service and training? tionally fine Christian character, technically Moreover, there are many educated Christian peotrained for some specific task. There is need for ple who are economically independent who might nurses with public health training to do educa- well practice their profession without salary.
tional work, serve as visiting nurses, and in case But how are these people to be maintained who of emergency to care temporarily for the very have not the means of their own? This leads to
370· THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [July-August
the second suggestion which has been tried out on is a project that ought to appeal to many people of a small scale in our Sebago Lake Regional Parish. larger means.
A staff of workers can live as a group or colony, The life of a group living as a family is an inunder good leadership, on a very small allowance. teresting experiment in many ways. It calls for The funds usually provided for two salaries will the exercise of. the finest Christian virtues. It maintain a staff of four or five. There is the pos- also provides the very maximum of social and culsibility, also, in rural regions of doing a little subsistance "farming." People in the country can tural satisfactions.* often give produce where they cannot give money. Evep so, funds are likely to be needed from be- • The Director of the Sebago Lake Regional Parish will be glad nevolent minded people outside the region. This to correspond with people who wish to consider giving themselves for volunteer rural service. It Is hoped that the Parish may become a training field for those who enter such service. .
Saving ~ Whole Rural Community* The Life and Work of John Frederic Oberlin T HE biographer says: "The story of Oberlin The soil was poor, the roads were bad, th€ peo- is that of a man who stayed in a remote valley ple were sick and ignorant – the only school- and did his work so well that the world made teacher was a man whose job had been pig herda path to his door. ing but he had become too old and weak for that so they sent him to care for the children. "John Frederic Oberlin was Franco-German. He never came to America; but an American col- Oberlin took a census which showed five villege was named for him. lages, 100 families, and 400 inhabitants.
"His salary was less than that of a teacher in Service. Oberlin said in his first sermon that our grade school; put, more than a hundred years "minister" meant "-servant" and he had come to after his death, the New Standard Dictionary lists serve. He told the congregation that men serve him as a 'philanthropist.' God by doing good to their neighbors. "Dear friends, one especially please-s God by good works. "He founded the first 'infant schools' on record. To do good works one does not need to have "He was a pioneer in scientific 'agricultural ex- money. Everything that is done for the public tension.' good or to ease the burdens of man or beast, when "In an age of intense religious animositie-s both it is done for love of God, is a good work which Protestants and Catholics worshipped together in rejoices his heart." his church. "He shielded Jews from persecution, and per- Road building. "Such a work, especially," sonally indemnified them for injuries -suffered in Oberlin continued in that fi:r:st sermon, "is the rehis parish. pair and good upkeep of roads." "Although in peril of his life during the French Revolution, he was given 'honorable mention' by He raised money in the city to buy gunpowder the National Convention for his work as an edu- to blast the rocks; he asked villagers to work with cator. him and when only two or three came, he started "He was nominated for the Legion of Honor the job alone. before the fall of Napoleon, and was given this decoration by Louis XVIII. Others joined him; a good road was made; a "He was awarded a gold medal for his work in bridge built and the Valley of Stone was connected agriculture and community betterment. He re- with the outside world. ceived messages of endearment from the Tzar of Russia." The other villages asked Oberlin to help them build roads. Work in a Country Church Schoolhouses. Oberlin bought a lot for a new Oberlin went from a city to live in a small vil- school building; raised the money to buy the malage and work in a rural community. He planned terials. to remain there 30 years. He worked as a carpenter and finished the job • From "Good News-Well Told," a pamphlet published by the in two and a half months. National Christian Council of the Philippine Islands. The facts are taken from Dawson's book entitled, "John Frederic Oberlln-A Prot- Next he built schoolhouses in the other four estant Saint." villages.
SAVING A WHOLE RURAL
Sanitation. Oberlin concluded one of his ser- the villagers, continued to dig. When the trenches mons thus: were four or five feet deep he lowered young trees "My friends, remember what I have told you. into them, mixing and pressing lightly around The pestilences which from time to time have car- their roots the kinds of soil believed to be best ried half the people of this valley to their graves suited to their rapid growth. He alsO" procured are not caused by witches. They are caused by slips of a few pears, plums, cherries, and some filth. Some of you, showing love to God by a re- nuts, and turned one of his gardens into a large gard for the common welfare, have heeded what nursery. Then he waited. The mountaineers had I have asked everyone to do and are keeping your never seen trees grow so fast. At last their premises free from filth that is a public nuisance. curiosity got the better of them. Of their own Others, showing an obstinacy that fills Satan with accord, they came to express their astonishment joy, have continued in their old and detestable and to ask him how they could raise such trees ways. What shall I say, then? Shall I leave them ' for themselves."
to start another pestilence, and let them learn Next Oberlin gradually introduced scientific from the Angel of Death when that messenger agriculture. comes to their door? Indeed, they well deserve "He was interested primarily in the character such teaching; but alas, when calamity comes the of the inhabitants of the Valley of Stone. He had good must suffer with the bad. No-I must try seen a vision of perfected humanity' in the char- again to save you. I cannot command you. But acter of Jesus unfolded in the Gospels. His con- see, dear friends and compatriots, what I hold in suming passion was the desii'e to lift all men to my hand ! Yes it is money – money that came that level. But it did not take long for a man who through the sale of grain from my fields. I offer had trained himself both in medicine and theology it as prizes to our countrymen whose yards, upon to see that bodies enfeebled by a degrading desti- inspection, are found to be free from filth." tution cannot go far on the road to spiritual per- An educational system. Oberlin changed office fection. Oberlin heard a voice that said: 'I was of teacher from standard of a pig herder to that hungry, and you fed me.' He must feed these peoof highest honor in the village. He wrote new ple. 'God is immensely rich!' It is not necessary textbooks; he organized "infant schools," the first for any child of his to go hungry. Wherever there kindergartens in the world. Thus he established is a need, there is also a supply. Apply the Golden in his rural parish the best school system in Rule and the scientific method, and everyone will Europe. have enough and to spare."
A demonstration in farming. When the people Then Oberlin's wife taught the people how to saw these things, they began to believe that their spin. In one year the small Valley sold to one manufacturer about 12,000 pesos worth. leader knew what he was doing. "The mountaineers were ready to admit that "Visitors to the Valley of Stone discovered that the inhabitants were more intelligent, honest, and Oberlin could lay a stone wall, clear a road, build polite than were any other peasants they had ever a bridge, construct a school, and teach them to seen. The schools and the church had done their read and write. But there was one thing a peas- work! A distinguished Swiss patriot, who had ant, living in the eighteenth century, would not founded a ribbon factory at Basle, was attracted believe that a city man could do. He could not to the Valley of Stone by the fame of its minister. teach them anything about farming. He urged his two sons to move their ribbon fac- tory to this place. . . . "Oberlin knew this feeling on the part of the peasants. He was wise enough to respect their prejudices, where these were deeply rooted. He "The factory was located in the Valley of Stone would not start by telling them about new meth- without further ado. (In 1812, Legand's entire ods and undreamed-of possibilities. But there establishment was removed to the Valley of was nothing to prevent his setting out some trees Stone.) The prosperity of the region was then as- and plants in his own gardens and fields. sured."
"One day there was much merriment in the vil- Called to America, Oberlin decided to remain lage of Waldsbach. Two fields, noted for the bar- in his Valley. He lived there sixty years (1767- renness of their soil, belonged to the parsonage. 1826) and won the whole Valley to Christ. Prot- These fields were crossed by paths much fre- estants and Catholics worshipped together in his quented by the peasants. The passers-by noticed, church. .
on the day in question, that the minister, with the This remarkable life of a Christian preacher help of a servant, was digging deep trenches shows how effective witness may be borne to through the barren fields. What did he expect to Christ through service that helps to elevate men grow in that place? . . . intellectually, economically and socially as well "Oberlin, disregarding the sly amusement of as spiritually.
BELLINGHAM PREACHING AND PRACTICING AMONG BEDOUINS OF
Medical Work Among Arabs in Iraq* -·of/ifJ.!,;;;1====B=Y=W=.=B=EL=L=IN=G=HAM=====~lll>o- -THE vast expanse of the Shamiyah Desert, gists, geologists, also search and journey with .. which lies west of the River Euphrates in high hopes of adding a little more to our knowl- Central Mesopotamia (the Kingdom of Iraq) edge of the almost unknown.
extends far into the Nejd (in Arabia). It is There are a very few who are called and sent bordered by the Syrian Desert to the north and to heal the sick and to preach the Gospel among by all the mystery of Arabia to the south. the widely scattered tribes of Nomad Arabs.
A trip into that supposedly empty desert would Nothing can turn them aside from their objective seem rather reckless to the ordinary individual; once the "call" is upon them and so long as their a sojourn over a period of years~whatever one's trust is in the Risen Lord. To them the way is objective-would appear nothing short of mad- old yet ever new with new and exciting dangers ness. Yet people do travel there, though one often and difficulties. There are the unpleasant sensawonders what attractions those great arid wastes tions in the burning sun at midday; terrible footh.ave to offer, and why people endure untold hard- soreness, thirst, fevers, loneliness-all new with a grim unexpectedness. The aches and pains, the ships, wandering about its vast empty spaces. sufferings and anxieties experienced along the Some travelers seek something new by way of wayside in the journeyings of a missionary are adventure: they experience queer itchings in the never fully told. Nor need they ever be told, for blood known to many as wanderlust. Organized they are forgotten mid blessings derived from parties of explorers, anthropologists, archreolo- ministering to the greater sufferings of those to * Condensed from 'The EvnngeHcal Ohristian, Toronto. whom they are sent. For those sick bodies and [372 ]
MEDICAL WORK AMONG ARABS IN IRAQ
sicker souls to whom they journey know not the women; they are moving off at the sight of uscomforts and love of the Risen Saviour. single file, along a well-worn track, carrying skins of water. The water in the water-hole is dirty But come with me-or rather with us, Christ and stagnant, but oh, how precious – water is and myself-if you would know something of the Life !.How sweet on the desert! "Let us hurry desert. We will take you into its unquenchable and tell them of the sweet water of Eternal Life." life as we live it, and as it really is. It is only a thought and cannot be done, for sud- denly we think of the. unwritten laws of the desert The journey requires a little over three hours and content ourselves and follow on, not daring by either camel or horse and is just as uncom- to mention them more than once to our Arab comfortable on either. Leaving our little home of dried mud, dwarfing itself in the distance, we THE MISSIONARY IN ARAB DRE.SS sway off into the wilderness, soon to lose sight of everything one connects with mankind. There is panion, who in the roughest voice he can muster, not a structure, mechanical contrivance or human is bidding them ,move from our path.. "It's easy being within sight. On every side is sun-scorched for us to go aroun~," we protest with a feeling of desert, dry, empty, silent, uncanny and bare but pity. .But t~y h~ve scrambled aside. One has for the presence of a few clumps of camel-thorn fallen over, and we pass on trying hard not to and ourselves. The sun beats down with a pitiless hear the oaths muttered by the Arab at our side. glare, and the surface of the desert becomes so hot that it will fry an egg. 'Perspiration oozes from The tents of the other Arabs are not to be seen. every pore; a gentle breeze from the south lifts The path winds and, twists through the thorns for up particles of sand that adhere to every inch of another four miles and we cross a rift in the desour uncovered skin. Even the thought of water ert, and there, to our relief, are the tents, black as makes us thirsty, but we refrain from drinking– the lean goats moving around. Our thoughts we shall only perspire more freely if we do. Our Arab companion comforts us with an Arab prov- flash to Genesis, arid we think of Jabal, Abraham erb: "Don't drink-less thirst; don't eat-less hunger?" So we sway along to the rhythm of the and Jacob, who were plainsmen dwelling in tents. gurgling water in our waterskin. To talk is a Surely they must have used tents like these even fatigue, so we rock and think, think and sway, Oh, why were camels made to walk so oddly? It's such an uncomfortable ache we feel across the belt. The glare hurts our eyes. We wish we could talk; we wish we could drink. Oh, if only there were one shady tree where we could rest. If only we could see something new or other nomads in the distance. Why, oh why, do people waste so much water over the simple washing of hands? A thousand and one thoughts flash on through the mind-we straighten up-relax, close our eyesmeditate-. We shall not get lost, Christ is at our side and even if there is no track we are comforted somewhat for our Arab companion is with us. On and on! .
Over a ridge and dpwn into an indentation. There is more thorn now:, and there-away in the distance-camels-"El Hamdu lillah"-unto God be praise. Further ~n are flocks of sheep and goats that 'appear to be grazing on sand for we see no grass. We begin to wonder what the black hundles are that move, for from where'we sit they appear to be framed between the camels' ears. It's a water-hole-no need for the Arab to tell us. The camels smeUed it long before we crossed the ridge and had we been unconscious from thirst the camels would have taken us there even if they themselves did not want to drink. They are wonderful, in spite of being awkward at times.
But there! we see that the black bundles are
in those long ages past. There they stand in all is in God. "God is great," they mutter, and now the stark loneliness of the desert. is the time to tell them of God's greatness. They love a good story and will listen with patience; Someone is running to meet us; a shout goes but in like manner we have to listen to their up, others follow. Several barking dogs race to stories, with patience equally as great, or they will show their teeth, but the first to greet us are the not listen to our next. Usually their stories are flies. We attempt to speak. Several flies are in about the prophet Mohammed and Jimree, and our mouth, but we soon get used to it. what they lack in propriety they soon gain in amusement. The Arab has perfected the art of The Arab at our side mutters: "Allah Wakeil" telling a story; much gesticulation, gasping and (God our Trustee), and touches the camel's neck. repetition goes with everyone. The following is With a series of grunts it kneels at an alarming typical of the kind that tickle their imaginations, angle, head down and forelegs first; we hold tight and this, by the way, is believed by them to be until we get a jolt from behind and know then she true. is properly settled. We alight with relief and have the feeling that it is good to he on mother One mullah, such a good mullah he was, never was there earth. But before the feeling has rushed around a mullah like him. Never! our aching limbs we must give our greetings with "Peace," which is answered by "And on you be He was always most careful in his ablutions, and always peace." washed his hands before going to pray. And as was his ha0it he always held out his hands, always held out his A dozen or more dirty palms are thrust into hands he did. But the sparrows belonging to the mosque ours and in our pockets with impunity. The bag knew, and at prayer time always flew down to rest on his with the medicines is in the safe-keeping of the hands and cling to his fingers to drink the drops of water Arab, who freely clouts one and then another of that gathered at his finger ends, until not even a drop rethe besieging crowd. A score of questions are mained and his hands became dry. asked in as many seconds about our health and welfare, and what we have brought. We are then At the end everyone gasps, and the teller, to led to the Sheikh's tent where some measure of confirm it, will swear by his Prophet that it is not peace is assured. Greetings and questions are re- false. peated and a dusty rug is placed at our disposal. So we relax. A new dung fire is lighted right at Finally we tell our story, a guest's, privilege. our feet; coffee beans are roasted and pounded. Then comes our time for medical treatment and We ask someone to bring our water but sour milk more Gospel. These Arab nomads suffer from alis brought in a filthy container instead, with flies most every ailment it is possible to imagine-sore swimming on its surface and every inch of its ex- eyes, open sores, the only covering of which are terior covered. To brush them off would send the flies; infected wounds; cuts, burns, skin dismore diving into the beverage, so instead we blow eases and internal complaints too numerous to them to the far side and take sucking drafts of mention. Very seldom do they wash and never the milk until our thirst is quenched. If we should with soap. They are so poor that one cannot be weak in the stomach and complain about the imagine how poor until they are seen-no money, flies, we may hear comments to the effect that we no stores. They live mostly on dates and the have been given both food and drink and that meagre supply of milk from their flocks. Perhaps they were sent by' Allah. twice a year they take wool, hair and skins to the town, which may be a handred miles away, and But we have come to preach the Gospel, but preaching, in the ordinary sense of the word, there they exchange their pJoduce for clothes and cannot be done, so we shall have to win them by cheap luxuries. tact. If we can first attend to their sadly-neglected bodies they will then listen with eagerness Those diseases for which we have no cure we to the wonderful healing power of the Great Phy- commend to God in prayer and He honors the sician, for they never forget a kindness. faith of His servants. The men and boys are treated first; then we go to the women and girls. First we must have coffee and discuss the latest It is pitiful. But a half can never be told. We news; then follows a general talk. They know leave messages of comfort and promise to come why we are here but it's beyond them to know again, if God so wills. "Inshallah" they repeat why we are not afraid. Government officials visit from their hearts. them on rare occasions, but always with an escort of several armed police. After giving our treatments we return to the Sheikh and ask permission to go. He presses us "Are you not afraid of being stabbed and to stay the night, but we have had the experience robbed," they often ask, for they love talking of before. We pick off a few lice that are visible on such subjects. We tell them briefly that our trust our dress and make excuses. We return home as the. coming night chases another passing day to
HANS EGEDE-MISSIONARY TO GREENLAND
the west, to bathe in four gallons of water. If Their trust is in a dead prophet while ours is in that is not available-be patient, Brother! Christ the Risen Lord. bore our sufferings on Calvary and made one sacrifice once and for all; therefore no sacrifice is too When next we visit the spot we find the water great for us to make for Him. We think of the hole dry and the desert empty and bare. All is Arabs we have left behind, and our hearts ache. quiet. They have gone, Gone! GONE! BUT WHERE???
Hans Egede – Missionary to Greenland Last year was the 250th anniversary of Hans Egede's birth. We are indebted to Dr. O. M. Norlie of Luther College, and to the News Bulletin of the National Lutheran Church for the following sketch of this interesting and inspiring Lutheran missionary of long ago.
H ANS EGEDE, the Apostle to Greenland, Gardar, Greenland. Then, for a long and dreary was born January 31, 1686, at Senjen, stretch of over three hundred years, nothing is Northern Norway, 250 years ago. This said about Greenland.
busy world will do well to pause a moment to It was Hans Egede who brought the question up listen to a brief tale about his life and labors. He again. A graduate of the University of Copenwas a hero and saint whose monument is the hagen at 21, he at once married and accepted a ChuroCh of Greenland, of which every person in pastorate in the fishing town of Vaagan, Lofoten Greenland, except two, is a baptized member. Next to Australia, Greenland is the largest island Islands, Norway. While there he read about the in the world. It is more than one-fourth as large Greenland settlements and the Church that had as the United States. It is the most northern once been planted on that remote island. He beland in the world, and perhaps the coldest, for its gan to think about it and to talk about it, and, interior is covered with an immense shield of ice after much careful and prayerful consideration rising from 4,000 feet to 11,000 feet. Its mon- concluded that he ought to go there as a missionstrous fjords discharge numberless icebergs, some ary to his countrymen. He laid the matter beof them ten miles long and a mile or more deep. fore the bishops of Trondheim and of Bergen, but The habitable portion is a thin fringe along the their replies, which were delayed a whole year, southwestern and the southeastern coasts, an area were just honeyed words. His parishioners at first thought his views interesting, then they proof 46,740 miles, or 5% of the total island. tested, later became angry and finally regarded him as deranged. His wife, Gertrude Rask of The first settlers in Greenland were the ancient Bergen, at first did not share with him his desire Norsemen. GunnbjflSrn, Ulf Krage's son, the sages to go to such a desolate and unknown field, but say, was driven by a storm to the coast of Green- through prayer she became convinced that God land in 876 and wintered there. Erik the Red willed it and never afterwards wavered in het made a settlement there in 983, and called the support of him. To this day she is reckoned as land Greenland, hoping to attract settlers. At one of the noblest missionaries in all the annals one time there were six thousand Norsemen liv- of nineteen hundred years of mission work.
ing there. In 1715, Egede wrote a pamphlet defending his In 999, King Olaf Trygvasson of Norway sent idea as to the need of mission work in Greenland and resigned from his pastorate in order to arouse Leif Erikson to Greenland to Christianize it. In- interest for the mission cause. People regarded cidentally he made a voyage of discovery and him as a madman. Church people would not listen found Vinland, and his name is best known as the to him anymore. He turned to the merchants. discoverer of America in 1000. In the Norse He went to Bergen to enlist the merchants in an sagas and the Vatican archives are found occa- expedition of trade with Greenland. It was all sional notices of the Church which Leif established in vain for they dared not make the venture. in Greenland. Thus, in 1112, Pope Paschal II ap- Now, fortunately, the King of Denmark-Norway, pointed Eric Knutsson Bishop of Greenland. In Frederick IV, had started a mission college and 1121, Bishop Eric left Iceland for Vinland. The had sent two missionaries, the German Pi~tists bishops after him are mentioned in the Icelandic Ziegenbalg and Pliitschau, to be missionaries vellums by name in regular succession down to among the Tamils around the Danish trading set- 1409. In a letter of Pope Alexander VI, dated tlement at Tranquebar, South India. The sending 1492, the year of Columbus' discovery of America, of these two to India is considered as the beginthe sad condition of neglected Greenland is reviewed and Matthias is appointed Bishop of
ning of modern Protestant missions. Egede be- ing venture rather than a missionary enter,prise, took himself to the King, who at first refused to and for a year they had not been able to do any consider the Greenland project, but later prom- trading with the natives. In fact, they could not ised to give an annual amount of money to it and even buy provisions and as their supplies were gave Egede public endorsement. With this back- .getting dangerously low, were firmly determined ing, Egede began to get a more respectful hear- to leave for home on a certain day. But, on the ing and by 1721, after thirteen years of agitation, day set for leaving Greenland, three Norwegian he had a trading-colonizing company organized boats came into sight. They brought supplies and and a ship purchased for the voyage. With his reinforcements, and took home such of the colfamily and forty men on board he set sail from onists as were discontented. And so the work Bergen on May 3, 1721, and arrived off the south- went on. At length through the children Egede west coast of Greenland on July 3, 1721, two was permitted to do some small acts of kindness months later. As the natives seemed fearful and among the Eskimos. Fear of him waned and he fled at the approach of the newcomers, he occupied became a welcome guest. He was a hard student a little island off the coast, which he called and made good progress in their language and HaabetsjiS (Island of Hope). This island was to began to understand their ways. At last, on Janbe his headquarters for seven years. uary 10, 1724, he gathered some seventy of them in one of the larger houses and for the first time The Greenlanders, Egede found to be, I).ot de- preached to them in their own language. scendants of the old Norsemen, but an Indian tribe called Innuits or Eskimos. The Norsemen Four years later Egede moved his colony from had disappeared, and their sixteen large churches the little island to the mainland and named the and their houses were all gone. As stated, the new station Godthaab (Good Hope). It is still natives were timid and afraid and unapproach- one of the chief towns of Greenland and the seat able. They had had experience with strange of the Greenland Lutheran Theological Seminary, ships, with whalers and merchantmen who had which trains the native ministry of today. Other often come to rob and kill as well as to barter. stations were added as time went on: one at On one occasion, according to Egede's "Dagbog" Christianshaab in 1734 by Hans Egede, several (Daybook) a whaler came and set fire to an by his son, Paul, later on, as at Frederikshaab in Eskimo village, came again the next year and re- 1742, at J akobshavn in 1749, at Claushavn in peated the crime. No wonder they were afraid 1752. The king gave Hans Egede the title of of Egede and fled to the hillsides when he came Bishop of Greenland, later applied to his son, Paul ashore. In fact, the first year he was on the Island Egeqe, and other successors. of Hope the village on the mainland near by was emptied of its inhabitants. It was mainly through But though Egede had won the confidence of his children, Paul and Nils and the two daughters, the Eskimos, there were many hardships. Buildwho played with the Eskimo children, that ing material and many kinds of food had to be imfriendly relations were gradually established. ported from Europe. There was often danger of starvation and real famine. There was sickness Egede set to work to learn the language, which and even plague. The opposition from the native was not then written. He started to translate the priesthood was deep-rooted. Some of the colonists catechism and portions of the Bible into their and traders that had come over were not morally tongue. It was a difficult undertaking, for their what they should be. In 1727 the trading comvocabulary was very meager. How, for example, pany which Egede had organized dissolved, as it could he render "Lamb of God" to a people who was not a paying venture. This was a hard blow, had never seen a lamb and had no word for it in but Egede asked his king in· faith to send him their language? There were other obstacles too. more workers, and he sent him two new mission- The native priests did not welcome the new re- aries, Ole Lange and Heinrich Milzong. In 1731 ligion. The people, like ignorant heathen else- a ship came to port with the sad news that Fredwhere in the world, were prone to superstitious erick IV, the friend of missions, both in "Greenbeliefs and practices. One superstition was that land's icy mountains" and· on "India's coral sickness was due to witchcraft. So, when some strands," was dead. Egede got orders to return one got sick, the thing to do was to find the witch to Norway. The royal support was withdrawn. that was causing the trouble. Usually some poor, But the Greenlanders urged him to stay, and Gerhelpless old woman was seized, tortured to death, trude, his wife, agreed with him that it was their her heart taken out, her body sawed to bits and duty. So they stayed on. The new king, Christhrown into the waves of the sea. There was tian VI, joined the Pietist movement and became no hope of curing a sickness until this had been friendly to the mission cause. Count Zinzendorf done. Such superstitions died hard. was present at his coronation and witnessed the baptism of two Greenland boys that Egede had Again, the expedition had been at base a trad-
HANS EGEDE-MISSIONARY 1'0 GREENLAND
sent to Denmark to be trained. This gave Zin- and enlightened people, due to the solid foundazendorf an idea, which his Church, the Moravian Brethren, then and there began to .put into action. tions laid by Hans Egede and his son, Paul. The idea was to bring the Gospel to the heathen. Zinzendorf pleaded with King Christian VI to When Hans Egede came back to Norway he was support Egede, and from then on Christian was a staunch friend of the Greenland mission. Zinzen- engaged in speaking about the work of his misdorf went a step further. He himself would send missionaries to Greenland to help out. He sent sion. The University of Copenhagen established three good men to start with who made their first station and headquarters at a place they called a Greenland Seminary and made" him the director New Herrnhut, some distance north of Godthaab. Strange to say, their coming was in many ways a of it, a position he held until 1747, when he asked hindrance to Egede's work, for they opposed him, notwithstanding that he was always kindly and to be relieved. In his retirement he lived at Stubhelpful towards them. The worst hardship that befell the mission during Hans Egede's stay was bekj~bing on the little island of Falster, Denmark. the smallpox plague in 1735. A boy came down with this dread disease, which spread rapidly from There he died on November 5, 1758, at seventyhut to hut and laid waste whole villages so that there was not a man left to bury the dead. Some two and was buried beside his dear wife in the three thousand died of the scourge, including Gertrude Rask Egede, the beloved and faithful Nikolai Cemetery. The Eskimos to this day call wife of Hans. Then, at her death, broken down by untiring labors and sorrow, he asked that he him the "Unforgettable Father." " might return to his homeland for a season of rest. He preached his farewell sermon on July 28, 1736, A DOCTOR'S NIGHT AT FATEHPUR* vona.mth.e. s.a.d"text Isaiah 40: 4-"1 have labored in (By one who sleeps on the Hospital roof) But had he labored in vain? Although after The birds have hushed their sweetest bedtime songs, fifteen years of work he had baptized only twenty For dusk has quickly faded into night. people, he had prepared the soil and had /'lown much good seed that was to bear abundant fruit. The monkeys, crooning, moaning in the trees, Said one native to him: "You have done for us Are soon to hush, until the break of light. what none of our own would have done. You have stayed by us in our sickness and fed us out of A traveler on his way to cheer of home, your store. You have buried our dead who other- Goes singing down the now-deserted road. wise would not have received burial and would have been devoured by dogs and ravens and foxes. Anon come jingling bells and trotting hoofs- But above all you have told us about God and the An ekka driver clicking-on his load. Saviour and Heaven, so that we can die in joy and have a sure hope of a better life in the world When time has come for sleep, a jackal howls, to come." And then the pack let out blood-curdling cries His work was continued by his son Paul Egede, 'Til all the dogs awake and start to bark; who spoke the Eskimo like a native and was a It seems as though they echo round the skies. truly great linguist and administrator. He wrote in the Eskimo language a dictionary, a grammar, And from the distance comes the rhythmic drum Luther's Catechism, the New Testament, the Of tom-toms, of some Hindu wedding feast. Church Book. He extended the missions along the whole west coast of Greenland over one thou- And long into the night their frenzied beats sand miles. The Church in Greenland has ever Grow faster, when all else from sound has ceased. since been a living Church, although like the churches in the homeland it was at low ebb dur- Then wearied from their play, 'tis silent night ing the period of Rationalism. The first heathen And all sleep on, but those who guard the townin Greenland to be baptized, a Protestant, was in 1725, the last was in 1856. Heathenism has been The chaukidars, who call abruptly out, driven from the land. They are a God-fearing While others answer, walking up and down.
And then-sometimes-that sleep disturbing cry: "Oh, chaukidar, oh, come unlock the gate,"
And heavy wheels come crunching down the path. The prodded oxen stop, and then I wait.
And muffled voices soon are heard below, The lights flash out, with tasks soon under way, Inevitable footsteps to my roof Of nurse who calls, "A patient's come to stay."
And then below, the night becomes as day, And we all work to save that woman's life, The baby's too, if haply it still lives 'Spite villagers with ignorance so rife.
And just before the dawn there comes a lull, The woman resting, sleeping after pain; Before the birds their morning chatter start, There's stillness and some peaceful sleep again.
Upon my sleep there breaks a glorious hymn; It is the nurses at their start of day.
"So soon, another day in which to live?" Oh yes, to praise and pray, and work and play. GERTRUDE J. SMITH, M.D.
• From The Missionary lAnk, New York.
Martyrs of
1- 1Ilf By the REV. MURDOCH MacKINNON, D.D. Il~- THREE generations ago Erromanga, a large tions of war. Now we have built a vessel to carry island in the South Seas, was in the grip of the Word of Life, a more excellent thing, and no heathenism. Domestic life was practically vessel has ever been built in this historic dockyard unknown; the tribes were at war, and victories with more pleasure than John Williams V."
were celebrated by public feasts at which the The report of this happy event stated that as bodies of captives were served as a delicacy. But the vessel struck the water the Scottish pipers, the cries of little children and the groans of without direction beforehand, struck up the Scot-'
strangled widows were wafted hither by the warm tish air, "Off to the Isles," amid a hearty burst of breezes from the South, and found response from cheers.
the heart of Christendom. Eighty years ago Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon "I am received with the utmost respect," writes arrived at Erromanga on the mission vessel, the Dr. H. A. Robertson, in one of his recent reports. John Williams, and for upwards of four years "Peace and goodwill prevail all over this fair they lived and worked there. Three months later, isle." he had translated the Ten Commandments. Mrs.
The secret of this change may be deciphered Gordon began by teaching two small boys, who from a tablet erected within "The Martyrs' Me- afterwards became faithful Christian teachers. morial Church," Erromanga. A part of the in- Kindness and unselfishness never yet failed to scription reads thus: disclose hidden worth in the human heart. The younger people listened to the story of Jesus and SACRED TO THE MEMORY the love of God; the old people heard of the cross of the Missionaries who died on this Island of Calvary and the Home of "many mansions." They were intensely interested, and the work GEORGE N. GORDON seemed to prosper. ELLEN C. GORDON But heathenism dies hard, especiaiIy when the Killed by the people of Unepang greed of civilized men allies itself with it. The May 20th, 1861 cruelties and falsehoods of the sandalwood traders JAMES D. GORDON. outstripped anything that benighted Erromanga Killed at Potnuma, March 7th, 1872 could produce. The influence of the missionary tended to make the dishonesty of the trading more difficult. Hence the trader prejudiced the people George N. Gordon and his devoted wife were against Mr. Gordon, saying, "He brought the the first European missionaries to live on Erro- measles to you for did he not tell you that God's manga and to John Williams belongs the honor judgment was coming? He also caused the earth- of having been the first to suffer martyrdom quake and your other misfortunes."
there. He had carried on successful work for The poison had the desired effect. A plot was over twenty years in other islands of the South laid and speedily executed by nine savages, Lovo, Pacific, but no sooner had he and his friend Harris a chief, being party to it. What are one unsus- landed on Erromanga than the murderous people pecting couple against Erromangans with toma- fell on them. Thus they consecrated the island hawks. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon sleep on the banks with their blood, and the little streamlet flowing of the Williams River but no heathen celebration, red that day spoke of peace to the dusky sons of no cannibal feast disturb their dreams. The the South. Christian young men who laid them to rest vowed The launching of John Williams V at Grange- that they would win Erromanga for Christ or mouth, England, a few years ago, forms a sig- perish with their missionaries in the attempt. .
nificant commentary on the saying that "the blood The mother of George Gordon, of Alberton, of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." A rep- Prince Edward Island, had still another son, and resentative of the shipbuilding company said: the heroic spirit which she communicated to her "We have built vessels for commerce, for pleas- children was not crushed. By the grace of God ure, and, I regret to say, vessels to carry muni- she was ready to give this other son to Christ in [378 ]
SIXTY YEARS IN THE CONGO BELGE
so great a cause. J ames Gordon was preparing to them and the Spirit of God worked directly ort for the ministry, and when he heard of his broth- their hearts. He who called Williams called his er's death, he said, "Now it is my turn, I must successors. The Gordon brothers were nature's go." He sailed from Halifax on the famous Mis- noblemen, tall, handsome, athletic. They were sion ship, Dayspring, and in 1864 arrived at the men of intellectual power, with a genius for lanscene of his brother's labors and martyrdom. He guages. They were eloquent, persistent, fervent. gave himself to the work with enthusiasm, pre- They were men of prayer. senting the Gospel to the people in its simplicity and power. Progress was evident on every hand, The Church lives by spiritual conquest, and the and the Word that was sown in weakness was be- Gordons were bent on conquest in the name of the ing raised in power. But the spirit of heathenism Christ and in the power of the Cross. Their death was not yet appeased. It called for another vic- seemed premature and the sacrifice great, but tim. Disease broke out and the missionary was Erromanga is now a Christian island and today again blamed. Nerimpaw's two children died sends out missionaries. The heart of our people after Gordon had given them medicine. (The was stirred and the church at home was wakened hundreds of other children whom he treated, re- out of sleep. covered.) Enough! While he was translating the Acts, and had reached the account of Ste- The foreign missionary not only extends the phen's martyrdom, Nerimpaw's tom a haw k Church abroad, but also is used to save the Church plunged deep into his head, and he too "fell at home. In an age when the world is too much asleep." in evidence, it is inspiriting to hear of these brothers, who gave themselves to the service of There is nothing that calls forth the heroic Christ for the sake of redeeming men. The one spirit like a manifestation of heroism. The Gor- was the first missionary to live, and the other the dons had heard of Williams and as growing boys last martyr to die, on Erromanga. The Church had listened to the voice of John Geddie. The re- that gave the Gordons has other heroes awaiting ports of his work in Aneityum appealed strongly the call of the Master. The Christ who has saved Erromanga can save the world.
Sixty Years in the Congo BeIge By the REV. THOMAS MOODY Missionary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society AFTER Henry M. Stanley crossed equatorial Congo, with one thousand mISSIOnaries superin- tending the work. The church members in all .L'. Africa and came out at Bauana in August, Belgian Congo number over 250,000, in addition 1877, the English Baptist missionaries to Christians under instruction who number 275,- started for the Congo in 1878. The missionaries 035. More than ten thousand village schools enof many other societies have also entered until roll over 350,000 boys and girls. they have practically occupied the Belgian Congo Many of the mission stations have had very for Christ. great blessings. Sona Bata, of the American Bap- From that day to this the progress of the work tist Foreign Mission Society, where I spent the last few years, was opened in 1890. After several has been wonderfully blessed of God. The mission- revivals we had an exceptional turning to God of aries have gone in with the idea of preaching the the natives in 1921 in which for ten years in suc- Gospel of Christ to the natives and giving them cession over a thousand people were baptized each the Word of God in their own tongue as soon as year and were received into the church on confesit was possible. As a result today the Christian sion of faith. At present there are 10',309 memchurches are in every part of the Belgian Congo, bers connected with this station, with 303 village a large number being self-supporting, self-propa- schools and 7,874 pupils. Besides the church gating, self-sustaining, indigenous churches and boarding school there is a school for medical aswith schools, from the common bush school to the sistants and nurses. The Sona Bata field covers schools for the preparation of teachers and 10,000 square miles with 100,000 people and 2,000 preachers to carry on the work. A large amount villages. We have preached the Gospel in one of the work is done entirely by the African teach- half of their villages but the other 1,000 we have ers and preachers, the oversight of the mission- not entered. When I went out in 1890, there were aries, often being limited to one or two visits a less than 5,000 church members in all the Belgian year to the churches in charge of the natives. Congo and now they number 250,000.
At present there are some forty different Protestant missionary societies working in Belgian
GIFT REVEALS THE GIVER-A
"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16.
This verse tells of the greatest Gift the world has ever known. Other passages from God's Word march in procession before the mind : "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, b.ecause that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." 1 John 4: 9.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15: 13.
"Without shedding of blood is no remission." Hebrews 9: 22. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him."
Hebrews 7: 25. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, . . . he hath declared him."
John 1: 18.
The mind clings to the thought, God's Gift, even Jesus, reveals God to me; then is it not true that my gifts reveal me to God?
Jesus, God's Gift, reveals to the human heart far more of God than mere paper and ink can ever convey. Four characteristics of God the Father are definitely revealed in His Gift and are all suggested in the words of John 3: 16.
1. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S LOVE "GOD SO LOVED . • . that he gave his only begotten Son." "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S VISION "God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his only begotten Son." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
3. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S WISDOM "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH." "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
4. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S POWER "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in hi1n should not perish, but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life."
If Jesus, the Gift of God, reveals to us God's love for us, God's vision of the needy world, God's wisdom in providing a way of escape from sin, and God's power to save, surely our gifts also reveal us to God.
Take a. backward look at your gifts of the past year, to test yourself by them. Center your thoughts on the gifts which you plan to bring in the coming year as gifts to Him, week by week and month by month. Ask yourself: What do my gifts reveal of my love for Him who gave all for me, of my vision of this sin-stained world, of my knowledge of the way of salvation, and of my faith in God's power through Christ to save all men everywhere. If you are not sure that the revelation made through your gifts is in line with what you feel in your heart, will you sacrifice even more, until you are confident that, seeing the gifts, God will know the depth of your love. Then you will know the secret which Jesus sought to disclose, but which has been kept from many of us: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." -Adapted from Janie McCutchen, in "The Presbyterian Survey."
[380 ]
A Brahman Christian-Nehemiah
The Father of the Author of Uln the Secret of His Presence"
I T WAS a great victory for the Christian mis- the fame of Pandit Goreh, had an interview with sions when Nilakanta Sastri, the Indian pandit him at Benares and took him to Europe as his and scholar, abandoned the Brahmanic reli- tutor in 1854. ,In England, the Goreh was allowed gion of his forefathers and accepted Jesus Christ. an audience with Queen Victoria along with the Nilakanta was born on February 8, 1825, in a Maharajah. He also attended theological lectures village near Jhansi. He belonged to a high class at Islington. This stay brought him into contact konkan family and his father, though born in with some of the great men of the Church of Eng- Poona, migrated early to the north. Soon after land and he had the privilege of meeting with Prof.
Nilakanta's birth the family moved on to Benares, Max Muller at Oxford.
the citadel of Hinduism. Here Goreh was brought For thirteen years Goreh worked as Headmas- up in the lap of luxury as an uncle became Dewan ter of a school under the Church Missionary So- of a State and he was given the best of education ciety., In 1861 he was ordained a Deacon and at that time. He studied Sanscrit under learned sent to start a mission at Mhow in Central India Shastris, specializing in the Vedas, the Nyaya and and later to Chanda in Central Provinces. At grammar. He had a strong prejudice against Cawnpore he came in touch with the Brahmo Christianity as he thought it a "religion fitted for leader, Keshub Chandra Sen, and in the course ignorant Mlechchas only." But Goreh began an of discussion discovered to his surprise that earnest study of the Bible to pick holes in it and Keshub had not read books on the evidences of strengthen his position as a st,aunch advocate of Christian faith. This interview made Goreh Hinduism. The Sermon on the Mount captivated take a special interest in Brahmo Movement and him and drew him near to Christ. His interest write pamphlets to win them over to the Christian steadily grew and contact with missionaries con- faith. He criticized Brahmo Movement as a com- vinced him that Christ's religion is the only satis- promise between Hinduism and Christianity.
fying faith. His father and uncle implored him In 1883 Goreh wrote his important work in not to desert them and their religion, but Nila- Marathi entitled, Is there any proof that Chris- kanta stood firm in his conviction. He challenged tianity is a divl~nely given religion? to meet cer- the pandits of Benares to debate the truth of the tain religious difficulty of Pandita Ramabai who Gospel of Christ. Though his deep affection for was not then a Christian. Later he published a his father made him hesitate to embrace Chris- series of his lectures entitled, Christianity not of tian religion, he finally was baptized on March man but of God. Among his many other publica- 14, 1848, by the Rev. Robert Hawes at Jaunpur tions, and one of the most useful to missionaries, and was given the Christian name of Nehemiah. was-The genuineness of the Holy Gospels. His It was not easy to bring his wife to the new health gradually failed and he passed on to his faith. After his baptism she was supposed to be Rest on October 29, 1895, at the age of 70. It widowed and was kept in privacy. Later, by great has been remarked of him, "The intensed devotion efforts, the husband and wife were brought to- and self-denial of the Brahman missionary, his gether though she remained Hindu for some time. genuine humility and modesty, as well as his pro- Finally, she saw the light revealed in Christ and found erudition, set off the eternal mode of his was baptized with their only daughter, Ellen life, his poverty, his emaciated look, his plain Lakshmi, shortly after joining the Goreh Church. mendicant-like attire-made him to be regarded Unfortunately the mother died soon, leaving the by the people generally, European and Indian, as orphan girl who was the father's pride and joy. a Sadhu, the beau ideal of a Christian missionary."
This daughter has immortalized her name through By his example, and the vigor and persistency her great hymn, "In the Secret of His Presence." of his advocacy of the Christian Gospel, he was She passed away recently at Cawnpore, after a able to convert several men who afterwards be- long period of distinguished service in the cause came his colleagues in the great task. Christian of Christ. evangelism to be truly effective and fruitful in Nehemiah Goreh was an excellent writer and our present day calls for Christian Indians of a used his profound knowledge in Sanscrit in trans- rare type like Nehemiah Goreh with intense de- lating some work to justify the ways of Christ to votion, deep conviction and self-denial.
his fellow-countrymen. Maharaj Duleep Singh, By T. D., in "The National Missionary himself a convert to the Christian faith, heard of Intelligencer."
[ 381 ]
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO The Place of Missionary Edu- ary interest and motivations that outlook. Circulation of the right sort cation in Church Enterprise will withstand winds of criticism of books will help. and droughts of spiritual aspira- Shall missionary education be tion. There is a lack of qualified teachers integrated into religious educa- of missionary education. Three things tion? "This," says Bulletin Dr. T. H. P. Sailer and a com- are needed by these teachers: Mis- No. 5 of the Professional Ad- mittee consisting of Leila Bag- sionary information, knowledge of visory Section on Missionary ley, Genevieve Brown, S. F. missions, and contagious missionary Education of the International Mack and J. L. Lobingier (chair- interest. A s'U!bje'ct like missions Council of Religious Education, man) have gathered together the needs not only the material that can "is a perennial subject." Among results of the discussion of the be found in the teacher's quarterly, the bulletins of this Section, topic at a meeting of the Profes- but a broad background. Few teachprevious issues of which dealing sional Advisory Section, in Chi- ers have this. Methods other than with specific, interdenomina- cago, and supplemented them those in Sunday school classes and tional methods have been re- with suitable new material for group meetings will be needed. . . . viewed in this Department, the the pamphlet. Here are a few present one is far and away the high lights indicative of the Without leaders of this type missionmost comprehensive and schol- motif, method, trend and sub- ary education will be integrated only arly and deserves careful study ject matter: in name but not in fact. The most on the part of pastors, Sunday ideal curriculum on paper will be deschool superintendents and de- The principal aim of education is vitalized if presented in a perfuncpartmental heads, as well as tory way. Therefore the first move leaders in men's and women's to expand our interests and help us should be to concentrate on securing organizations in the local church leaders and improving their quality. and denominational executive to see things in a broader perspective. boards. It goes deeper than any Has missionary education a real mere "ways of working"-down Missionary education should not seem contribution to make to work that is to the undergirding religious already being done in religious eduand educational principles which to be a competitor with issues that cation? Let us not seek to introduce render mere patterns secondary are more immediately important, but missionary applications, illustrations and relatively inconsequential in and talks because missions must be that the trained person can work an aid in broadening our vision so gotten in somehow, but because it out his own methods on any really enriches experience. Chrisgiven subject – whether it be that we shall see thin~s more as God tianity is essentially a world religion "Rural Missions" or "The Mos- sees them. The essential thing that . . . and is needed by the whole lem World." world. . . . The material should not missionary education contributes to be lugged in by the ears but help to The claims of this new Bul- add significance. . . . The five min-' letin to citation in a methods religious education is a sense of uni- utes a Sunday or 20 minutes a month department are valid in that talks to a whole department or school very fact and also that in its versality, with a knowledge of the should not seek merely to add variety latter portion it dips deeply into or furnish information, but to make specifics for every department needs of all mankind and a growing religious education more vital by supof church endeavor. It is a plying the elements that are needed large-sized, twenty -three – page participation in the meeting of those but too frequently omitted. pamphlet that will challenge the understanding of simple folk as needs. . . . Missionary education The new courses of study for the well as the most intellectual church school are inserting specifically workers who desire to dig more rests on the assumption that Chris- missionary lessons or short units. deeply and discriminatingly into tianity has something of supreme . . . The present arrangement offers the human soil of all age inter- a great opportunity. Well qualified ests in order to implant mission- value for all mankind, and that this teachers can arouse such interest in the subject that outside work will be will not be transmitted without spe- undertaken. This may lead to church schools of missions, independent dis- cial effort. It holds that Christianity cussion groups on missions, campaigns of missionary reading and special is a universal and not merely a na- projects. The only way to secure time is to make the subject so attractive tional or racial religion, that what- that people will give time.
ever efforts are worth making to pro- The best way to deal with such a situation (where the atmosphere of vide religious education for ourselves local churches is depressing to the missionary spirit) may be to trans- and our communities are equally de- plant individuals temporarily to other climates such as summer conferences sirable for other groups throughout where they mary catch the heOJ1Jenly the world. . . . Without the knowl- edge of Christ for personal guidance or social cooperation, their (the ma- jority of needy mankind) welfare be- comes a major concern of a Kingdom- centered curriculum. – The attitude of the pastor and other church leaders will be very important (in securing an adequate ideal of a basis for this new curriculum). The issue may be faced in meetings and discussion groups. Delegates may be sent to summer conferences and in- stitutions where they will get a larger [382 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
VtstOn. Where this is not possible it 3. Do I carry these brotherly Methods Briefs for Primary may be best to concentrate on a small, ideals into my daily rela- Teaching select group. Under these conditions tionships with people of the temperature may be raised as it other racial, national and Mexico: On table covered would not be for the staid majority. social groups? with serape or other colorful Manifestly, missionary education 4. Am I adding an intimate woven scarf, arrange pottery, will never be effectively integrated knowledge of a race or unless people will bestow brains and people to my intellectual plain or painted gourds, clay pains on the process. At the founda- assets each year? tion of the whole matter must be the hats used as pin trays, cans of effort to bring people to care deeply 5. Do I feel that other people string beans, Mexican pictures for the thorough integration of mis- have a contribution to cut from magazines, etc. Make sionary education. Churches which make to my life, or do I posters of cut-out pictures to iltry to operate machinery without suffi- feel that missions implies lustrate talks. Tell how the rovcient steam will surely be disap- a one-way relationship? ing vegetable pickers live in povpointed. erty and squalor, children- 6. Does my conception of home working hard like their elders- Then follow "Practical appli- missions inc 1u d e the do not even know the meaning cations of integration for church Christian solution of such of "home." Adapt stories from organizations"; some "Practical problems of our national "The Laughingest Lady," by questions for discussion" such life as social and economic Elinor Cowan Stone; "From as: the use of costumes, curios, justice, race relations and Every Tribe and Nation," by stunts, etc., for entertainment or the alcohol problem? Belle M. Brain (using the story, decorative purposes, employ- "Dona Carmen, a Living Episment of conventional methods, 7. Am I endeavoring to secure tle") and denominational leaflets outlining a year's programs for for missionary education on the subject. Have the chila women's association so as to its normal, integral place dren cut small adobe houses integrate their work into the in the worship, the in- from bogus paper and make a whole program, best plans for struction, the offerings Mexican village on sand table or linking up the Sunday school, and the activities of all in window, adding trees, a donetc. ; "factors essential to in- departments of the local key, chickens and children. Posttegration"; some practical cur- church life? ers may be made of children riculum suggestions as to form, feeding donkeys or chickens, material and methods; "Over- 8. Am I increasingly seeing picking beans or carrying hamhead counsel and cooperation"; and using opportunities pers of them, and donkeys bear- "Integration from the viewpoint for the disseminating of ing panniers loaded with beans. of the denominational program" ; missionary knowledge and Women may be making pottery. questions proposed to executive interest through the loan- Have offering taken up by darkboards of the Presbyterian, the ing of missionary books haired boy in white suit with Congregational and Christian, and magazines, the choice wide, bright sash tied over the United Lutheran and the of hymns at meetings shoulder and under arm, the Methodist Episcopal churches where I preside, the em- gifts being received in highare given with summaries of the phasis in my pub lie crowned beach hat with little replies; and a very concrete prayers, the collecting and balls on edge of wide brim. He specific section devoted to plans sharing of pictures, sto- may be assisted by girl with for children's, young people's ries, pageants, p I a y s, straight black hair, wearing red and adults' programs in mission- curios and costumes? or yellow dress and bright scarf ary education. This last is well tied over hair. Chicken sandworth the price of the pamphlet, 9. Have I read at least one wiches, small servings of string which is only 25 cents. Send book the past year in the beans with oil dressing, sliced orders to Miss Leila Bagley, 810 general field of missions? hard-cooked eggs or sman bowls Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. of chile con carne, both of the 10. If I work with children or latter served with crackers, may Measuring Myself-A Mission- young people have I read be used as refreshments. "Jesus ary Efficiency Test at least one book on mis- Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the sions in my specific field? Little Children of the World" 1. Do I have thoroughly Chris- are appropriate songs. tian motives for my mis- 11. Am I sharing my resources sionary activities? Are with the missionary cause Indians: Give local color with they definitely based on in a systematic manner? pottery, baskets, beads, mocca- love for God and love for sins, tiny totem poles, etc., ar- man? 12. Have I made any actual con- ranged on table covered with tribution to the cause of Indian blanket, and with bright 2. Am I cherishing more broth- missions during the past posters made from cut-out pic- erly ide a I s concerning year other than my finan- tures. Feathered headdresses other peoples each year? cial contribution? may be made by the children Can I see the worth of the from craft paper or even com- individual regardless of -United Christian Mission- his race or culture? ary Society Leaflet.
mon brown wrapping paper, from "The World's Children for for Indian and South American Jesus." Refreshments of pop- studies (which were used in the ornamenting with feathers and corn balls or plain popcorn, United Study Course last year) drawings with colored crayons. candy in shape of pumpkins or may be had from denominational Large or small wigwams can be grains of corn. One may some- missionary literature headquarmade from the same paper. times find little candy turkeys. ters or the Missionary Education Color long strips of paper first Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., yellow, then orange, then brown South America: Keynote, a N. Y., at 75 cents each. "Stories (several children working on large map of country with inter- South of the Equator" will be same strip), making all strokes found very helpful. lacing letters, A, B, C, for Arin same direction. Soak paper gentina, Bra z i I and Chili, Groups not adhering to the mounted down front. Leader current United Study courses two or three minutes in water, may form their plans from such open carefully over bucket, drain points out location and tells suggestions as the foregoing; off water and crumple between something about each of three while workers using the new fingers as fine as possible. countries, then says she has a Spread flat on folded news- bag of gifts from South Amer- topics of "Rural America" and papers, coat with orange shellac, ica from which the children, "The Moslem World," noting the coming up one at a time, may principles involved, may be aided using large, flat bristle brushes select something. For this a in working out their presentawhich may be cleaned in alcohol, going-away bag has previously tions to little folks at the age the shellac being diluted with been paeked with a bone button, when eye-gate, ear-gate and a-lcohol if too thick. When dried bone-handled toothbrush, leather hand must be made teammates. coin purse, little red shoe, billthis paper looks and feels like fold, band from sewing machine, The suggestions are from skin and makes a fine wigwam. leather-covered boo k, jacket, Annye L. Allison's work among Large one very effective made chipped dried bee f, gelatin, juniors. over framework of poles, tied together at top and fastened to coffee, chocolate, cocoa, Chili The outlines raise the quesfloor. Fasten paper securely to pepper, mixed spices, orange, tions of the Church's responsipoles at bottom and lace together bility in relation to social condiwith raffia or twine, using large lemon, grapefruit, Brazil nuts, tions, to what extent such re- silver spoon, glass set in lieu of sponsibility can be formulated raffia needle not too sharp. Have a diamond, ostrich feather, into a universally applicable sys- monkey fur, rubber bands, children draw on 9'xI2' paper eraser, comb, phonograph rec- tem of Christian social prinfigures of Indians, wigwams, ciples, what our personal and shocks of corn, fish, pumpkins, ord, bright feathers, sea beans, group responsibility is, where toy snake and other appropriate we obtain our criteria and data deer, bears, turkeys, ponies and objects wrapped in tissue paper in arriving at judgments, and large Indian heads. They may to look like gifts. Have each how we can implement these string popcorn or macaroni principles in terms of social ac- gift opened, laid on table and tion. The programs are inbroken into small pieces, with explained. When bag is empty, tended primarily for the monthly disks of construction paper in meetings of the women's or- give talk on the country, discuss- ganization, but have additional lieu of beads, to be worn with ing the things it needs from us suggestions for their more exthe headdresses. They also en- – Bibles, religious literature, tensive use in general group joy making posters of wigwams churches, Sunday schools, hos- meetings. Pastors would find pitals, etc. English books not them heJpful for the midweek or cliff dwellings, trees, corn, church services. pottery, rugs, baskets, etc., these available because the language to be drawn, painted or done in is mostly Spanish. Names of *** paper-cutting. Let them bring missionaries may be given, prayer offered for their work "Prayer in the land of the fir such things as arrowheads, bas- and Bible verses found begin- tree and pine. kets, beads, shells, etc., from home. Indian nature writing ning with A, Band C. Prayer in the land of the fig always interests them and they tree and vine. like to learn the signs. Have The results of an imaginary dark-haired boy wearing head- trip to South America were vis- Prayer where the waves dash loudly and cold. dress and blanket collect offer- ualized by the writer in an iming in basket or jar. A box for provised moving picture – pic- Prayer where the lion stalks fearless and bold. some Indian mission may be tures pasted on strip of paper packed. If a victrola is avail- with explanatory cap t ion s, Prayer in cathedrals whose able, play such selections as names of missionaries written spires tower high. the "Love Call," "Marcellina," etc. Use selections from "Hia- and verses chosen for each Prayer in kirks and cabins watha," "Lady Yea r dIe y' s country, the ends of this long close by. strip being fastened to two Guest," "Joc's Coals of Fire" broomsticks turned by boys to Prayer where two are gathered (from "The Rules of the Game" show the entire reel. The leader to pray. by Lambertson), and various read all script aloud for the benstories of mission work among efit of the little folks unable to Everywhere, eve r y w her e, prayer today." Indians. Close devotional part read for themselves. Textbooks of meeting with Indian stanza The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "I Was a Stranger" the curt 'Move on, you!' of the transient bureaus and camps in sheriff at the county line, or ac- operation-295 bureaus and 190 "For I was hungry, and ye tual arrest and sentence to the camps. With the reduction in gave me to eat; I was thirsty, workhouse or the chain gang, relief spending in 1934-1935 and ye gave me drink; I was a have been and still are the pen- came the order to the states "to stranger, and ye took me in; alties too frequently exacted close intake at the transient cennaked, and ye clothed me; I was from the victim of unguided mi- ters and camps and to liquidate sick, and ye visited me; I was in gration. Having no responsible the entire program as of Novemprison, and ye came unto me. agency to direct him to oppor- ber 1, 1935. Then shall the righteous answer tunity for personal employment, him, saying, Lord, when saw we he drifts or is shoved in this di- "During the 20 months of life thee hungry, and fed thee? or rection or that. ' of the transient program, state athirst, and gave thee drink? and local authorities had been And when saw we thee a "Not all those who move from completely absorbed in adminisstranger, and took thee in? or place to place are mentally or tering ERA, CWA, and various naked, and clothed thee? And physically competent to under- other related activities under when saw we thee sick, or in take to fend for themselves in a 'emergency' legislation. No prison, and came unto thee ?" new field. But men are not al- thought had been given to an Matthew 25: 35-40. ways at fault for having no adjustment of the old poor laws money saved on which to sup- to meet new conditions." "Move On, You!" * port themselves after months in the lumber camp, or on railroad "By March, 1936, many states "Traditionally the American construction, or following the had become thoroughly alive to people have regarded the stran- crops. Often enough the wages the fact that it was not enough ger who asked for alms as a for which they work are grossly to ask for federal funds with ne'er-do-well whose own fault it inadequate to meet their needs. which to meet the needs of tranwas that he found himself in Compelled as they are to take sient relief, but that there must such sorry straits. Let him help the only jobs they can get, there be a sharing of responsibility himself ! Was there not oppor- are times when they need help between national and state govtunityand success for every man from the society which tolerates ernments and that the states to take care of himself if he these conditions." must face the fact that their 'had it in him'? own laws of legal settlement The depression years of 1930 were, by their rigidity and lack "The man who takes to the and 1931 saw a tremendous in- of uniformity, creating some of road' today in quest of work crease in the numbers in those the very problems of which all carries with him, unaware, the illegally "riding the rods." Still states complained." ball and chain of the settlement more were "thumbing a ride." laws of Old England. If work is The budgets of private agencies Three interstate conferences not found and, need develops, he which had been aiding these have been held. suddenly finds himself in an transients were steadily declinalien community, unwelcome, ing and the numbers needing "In all these conferences the with no legal claim for aid, with help were steadily increasing. Committee on Care of Transient limited private charitable re- A National Committee on Care and Homelesst kept up a drumsources available to him, and of Transient and Homeless was fire on the objective of federal, with suspicion directed toward composed of individuals from state, and local responsibility in him as a dangerous character. national agencies concerned with this field, together with em- The hospitality of the police some phase of the problem of phasis on the basic remedies of station, the 'two meals and a transiency and homelessness. 'surer direction and guidance' flop' in a municipal lodging Through the efforts of this com- for men in search of employhouse or second-rate mission, mittee the Federal Transient ment. Unification of the laws Program was formulated. of legal settlement throughout • Excerpts from "After Five Years," pub- the United States was urged, as lished by the Committee on Care of Tran- By 1934, forty-four states and was the vesting of responsibility sient and Homeless, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New the District of Columbia had York, price 10 cents, t The Council of Women for Home Mis- [385 ] sions Is represented on this Committee. in the state governments to de- was a desire to express the spirit Kingdom of God under the captermine settlement. The federal of the Preaching Mission-unity tion, "Thy Kingdom Come." Dr. and state authorities were asked of effort for the Kingdom of Lyman said that to Jesus the to prov'ide the necessary funds God. Kingdom meant living the will with which to meet the relief of God and that His was one life needs of the unsettled person. The four organizations, The lived in harmony with God. An Council of Women for Home ideal was held before this great "Each of these conferences Missions, the Women's Commit- group of city women to leave the appointed a continuing commit- tee of the Foreign Missions Con- distracting small things and live tee charged with carrying out ference, the National Council of lives in harmony with God, decertain recommendations of the Federated Church Women and voted to the interests of His conference and with bringing the Women's Cooperating Com- Kingdom. What could not be the resolutions of the conference mission of the Federal Council accomplished by this challenge to the attention of the proper of Churches, combined to bring to seven hundred women put authorities. together the church women of into action? metropolitan New York. Nearly "The Council of State Govern- 700 sat down in fellowship. The second speaker of the day, ments, meeting in its Third Gen- While the greater number were Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo, D.D., lately eral Assembly in Washington in from metropolitan New York, come to New York from Wash- January, 1937, with representa- including cities and towns in ington, D. C., brought rich extion from 45 states, adopted a New Jersey, We s t c he s t e r periences from his contacts with series of resolutions favoring County, New York, and Long varying groups. All he found 'uniform and reciprocal state Island, there were guests from going back for satisfaction of laws to iron out some of the con- Poughkeepsie, New York; Stam- heart-hunger to the Christian flicts in the field of social se- ford and Norwalk, Connecticut; faith. Dr. Sizoo had as his topic curity.' It recommended a stand- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; "For Such a Day as This," and ard requirement of one year to Washington, D. C. ; the Bay pointed out how Christian womgain settlement; a provision for region and Southern California; anhood in such a time must meet retaining the old settlement un- Atlanta, Georgia, and Toronto, the heart-hunger of the world til a new settlement was ac- Canada. for the Gospel. He said we quired; relief and service dur- have got to develop a new kind ing any period of inquiry as to The luncheon was planned of heroism. settlement; authority vested in the state public welfare depart- under the chairmanship Of Mrs. Dr. Robert M. Searle, as secment to determine settlement; retary of the New York Federafunds available to the state for Augustus Trowbridge, who was tion of Churches, offered the inreimbursement of local commu- vocation, and the benediction nities for service rendered to also the charming presiding was pronounced by Rev. William transients; and approval of the officer. By her long-range plan- Adams Brown, D.D., Chairman 'Uniform Transfer of Depend- ning Mrs. Trowbridge was able of the Committee on Universal ents Act.' These resolutions, to bring to the luncheon group a Life and Work. bearing as they do the stamp of cable message from India from approval of the official delegates Dr. E. Stanley Jones as follows: In closing we quote from a from 45 states,constitute the "Personal gratitude your signifi- letter of Dr. Brown's received crystallization in government of cant move toward unity. Light after the luncheon, for it exa sense of social responsibility in that direction. Follow it." presses what so many feel: for the non-resident." Another cable message of bless- ing on the undertaking from I do not know when I have attended May Luncheon for Church Maude Royden and a third mes- a meeting which seemed to me more sage from across seas, from vibrant· with thrilling possibilities. Women Lady Astor, "All we who profess It was not merely the fact that the the Christian faith will unite large company assembled was an ir:.- On May 10 at the Hotel Bilt- when we understand and apply dication of the resources of far-reachmore, New York City, a really Jesus' message, 'Now are we the ing and intelligent service which the significant luncheon took place. Sons of God,' and follow His Church possesses in her consecrated There had been several May Day command." President Mary E. womanhood, but still more the fact luncheons sponsored by one Woolley was prevented by the that your meeting together, instead interdenominational organiza- one hundredth anniversary of of separately, was an indication of tion for the missionary women Mount Holyoke College from be- your recognition that whatever difof metropolitan New York but ing present. In her place at the ferentiation of function may prove this luncheon sponsored by the guest table was Mrs. William wise from the point of view of effecfour interdenominational or- Adams Brown. tive administration, the cause is at ganizations . t h r 0 ugh which heart one. Dr. Mary Ely Lyman, just rechurch women have been work- turned from receiving an hon- May this cause which is one ing, symbolized a new epoch. orary degree from Mount Hol- be served whole-heartedly by The thought back of this effort yoke, brought a strong message every woman who has taken the on what church women can con- name of Jesus Christ upon her, tribute toward bringing in the and may she give herself entirely to Him in "Such a Day as This."
EMMA JESSIE OGG.
~ Our World–wide
I A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO EUROPE the influence of a book by the restore the crucifixes to their original headmaster of a Jewish girls' places on the walls. The Bible in Spain secondary school whose study of anti-Semitism has led him to In his May Day speech Hitler In the latest report of the realize that the only solution to is reported to have declared: "I British and Foreign Bible So- the Jewish problem is to be will not tolerate that the German ciety, reference is made to the found in Christ. Two hundred people's authority shall be mentriumphs of the Bible in Spain Jewish families in Bucharest are aced from any quarter. . . . during the present conflict and prepared to become Christians, That holds good above all for distress. Although the civil war but the State church refuses to the churches." was raging in Spain for half the encourage the movement. . year with which the report As to the children of Chrisdeals, a circulation of 211,000 -Watchman-Examiner. tian people he said: volumes was achieved. The Bible Society's depot in Madrid Religious Education in Sweden We will take their children and was kept open during the siege will educate them to become new Gerand the Society's agent remained The Lutheran Church is the mans. We will not permit them to at his post. State Church in Sweden and in lapse into the old ways of thinking. all high schools and colleges re- We will take them when they are ten Evangelism in Belgium ligion is a required subject. It years old and bring them up in the includes Bible study, church spirit of the community until they are Within the past few months, history, comparative religion eighteen. They shall not escape us! the Belgian Gospel Mission, and missions. School work befounded by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph gins every day with a religious -New York Times. Norton, has opened seven new service lasting about fifteen mincenters, making a total of sixty- utes, with a view to training What of the Waldenses? six in which the Gospel is reg- pupils to do serious thinking on ularly preached. M. Vansteen- religious and ethical questions. This oldest evangelical church berghe, one of the directors of in the world, a church that has the Mission, was converted from Teachers of religion are re- withstood more than 30 organatheism in England during the quired to be members of the ized persecutions, today has 250 war, through the reading of the State Church. Great demands churches and missions in Italy. Bible while in a hospital. are made as to the teacher's per- Because of retrenchment in sonality; he must preach by his other churches, the Waldenses M. Vansteenberghe tells how character the same ideals that are carrying more responsibility one center was opened as typical he teaches. for Christian witnessing in Italy of all the others: A brushmaker, than ever before. Last year living near Ypres, heard the -The Christian Advocate. they provided over 88 per cent Gospel at a meeting last June, of the money spent upon their was converted, and straightway The Cross in German Schools Missions throughout Italy, their asked if a hall could be opened H 0 s pit a 1s, their Children's in his village. With his small An order to replace the cruci- Homes, their Homes for the life savings, he enlarged a brick fix in classrooms in Germany Aged, their College at Torre Pelshed attached to his house, so with pictures of Adolph Hitler lice and their Theological Semthat it is capable of seating forty has resulted in great excitement inary at Rome. Their congregapeople. On the opening day, and open resistance. The Liv- tions are larger than ever, and sixty crowded in, and others ing Church says: Italians in increasing numbers stood outside the door listening. are joining their churches. The unyielding attitude of Roman -Life of Faith. Catholic parents forced the authori- It is clear that an evangelical ties at Konnersreuth to restore the agency, such as the Waldensian Jews Turn to Christ crucifixes to the classrooms in that Church, is more needed in Italy city. Upward of 100 irate townsmen than ever before. The Barbican Mission to the marched to the home of the school Jews, London, reports that sev- superintendent and chanted in unison AFRICA eral hundred Jewish families in their demand for restitution of the Rumania are prepared to accept Christian symbols. The intervention 11 Duce and the Moslems Christ. This is largely due to of the police, with drawn revolvers, failed to intimidate the townspeople. A New York Times corre- The upshot of this demonstration was spondent in Egypt declares the an order from the local authorities to majority of Moslems are unal- [387 ]
terably opposed to Mussolini's Protestants Not Wanted Tea With Tracts claim to be "defender of the in Tripoli Moslem faith." Sheikh Musta- Dr. Burkitt of Nairobi in pha el Maraghi, rector of the The medical mission for Mos- Kenya Colony, Africa, is a dithousand-year-old Azhar Uni- lems and Jews in Tripoli has rector of a tea plantation and at versity in Cairo, and recognized been closed by Italian authori- the same time carries on Chrisas the ecclesiastical head of Mos- ties, and the missionary doctor tian work. He is promoting an lems throughout the world, says: was ordered to leave the terri- East Africa Colportage Society "Only a Moslem who believes in tory. For half a century the for the distribution of Scripture the religion of Mohammed and North Africa Mission has main- portions and evangelical booklets lives up to the laws of the Koran tained this healing and preach- among the blacks from many can be the defender or protector ing center, the only evangelical tribes who pass through on their of Islam. No other person, no witness in the whole of Libya. way to mines and plantations. matter of what race or religion Complying with Government re- They eagerly read anything they or nationality, can be our de- quirements, the purpose of the can get in their own dialects. fender." mission was described as: "Ex- Dr. Burkitt has an attractive plaining the way of salvation depot in Nairobi which he hopes Their religion forbids Moham- through the Lord Jesus Christ to duplicate in other centers of medans from being ruled by non- in obedience to His commands, East Africa. -So S. Times. Moslems, and those of that faith and also endeavoring to show the in the Near East are not at all love of God in our medical con- WESTERN ASIA interested in Mussolini's pro- sultations." nouncement. After Fifty Years A' government ordinance of Cairo's College for Girls Two reports from North Syria August 26 authorized the mis- prove that progress may appear The American College for sion to continue under three con- over a stretch of half a century, Girls at Cairo, administered by ditions: (a) No religious prop- which cannot be seen from year the American Mission in Egypt aganda. (b) Nurses to have to year. The first is that of for the United Presbyterian Italian diplomas. (c) Premises Rev. D. M. Wilson in regard to Church of North America, is the to conform to Hygiene Inspec- Tripoli, written in 1853; the lineal descendant of the first tor's regulations. The doctor other, written fifty years later girls' school in all Egypt. The was unaware of this Ordinance by Rev. F. W. March, who died cornerstone of the first building until it was read to him at the last year after 60 years in Syria. was laid February 25, 1908. The police station; after which, original college building fund charged with disregarding its "We mention schools not bewas raised through the personal terms, he was ordered to leave cause we have any, but to state efforts of its founder and first and the Mission was closed. the reason why we have none. president, Miss Ella O. Kyle, Near the close of the last year supported by a committee in -Moslem World. our school in Tripoli was broken Pittsburgh and individuals in up by the Greeks…. At none both Egypt and America. The Good News from Nigeria of the villages is there any proslargest single contribution was pect that a school would open the $30,000, a gift from Mr. John D. H. G. Farrant, field secretary way for a preaching station; and Rockefeller, Sr. It is the most of the Sudan United Mission, to sustain a school for the sake advanced Protestant missionary gives an encouraging account of of the influence of the school school for girls in North Africa, present conditions in northern alone, under any native teacher occupying a strategic position in Nigeria. Although a few years we can. employ, we regard as a a city that is the largest in the ago a missionary would be able waste of missionary funds. . . . continent, and that is, at the to give the names and histories Since last spring the Christians same time, the intellectual and of all the converts, today that have lived in constant fear of spiritual center of the Arabic- would be impossible. By far the their Moslem neighbors, indeed speaking Moslem world. greater number of converts of a large part of the Christian recent years have been won, not population fled in midsummer The student body numbers by Europeans, but by Africans. to the mountains where many of mor~ than 400; courses include It is the aim of the Mission to them still remain. . . . If asked the whole gamut of a girl's edu- "blacken" the work as much as whether there be signs of a cation, from the Beginners' De- possible. Thirty men with their brighter dawn our answer would partment through the equivalent wives and families are being be very unsatisfactory." of an American Junior College trained at Gindiri for evangeliscourse. Among graduates are tic work. Two centers in the "The Tripoli field has eight found doctors, nurses, lawyers, heart of one Moslem district, organized churches, most of musicians, teachers, office work- which had not been available for which include groups of villages, ers, an artist of note, Egypt's missionary effort during thirty so that the eight churches take sole aviatrix, and a host of effi- years, are now occupied. The in all the church members of the cient wives and mothers. opening of a new leper colony at whole field. Each church has a Maiduguri means the possibility native preacher. There are 23 of reaching 1,000,000 people. outstations including 25 schools -The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
which are visited regularly. In suggested that since the mission- threw herself on the body of her the eight churches are 767 mem- aries had discovered the source dead husband prepared for crebers. . . . During the year, 31 of disease, doubtless they would mation. God knows what else persons have been received on provide a new and safe fountain. she did in the name of Christ the profession of faith. The eight "Unfortunately," said the mis- Great Physician." churches working together as a sionary, "our mission has no Presbytery have established a money for such projects, nor Physical Training for Women Home Mission work; a commit- have we as individuals." tee composed wholly of Syrians The Physical Education Colhaving been appointed to receive Finally it was agreed that if lege for Women in Bengal is an and disburse funds and direct the missionary could provide the experiment financed in Canada. the work. They have raised cement for a sealed fountain, the It has made a beginning with 9,000 ps." headman would provide the 16 pupils, Europeans and In- labor. Now the 2,000 people of dians, from various parts of In- -Syria News Quarterly. the Moslem village get clean dia, women of good educational water and the Christians are standing who think it worth American Mission Press welcomed as friends. while spending time and money to obtain this extra qualification. The year 1934 marked the -Monday Morning. Even for girls, education is no centenary of the American Mis- longer confined to books; they sion Press in Beirut, Syria. The INDIA AND SIAM are the healthier and happier Press was founded in 1822 on for the change. Calcutta has the Island of Malta for service Seeing Below the Surface had a physical education college in the Near East, but it was not for men for a few years, and its until 1834 that it was actually "World travelers who visit influence is already felt throughmoved to Beirut, where it has port cities, stay in good hotels out the province. The girls' colnow completed over one hundred and follow guides may have an lege will soon be as well known. years of missionary publication interesting time, but they learn and printing for Arabic-speak- little of human suffering and its A recent demonstration of the ing lands. Its literature now amelioration," writes a corre- College was largely attended by goes to some twenty-five differ- spondent of the Christian Evan- prominent people of Calcutta. ent countries. gelist. -Indian Witness. Many missionaries and in- "My saddest experience has digenous workers have aided in been to note the look of fear, as New Methods in Rural Work various ways. A zealous young well as suffering, in the faces of Swiss has recently printed at the teeming thousands-a look born Evangelistic work in rural Press a useful leaflet, "How to of ignorance, disease and under- areas seems to be taking a new Read the Bible." Dr. N. Nucho, nourished bodies; a ghastly look turn, and promises well for Director of Hamlin Memorial of futility because there is no building up the Church. In gen- Sanatorium, has distributed in physician, no hospital, nurse or eral, the emphasis is: the past several years thousands medicine; and worse yet, no of copies of a tract on "Tuber- courage that comes from the (1) Seek to concentrate evangelistic culosis and Its Prevention," Spirit of Christ. In most orien- effort in villages and seek to build largely at his own expense. tal countries, as well as in Cen- up the old Christian communities; tral Africa, there is probably no (2) oDtain a mediating leadership; -Syria News Quarterly. more than one trained physician (3) make a decisive and deep im- to every 200,000 people. pression on chaudhri leaders by liv- Disturbing the Village ing with them; (4) aim to make them "A few years ago I spent sev- the firebrands that will set the villages When a missionary came to a eral hours with a medical mis- aflame, and (5) get them to take re- Moslem village in Syria, it did sionary in India. This delicate sponsibility for follow-up work. not take his trained-nurse wife woman gave herself and her long to tell him that much of the service to people in their filth, It is a new experience for old disease rampant in the town was ignorance and abysmal super- converts from the sweeper class due to the public fountain, where stition and suffering, packed in to live in the same tents with the women dipped hands and poverty like rabbits in a warren. city folks, and "break caste" by jars to draw the family water She dressed wounds many times eating with them. It is also a supply. after having taken out the mag- new experience for them to work gots. She cleansed the fly larvae to schedule and obey the call of "It is the will of Allah that from the festering eyes of little the bell, and in the evenings to there should be sickness," said children and bound them with get the exer_cise afforded by the village headman when it was healing lotions. She gave con- games of football. urged that he take steps to rem- solation and sedative to a dying edy this condition. "You stran- man who had hold of the tail of -Indian Witness. gers are disturbing our village. the sacred cow which had been Please go away and do not come brought into the house to help Andhra Christian College back." in his dying moments. She com- forted a wailing widow as she The United Lutheran Church On second thought he shrewdly of America and the Church Mis- sionary Society of Great Britain have worked out a plan of coop-
eration in Andhra Christian Fruit of Leper Work and shot them. Their bodies College. The first C. M. S. pro- were dumped in a lime-filled fessor will join the staff on Dr. and Mrs. J. W. McKean, trench, and the village was looted July 1. Lutherans will provide now living in retirement at and burned. A smaller group a dormitory for C. M. S. stu- Claremont, California, were mis- was slain near Canton, and Candents. sionaries in Siam for thirty ton authorities are also said to years, establishing the first or- be engaged in making a round- It is hoped that the American ganized work for lepers in that up of all lepers. Lutheran Church Mission, the kingdom. About 2,000 lepers American Baptist Mission, the have since entered the asylum at Military authorities had long English Methodist Mission, the Chiengmai. There are 450 there threatened to end the little Canadian Baptist Mission and now and nearly all have become Happy Valley colony in their efthe American Methodist Epis- active, praying Christians, mak- forts to wipe out the disease. copal Mission will also coop- ing regular contributions to the work out of their very limited Mission to Chinese Buddhists erate. allowance for food money. The Christian Mission to Bud- Women Elders in Siam A recent letter from Chieng- dhists is now fifteen years old. mai Leper Asylum includes this Its first headquarters were in The Leper Asylum, Chieng- statement: "Mr. Pia begs to Nanking, but in 1926 the center mai, Siam, has the distinction of hand to Dr. McKean two ticals was moved to Shatin, near Honghaving the first women elders in and to Mrs. McKean two ticals kong. The influence of this work the Presbyterian Church. Nang to be used in God's work." (A extends to every large monastery La and .Nang Kan Gao were tical is worth about 50 cents.) in China and even reaches elected to eldership in April, Japan, Malaya and Formosa. 1925. At that time Siam formed -Monday Morning. Since the beginning of the mistwo presbyteries of the synod of sion over eighty Buddhist and New York. These two saintly CHINA Taoist monks of "lay-devotees" old women went about the duties have been baptized as Christians of their high office with a hu- "The Bread of Life" and some have become pastors mility and joy touching to be- of churches. In addition, there hold. A cracker manufacturer of are several thousand "Tao Yu" Hongkong encloses in each tin -interested men and women. There had been good reason of his wares, shipped throughout for their election. Many leper China and the Netherlands In- Until recently this work has women were so crippled they dies, a small paper on which is been supported by funds from could not come to the chapel, and printed in four languages- Norway, Sweden and Denmark, missed the comfort of the weekly Chinese, Javanese, Malay and but it is expected that the Anservice. These women therefore English-the text, "Jesus said, glican Church will help next asked that two of their number I am the Bread of Life." year. The plan is to form a be made elders to comfort, teach brotherhood of converted Budand administer sacrament to When a representative of the dhist monks, already accustomed helpless shut-ins. The two most British and Foreign Bible So- to celibacy, who will live together loved were Nang La and Nang ciety called on this man recently and be available for special evan- Kan Gao. Nang La had been a he showed him a drawer full of gelistic· work among educated wretched beggar. Her near letters which he had received, Buddhist lay folk in the cities, relatives did not care for her asking for more information and among the hills of Yunnan. and at the progressive signs of about this Jesus, "the Bread of leprosy drove her away from Life." In reply, he always sends .-Chinese Recorder. her home. Her only recourse a copy of St. John's Gospel, with was holding out her twisted a personal testimony to its in- Results from Small Efforts hands for alms. Then she found fluence on his own life. Christ and began to "serve the During her stay in China, Lord with gladness." -Alliance Weekly. Muriel Lester says the most re- markable piece of work she saw Nang Kan Gao lived in He~then 'Cruelty was the transformation of a vil- Chiengmai where her husband lage in twelve months. Two was an elder in the church and Presbyterian missionaries re- missionaries lived so close to the she herself was a great Bible port the execution of 80 mem- Chinese in fellowship and so student and ardent Christian. bers of a leper colony in Yeung- close to our Lord in spirit, that Her husband died and Nang kong, Kwangtung Pro v inc e, by using only their spare time· Kan Gao carried on alone. China, by civil and military au-_ and spending almost no money When it was discovered that she thorities. These lepers lived in they were able to evoke from the had leprosy, still in its early a little cluster of huts known as peasants of a neighboring village stage, she immediately started Happy Valley, and existed by sufficient confidence, communal on foot to Chiengmai. Because their own efforts, aided by the ambition and initiative to set up the disease was caught in its missionaries. A lone survivor three schools, a library and early stage, it was arrested. told of hiding in a sewer of the reading room, a daily clinic, a village while soldiers bound his -Siam Outlook. associates, carried them to a hill
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
public exhibition of agricultural Better Conditions for Women "I told her that the baby produce in which five or six other villages cooperated, and a A Woman's Life Improvement seemed well and strong, a finegroup of voluntary actors, stilt Association is being sponsored looking little fellow-I thought walkers, conjurors, to enliven by the Kiangsi provincial gov- she was doing a good job. She the long days of the New Year ernment. For six months the holiday. Association will investigate the said no, he was spoiled. She living conditions of women in couldn't feed him properly, she A leading medical man had Kiangsi. Then plans will be couldn't train him properlybeen helping the peasants near the grandparents wouldn't allow his hospital set up a credit and worked out for the promotion of it. Every time she tried to cormarketing cooperative. Amazed the welfare of women. From rect him, they interfered and at the resourcefulness and re- July, 1937, to June, 1942, is to scolded her! I tried to sympaliability that was forthcoming be the period of enforcement. thize with her, but I told her it In the first year a home econom- was her job, and a tough one. he summed up his whole ex- If only there were any hopes of perience of China: ics' school will be established. training the grandparents !" The second year will see the ex- "There is no country like it. tension of the program to ten JAPAN-CHOSEN Here one gets such big results more districts: the third year to 20 more districts; the fourth from such small efforts." year to 25 more districts; and Intensive Rural Campaign -The Christian Advocate. the fifth year to 27 more dis- In experimenting with ways Mui Tsai Slavery tricts, thus finally covering the and means to carryon its cam- whole province. Special stress paign for "100,000 new men and boys for Christ in ten years," For some years the British will be laid on needs of farming the Brotherhood of St. Andrew Government has been trying to and working women. Physical is giving a full half of its energy education, civic training, indus- this year to stirring up activity end the practice called Mui Tsai, trial and farming production, whereby young girls are sold useful social activities and set- in rural evangelism. An Insti- ting up of good habits will all tute for training rural workers into service – to work for the receive attention. will be held in Tokyo, August purchasing household without pay and without the right to -China Critic. 16-21, when a well-planned, leave. Yet in spite of legal en- practical demonstration course actments, ways and means have How Would You Answer This? will be conducted by rural workbeen found to continue the prac- ers in such problems as evantice, which cannot be considered What is the proper way to de- gelism, woman's work, young anything but a mild form of cline taking a baby to bring up? slavery. The recent findings of This is what a missionary in men's work, church school meththe Royal Commission appointed Hainan would like to know, and ods, and health and occupational to investigate this matter make here is why. schemes. Only three rural work- ers, lay or clerical, from each of clear such a conclusion to any A young Christian mother the ten dioceses, will be invited has been much interested in the to participate in the first instiimpartial investigator. feeding and care of her baby, and came to the Mission at in- tute. The Onabake Mission was The Manchester Guardian gets tervals with questions. She had chosen as being best suited for to the heart of the problem when asked for a book on "Care and demonstration purposes, being it says: Training of Children." Let the missionary finish the story: located five miles from the rail- If it were possible to discover what way station, in the midst of a girls are Mui Tsai, the present legis- "She was the fi'rst mother I countryside completely population in Hongkong and Malaya, properly enforced, would be sufficient to lated by small farmers. This abolish the practice. The difficulty, had known to intimate that she little mission was made possible as the Commission and all other in- was not fully qualified to bring through a gift of $1,000 secured vestigators have realized, is that the up any number of children. But by Bishop Dallas, following his possessors of a Mui Tsai naturally claim that the child is something else I had not seen her for several visit to Japan last year.
-an illegitimate daughter, a child left weeks, when she came up one -The Living Church. in their care by relations, or, gen- Sunday after church. When I erally, "an adopted daughter-in-law" went downstairs to greet her, More Japanese Deities -that is, a girl child adopted until she said, 'I've brought my baby she is old enough to marry a son of to hand over to you, so you can To Japan's national pantheon, the house. The only practical meas- bring him up properly,' and she which is said to include "eighty ure that has ever been suggested to myriads of gods," 1,148 new stop this is to register. all adopted pushed him into my hands, con- deities were added in solemn daughters-in-law and, if necessary, all tinuing, 'I don't know how. I ceremonies last April. They children transferred from their par- want you to teach him and feed were soldiers of the empire who ents' care. The Governments in Hong- him and train him-it wouldn't had died during the past year. kong and Malaya have always resisted be hard for you. It's hard for this on the ground that such measures me. I'm not equal to it. Oh, The ceremonies in form and would logically lead to the registration and supervision of every girl in meaning have no Occidental the colony. I'll pay you,' she added.
counterparts. The rites were Even before the tent meetings ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO carried out in darkness. Against the local congregation had felt the black background of the the old church building inade- Demon Possession in shrine the white-robed Shinto quate, and had taken up a sub- South Seas priests and military officers who scription, at great sacrifice, of assisted made striking, ghost- one hundred yen. A wealthy A missionary in the South Sea like figures. Three thousand Christian woman in Taiku Evangelical Mission, working in members of the families of the who had grown up in that village the Solomon Islands, thinks that dead and the highest officers of gave another hundred. Follow- those who scoff at the reality of the army and navy were present. ing the Sunday service all joined Satan and demons, would revise in a parade. "A couple of hun- their theology if they could be First, the chief priest of the dred strong we marched a half in a heathen village for a few shrine invited the spirits of the mile to the river-bed," writes days. He tells of a notorious departed to enter the sanctuary. Mr. Adams, "We each, men, old witch doctor whose mind was Rites were held to felicitate the women and children picked up a incapable of grasping spiritual new deities on their elevation. stone according to our strength. ideas. When he was convicted In solemn procession, with a mil- We marched back to town, while of sin and he accepted Christ his itary band playing a funeral an- non-Christians lined the streets mind cleared, and his joy was them, a small portable shrine, to see the strange parade. We unbounded. But Satan did not conceived to contain the spirits deposited the stones in the easily release him. Next day a of the new deities, was carried church courtyard, and then held man hurried to the mission, crythrough the courtyard to the a brief service dedicating these ing: main temple. All lanterns and first offerings to the future place other lights were extinguished of worship to the one and only "Come quick! Old Mae-hui during its passage. When the true God and His Son. It was shake-shake too much; old fell a ark was placed in its proper a witness of solidarity among devil come back." niche the shrine lights were relit Christians." and offerings of fruit, vegetables The old man was found graspand wine were placed before the Stages of Growth in Korea ing the rafters of his low dwellnew spirits. ing, shaking the building with The figures tracing Presby- great power, and crying out in Those deified in the recent terian Church growth in Korea an unearthly way. Prayer was ceremony brought the total so since 1900 are significant. The offered and soon Mae-hui called worshipped to 130,967. first decade of this century saw out, "Lord Jesus, save me from a growth of 1,1000/0 in adher- this devil's power." Immediately -New York Times. ents, but in the second decade he fell exhausted to the floor and slept heavily for a few hours. A Witness of Solidarity the increase was only 3 %. Dur- He soon recovered and has gone on since a happy Christian. Edward Adams writes from ing the third, the figure advanced Taiku, Korea, of results that fol- to 26%, while in the six years of NORTH AMERIOA lowed a week of tent meetings this fourth decade there has ten miles from Taiku, where a been the almost unbelievable in- Oommission on Unity church had been established ten crease of 75.5%. years ago, but they were ten Largely as an outgrowth of years of struggle for bare exist- Baptized membership has not the National Preaching Mission, ence. A little farther into the kept pace with this. While it a new "Commission for the mountains are two more groups was 1,000% between 1900 and Study of Christian Unity" will -about three miles apart-very 1910, the next decade shows carryon. "a continuous educamuch in the same condition. Too 76%, the third 33%, and the six tional program," both as to the far from the main currents of "conditions that create the de- Christian activities, and with the years of the fourth 24 %. There mand for a greater unity" and strong and overwhelming back- as to the various proposals by ward pull of a hostile society, it were no native pastors in 1900; which unity may be achieved. has been a discouraging strug- there were 40 in 1920; then an The educational program would gle. A native pastor, four lay increase of 3500/0 in 1920, of strive to produce attitudes favorworkers, two women and two 127% in 1930 and 29% in 1936. able to an advance in unity, and men made up the Gospel team. readiness to give open-minded For three days the tent was filled These figures reflect the great consideration to whatever plans (500-800 people) morning, noon revival that followed loss of in- seem most promising. and night. Workers took turns dependence; the period of conin addressing the multitudes solidation that followed, a period Some of the conditions behind· with time out only at meals. By that has now passed and the the demand for greater unity Sunday night 140 decided to ac- Church seems to be entering an– are: cept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. other forward movement. Mis- Two evangelists ~tayed to do fol- sionary work in Korea began in Overchurching in local areas. low-up work, and the next week 1884; Christians now number Inefficient use of resources. 20 more decisions were made. 520,000. Since the total popula- The meaninglessness of our divisions tion is 20,500,000, each Chris- tian must win 40 others! when transplanted to the mission fields, where new churches are -Christianity Today. being created.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The lack of moral authority in a British Army by a man named been studied very little, if at all. Church which appeals for unity Jackson at the time of the Amer- The results of their research is in the world at large, when it ican Revolution. Today one can then compiled, and used by gov- find albinos, mulattoes, as well ernment agencies, universities, has such insufficient unity within itself.
Progress in Kentucky's as combinations of these, and Bible translation societies and negroid and Indian features. scientific research societies. Mountains Little was done concerning This offers opportunity for their physical, mental or spir- Rapid changes are being made itual needs until the Episcopal service and discovery seldom in the Kentucky mountain com- Church began work there sev- surpassed in the realm of scienmunities. Many county seats eral years ago. Two years ago, are connected by good roads; tific research, as there are hunrivers once crossed only by fords Rev. Albert Chillson took hold dreds of extremely interesting have been bridged. Many good of the work. He found malnu- languages about which very schools have been erected. trition was widespread, high mortality among children and little is known, and long-sought 'rhe College at Berea operates destitution in general. Mr. Chill- secrets about the relationships a "book car." One who travels son gained their confidence by of people and streams of migrain it writes: tion. The Institute's headquar- repeated visits, and when he ters are at 506 Commonwealth During my almost six years of trav- proposed a religious service in Building, Philadelphia, Pa.
eling I have seen six new school build- the near-by schoolhouse on Sun- The Mormon Program ings replace old ones. In three in- day afternoons they responded of Today stances a two-room building has taken amazingly, both in numbers and the place of a one-room school. With It is well to know just what the new buildings, conditions have im- in their participation in the serv- the Mormons are up to in these proved. The better light and freshly ices. So far, only a beginning United States: painted walls seem conducive to clean- has been made. liness. In one school a small kitchen 1. Nearly 2,000 emissaries at work, has oeen equipped for serving hot -The Living Church. without salary. lunches.
Transportation of pupils to Saving the "Shreds" 2. Using deceptive radio talks mis- leading many.
county high schools is becoming Said Horace Mann in a lecture 3. Using millions of copies of perimore common. For the Cumber- on education: "The ash e s, odicals and tracts, all craftily written land National Forest the govern- to lead people to believe things utterly shreds and wrecks of everything contrary to the Bible. ment has already purchased are of some value." A California 300,000 acres, and plans even- reformatory is acting on this 4. Having a great building era; theory, and results are in sharp while it has already seven so-called tually to buy a total of 1,338,000 "temples" costing an average of acres, in seventeen counties of contrast to most misnamed "re- Kentucky. formatories" from which youtps $770,000, it is building soon a $525,000 plant in Los Angeles, another in Idaho, a new meeting-house in Chi- There are still very many commonly come out worse than cago costing half a million, besides its regions in which "the roads run when they entered. two $100,000 ones there; has another planned in Philadelphia; owns Manup the creeks, and the creeks run At the Preston School of In- hattan Congregational Church, New down the roads," many regions dustry, as this institution is York.
in which one must abandon all called, the boys are "cadets" in- 5. Has doubled its numbers twice thought of a car, and travel on stead of "inmates." Its cluster and one-third since the census of 1890 mule back or in jolt wagon to of buildings, with campus and and teaches that it is to rule the one's destination at some settle- world. ment or schoolhouse. athletic field, resembles a pleas- ant little college. Bars and 6. Has nearly all its Senior high- WILLIAM J. HUTCHINS. school students in its "Theological armed guards are only for a few Seminaries" one hour daily. "Jackson Whites" in sullen and vicious ones. The 7. Has millions of yearly income, rest have classes and military from tithing and large secular busi- ness interests, with which to do all New Jersey drills, learn trades, and are made this. 8. Has enough control over its peo- An isolated, backward group to feel that society is not against known as "Jackson Whites," liv- them, but on their side to aid ple to keep its proselyting force filled; ing in New Jersey, a few miles them to b e com e physically~ every young man expected to serve from the most heavily populated morally and mentally fit for use- two years or more. section of the United States, pre- ful citizenship. sent an ethnological puzzle. To -Light on Mormonism. -Evangelical-Messenger. Economic Freedom for Indians the original Indian settlers were Linguistic Research Hundreds of Navajo Indians added at least two other strains; met early in April in the Navajo Hessian deserters who in fleeing Each summer there is held an capital, Window Rock, Arizona, from their British masters had Institute of Linguistics, for the to draw up a new constitution.
settled in the hills and a part of purpose of training practical They desire a Legislature instead the 3,500 women, some white, linguistic investigators, and to of the old Tribal Council, which some black, imported under con- locate them among indigenous is claimed not to be representa- tract as camp-followers for the tribes whose languages have tive of all the people. Some of
the delegates were draped in torial officials, as well as mis- Fellowship will take part. The blankets, and some, college edu- sionaries, are deeply concerned campaign, lasting five or six cated, appeared as business men. over the situation. years, is designed to reach the All discussions were in the The Alaskan Native Brother- entire population of 16,000,000, Navajo tongue. hood, a Christian organization, which includes 3,000,000 of non- Seventy years ago this tribe has appealed to the missionaries Spanish – speaking Indians. A numbered 8,000; today there are for help in applying such restric- large circulation of the Scrip- 50,000 members. Their reser- tions to the traffic in intoxicants tures will be a feature of this vation includes 16,000 acres in as would afford the native people great effort.
Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. some measure of protection, and -Christianity Today.
Their land is rich in coal and save them from the moral de- oil. They own a million sheep, struction with which they are In the West Indies threatened. Victories over tempand their blanket business is ap- tation are being won by Alaskan The Presbyteries of Puerto proaching a million dollar indus- Rico and Cuba have been contry. Their constitution will be church members, who are sub- ducting evangelistic campaigns j ected almost daily to the sever- far more extensive than ever besubmitted to the "white fathers" est tests of the genuineness of fore. It is estimated that about at Washington. their Christian profession. 2,000 new members will be re- -Alliance Weekly.
Canadians Plan Federation Point Barrow Hospital Burns ceived as a result. These mem- bers have been trained for the Plans for a Canadian Federa- The hospital at Bar row, most part in the Sabbath schools. tion of Churches, fashioned Alaska, erected in 1921 by the The campaign has been carried somewhat after the Federal Presbyterian Board of National Council of Churches in the Missions, has been totally de- on by the pastors after weeks of United States, have been sent to stroyed by fire. The patients preparation. the heads of the Anglican, Bap- were removed safely, but meditist, Presbyterian and United cines and surgical equipment The Presbytery of Cuba or- Churches, the Salvation Army were destroyed. The loss is cov- dained two new ministers this and the Disciples. This proposed ered by insurance. Until July 1, year. They were members of federation would provide for 1936, when the operation of this the Sabbath school years ago, "the setting up of some coordi- hospital was transferred to the received their training from the nating council, so that in mat- Office of Indian Affairs of the ters of common interest we may U. S. Government, it provided mission schools of Cuba, and have the means of expressing the only health service available their seminary training in the ourselves, through one voice, to some 2,000 Eskimos. which could speak for the Prot- Evangelical Seminary in Puerto estant Church of our country." Emergency quarters h a v e Rico. One of them has estab- been fitted up, and medical sup- It is hoped thus to formulate plies and surgical equipment lished a church in what was fora united front of all Protestant have been shipped by dog team merly a garage, the only buildbodies on social questions, such from the Kotzebue Hospital. ing available when he was comas war and temperance, and for Mrs. Fred S. Klerekoper, wife pelled to move from a rented national evangelical work. of the missionary at Barrow, building, because of the annoy- who is a fully trained, registered -Advance. ance of a public cafe. The gar- age has been transformed into a nurse, will respond to emergency very attractive church audi- calls. Encouraging reports. have torium. The young minister and been received from the Klere- kopers regarding the progress his wife represent the new gen- Liquor Evils in Alaska of church work in the Barrow eration of Cubans, well prepared area. With characteristic devo- intellectllalIy, thoroughly identi- "The repeal of the Prohibition tion, the congregation continues fied with their own people, and Amendment was a major calam- definitely committed to the ideals ity for Alaska," says Dr. John of the Kingdom of Christ. M. Somerndike, Secretary for Alaska under the Presbyterian -The Presbyterian.
Board. "Ketchikan, for example, to carry forward the local pro- New Deal in Dominican with a population of less than gram of community worship and Republic 4,000, has 65 saloons where service. -Monday Morning. liquor is dispensed. Similar conditions prevail in every Alaskan LATIN AMERICA Long before the present gov- ernment used the term "New town and city. It is claimed that Evangelism in Mexico nearly two-thirds of the ship- Deal" it was a reality in the ments of Alaska steamship lines A cooperative effort in wideconsist of liquor. Its devastat- spread evangelism is being ar- Dominican mission field, and sixing effects are seen especially ranged, in which, among others, teen years of united action on among the native population. the National Bible Society of the part of United Brethren, Methodist and Presbyterian forces have proved its value. Immorality and every form of Scotland, the Scripture Gift Mis- Operating under four departvice follow in the wake of this sion, the Evangelical Churches ments – evangelistic, medical, evil. Government and terri- and the Latin America Prayer educational and social, the Board
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
for Christian Work in Santo Do- Need for Nationals in its annual feast and bull-fight. mingo has moved forward in a The constant noise and din of unified program w h i c h has The general situation in Cen- the drunken band all night long reached every stratum of Do- tral America directs attention to made sleep well-nigh impossible. minican life, and has become a the need for national Christian With the governor's permission vital factor for improvement. workers. Efforts are being made I was able to preach in the pub- There has been a substantial in- to send Christian workers into lic plaza as well as sell books, crease in the number of evan- several new Departments in before the bull-fight began. We gelicals. English Wesleyans are Guatemala, EI Salvador, Nic- had a good congregation and the now incorporated in this union aragua and Honduras. Foreign people were quite keen to listen church, and this year there was missionaries will take part in the to our message. held in Samafia the centennial advance, but the importance of celebration of the founding of the Bible Institutes at Pana- "The governor is a slave to the Wesleyan Methodist Church jachel for Indians, and that at drink. His wife asked if we had in that district among the Eng- Guatemala City and at San Jose a cure for this curse, and turnlish-speaking colored people, who in Costa Rica for Spanish-speak- ing to the two boys with me, I had migrated there from Penn- ing students, is increasingly ap- said, 'Senora, there are two of sylvania, New Jersey and the parent. Moreover, travel be- them. Ask them,' and Matias Carolinas in 1824. In 1837, tween the republics becomes Arela warmed my heart with his England sent a pastor who more difficult by the application splendid testimony. He was a founded a church with 60 char- of measures chiefly designed to known drunkard, but is now a ter members. The oldest mem- exclude foreign competitive im- free man through Christ. ber is 96 years old. Hanging on migration. News from Costa Rica the wall of her home is this indicates that the Government is "A seven hours' horseback motto, painted by her husband: taking drastic measures to limit journey took us to Copapata, "Childron United you stand de- the number of incoming mission- and here we saw the nucleus for vied you faull. Childron when aries; and the Minister of For- a growing work. We visited this you see remember me-E. eign Relations of Colombia has other small towns and made con- Anderson." Thus the idea of also announced that no more tacts with some who are really unity is foretold. -Advance. missionaries are wanted in Co- keen to know the way of salva- lombia. His veto is particularly tion. I always think of the town Woman's World severe against any further in- of Santa Rosa as the place where crease of single women workers. Satan's seat is. The ]ileople are The Presbyterian Board re- exceedingly bitter against us ports great progress in the West -World Dominion Press. and are very fanatical Catholics. Indies during the last few years In 1931 we held meetings there, in the organization of women's Belated Eft'orts in Guatemala but owing to continued persecu- tion the Indians stopped roming. societies in the churches. There Roman Catholics are making However, on this visit we had are now 18 church societies in every effort to regain lost ground the joy of baptizing five from Cuba, with 491 members, re- in Guatemala. Their efforts are the town itself, who professed porting more than 700 meetings commendable in many ways: a faith in Christ as Saviour. So during the past year. On their better type of clergymen; more keen were they that we hold a own initiative they have con- active rural work; better educa- convention there, that we did so. ducted seven Sunday schools and tion for children; certain im- Some fanatical women turned distributed 7,000 pieces of litera- provements in the quality of up, hoping to disturb the meetture. Each society has estab- their press; and even a strong ing; but we sang hymns until lished a "wardrobe," collecting party within the church, work- they went off in disgust. They and distributing used clothing to ing to purify the church, or at repeated the experiment the folthe community. Miss Edith M. least to remove the objections lowing day, but a terrible hail- Houston, worker at large, re- that laid it open to'complaint and storm drenched them and they ports that while visiting in the favored the advance of the made a hasty retreat. Not once home of one of the members of Evangelicals. Meanwhile, the were we disturbed again. Later, the societies, she found the evangelical cause continues to a son of one of these fanatical woman of the house examining grow by leaps and bounds. women who had attended the her coat and murmuring, "It meetings for the first time exwould make three little pairs of -Guatemala News. pressed the desire to know the pants." She lost no time in res- Lord. cuing her coat from the modern In Southern Peru Dorcas. Afro-Cuban Cult Alex. Jardine, writing for The Many of the societies have Neglected Continent, tells of a According to the Literary Diprayer groups, meeting once a new Christian group at Macu- gest there is in Cuba a cult month with the sole purpose of sani, southern Peru, who had whose rites sound like a page praying for the evangelization sent a special reque>st for an from pagan Africa. Kidnapof Cuba. -Monday Morning. evangelist to visit them. Mr. ping white children and human Jardine responded and says: sacrifice are a part of the cere- "We found the viUage occupied
monia!. Forty of their witch (66.79 %) are of the opinion aries in fourteen different fordoctors were arrested last De- that religion is losing ground. eign countries. Of the 2,728 cember and twenty others are churches in these foreign counalready serving long terms in World Religions tries, 2,000 are self-supporting. the Government prison. The total membership is 204,894. World Dominion has recently Rumania reported 6,050 bap- This cult originated at Sabee, published tables as authentic as capital of the West African slave are available of the percentages tisms, which was the largest coast kingdom of Whydah. It and numbers of the religions of number reported for the year. claims 500,000 votaries in Cuba, the world: of whom 100,000 are whites. – Watchman-Examiner. Catholic …….. 350,000,000-17% Gospel Bus in Chile Orthodox ……. 150,000,000- 7% Asia's Children in Sunday Protestant …… 230,000,000-11% School For the past three or four years the Presbyterian mission Of the non-Christian religions India has the largest Sunday in Chile has taken an active part school enrolment in Asia, with in the work of distributing the the Confucianists form 17 %, Korea a close second. There are Scriptures throughout r u r a I Hindus and Moslems 12 % each, 285,000,000 children in Asia areas by means of a gospel bus. under fourteen years of age They have made long trips with Buddhists, Animists, Shin- (excluding Asiatic Russia), out through the country whenever toists, Jews and others making of which number 2,800,000 beweather permitted traffic away up the remainder of the 2,040,- long to Protestant communities from the central highways. 000,000 in that class. -that is one in a hundred. Only Hundreds of New Testaments about one-quarter of these chilhave been left in the homes of Lutherans Go Forward dren have been touched by the country people, many of whom Sunday school. Some have been never leave their thatched huts. The American L u the ran receiving religious instruction in In each place the missionaries Board of Foreign Missions in day schools, but such privileges take the opportunity of telling adopting its budget on April 22, in day schools are rapidly disthe story of Christ, reading from removed a 10ro cut in mission- appearing. -Alliance Weekly. the Bible itself, training new ary salaries, and voted to send Christians, and opening new during the year one new or re- Women's Missionary Magazine avenues of interest. placement missionary to each foreign field, and also to make After years of discussion and -Presbyterian Banner. to each field a special contribu- planning, the Women's Mission- tion of $1,000 during the year ary Magazine of the United MISCELLANEOUS ($500 for British Guiana) for Presbyterian Church issued its buildings or general work. Ar- first number in August, 1887, Is Religion Losing Ground? gentina gets $1,500 because of with 2,300 advance subscrip- special needs at Eldorado. The. tions. Mrs. Sarah Foster Hanna In the January Fortune ap- total financial advance for the had the honor of first advocating peared the results of a survey on year is $30,000. such a magazine. Mrs. W. the status of religion in the Clark Hutchison, of Xenia, Ohio, Other indications of renewed was its first editor, and served United States today, based on progress are the building of a for 27 years. She was followed 4,500 interviews secured by For- church in Kobe, Japan, and three by Mrs. George Moore, who tune's investigators. new buildings at Zorzor, Liberia. served for 21 years. A fund The erection of new buildings at raised as a memorial to her sup- An equal number of men and Tsingtao, China, will proceed as plies illustrations for the magawomen were interviewed in all soon as the Luther League of zine. It is now under the capable major geographical areas, in America has attained its objec- editorship of Mrs. J. P. White, both rural and urban communi- tive of $10,000. formerly a missionary in Egypt.
ties. The various economic A special effort to cancel the o Lord our God, thy mighty hand levels were represented as fol- Board's debt is making headway. Hath made our country free; lows: prosperous, 10%; upper The treasurer was able to report that indebtedness had been re- From all her broad and happy land middle class, 27 %; lower middle duced to $80,000 by last March. The regular budget of the Board May worship rise to thee; class, 38%, and poor, 25%. is $471,727. The question: "Is religion in Fulfill the promise of her youth, Baptist Gains Her liberty defend; , America today gaining or losing .More than 17,000 persons, the By law and order, love and truth, ground?" The consensus of largest number in one year in judgment: the history of the Foreign Mis- America befriend! sion Society of the Southern Religion gaining……….. 24.8% Baptist Convention, were bap- The strength of every state increase Losing……………….. 49.90/0 tized by the Society's mission- Same ………………… 17. 20/0 aries and native workers last In Union's golden chain; Has no influence ………. year. The Society has mission- Don't know…………… 1. 3% Her thousand cities fill with peace, 6.8% Her million fields with grain- The virtues of her mingled blood Of those definitely believing In one new people blend; that religion is either gaining or losing, more than two-thirds By unity and brotherhood, America befriend! AMElN. -Henry van Dyke.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Christianity in the Eastern Conflicts. Eastward. The Story of Adoniram tions and achievements of the A Study of Christianity, National- Judson. Portrait. 8vo. 240 pp. next thirty-seven years fill the ism, and Communism in Asia. By Round Table Press. New York. volume. Judson's first wife died William Paton. 224 pp. $1.50. 1937. after fourteen years in Burma Chicago, Willett Clark and Co. and he later married Sarah 1937. There is no more fascinating Boardman. After a few years she too entered into rest and This is a very timely book. or more stimulating reading Judson married a third time. Mr. Paton is a secretary of the The dangers and the difficulties International Missionary Coun- than good missionary biog- overcom~ in pioneer mission cil. Last year he made a trip work for Christ present a very which took him through the Far raphies. They contain stories different story from that of East, India, and the Near East. most modern missions. Those The letters which record his im- of adventure in new fields, sac- were the days of giants and of pressions are among the most heroes and heroines. informing documents of their rificial service, love and rokind that this reviewer has seen. mance, information about new The biographer is a graduate At the insistence of his friends, of Brown University and now Mr. Paton put the substance of peoples and strange lands and professor of missions in Berkthose letters into book form. eley Divinity School, California. Here, then, is a record of what customs, and the study of char- He naturally sympathizes with a thoughtful observer has seen acter development under many Judson's change to Baptist of present conditions in the adverse conditions and toward views, which was the immediate most populous parts of Asia. high ideals. The life of Adon- reason for the founding of the Mr. Paton's concerns are pri- iram Judson, pioneer mission- American Baptist Missionary marily missionary. He is, how- ary to Burma, is such a treas- Union. The biography is vivid ever, interested also in the set- ure house. He has furnished and sympathetic, revealing the ting in which missions must material for many biographies, way God works to build up His work. These chapters contain, histories and historical novels Kingdom "in spite of dungeon, therefore, pictures of trends in in the past eighty-five years. fire and sword." politics, economics, and thought This is a well written life his- tory, documented, with clear The Israel Promises and Their Fulwhich affect the life of the purpose and abundant human filment. By Samuel Hinds Wilkin- Church. interest. While not a spiritual son. 195 pp. 88. 6d. John Bale, interpretation, it is a sympa- Sons, and Danielson. London. 1936. The book does not end with a thetic record. travelogue. The author has What is the teaching of the properly added an interpreta- The subject is too well-known Bible regarding the future of tion. The second half of the to require extended comment. the Jews? The answer would book he terms "Reflections." Going out with his young bride, seem to be simple enough. It is Mr. Paton states what he be- in 1812, as one of the first in fact far otherwise. There are lieves to be the Christian mes- American foreign missionaries, in general two main views held sage. He discusses the relation he found they were not wanted by Christians. One follows the of Church, community, and state by the British East India Com- Jewish interpretation of the in the Far East. He describes pany that controlled foreign re- ancient prophecies concerning the present condition of the lations with India. Moreover, Israel that there will be a recon..; younger churches as he has seen Judson and his wife decided stitution of the Jewish nation in them. He also gives space to that they could not work as Con- Palestine under the Messiah the relation of the Church to the gregational missionaries but when the Jews will reach the changing social order. Mr. must work as Baptists. This highest pinnacle of earthly do- Paton is always soundly evan- cut them off from home support minion and glory. Some Chrisgelical and always sees below for a time. Forbidden to work tians maintain that this will be the surface to the significance in India, after they had come realized at the second coming of of the transient scene. 12,000 miles and were five months away from home, finally K. S. LATOURETTE. after trying Mauritius and Pen- ang, the J udsons found a "crazy old vessel" to take them to Ran- goon. The trials, horrors, hero- ism, joys and sorrows, priva- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the Rl!VIIlW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 397]
Christ. The other view holds that have taken place. Arabia, terest. Dr. Corey is one of the Syria and Palestine, Egypt and recognized leaders of the foreign that the old covenant was abol- Africa, Turkey, Iran, India and m iss ion a r y enterprise, and the Farther East are then con- writes out of long and rich exished by Christ and under the sidered specifically in illumi- perience, first as secretary and nating chapters. While Islam is now as president of the. United new covenant the Church is the still considered an almost impos- Christian Missionary Society of sible field for Christian advance, the Disciples of Christ. His legitimate heir of the promises this book gives an encouraging knowledge of missions is wide record of the progress made. and accurate. He shows the made to Israel. Instead of an The Moslem attitude to Christ is wider range of world missions, changing but Mohammed's fol- "beyond statistics." His clarity earthly dominion and glory, the lowers are becoming more ma- of literary style, wealth of facts terialistic. The weakness and and illustrations, and cogency Church has come into possession strength of Islam are clearly of argument make delightful shown. The absolute necessity reading. So good a book should of a spiritual Zion and a richer of life through Christ might be have an index. more positively stressed. Mosspiritual inheritance. lems who become Christians ARTHUR J. BROWN. know that there is no hope in One of the ablest exponents of Mohammed. The Young Moslem Looks at Life. By Murray T. Titus. 8vo. 181 pp. the latter view is Philip Mauro, Christ and the W orId Today. By $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, paper. Wm. E. Doughty. 12mo. 126 pp. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. whose volume, "The Hope of Methodist Book Concern. New York. 1937. Moslems are an interesting Israel: What Is It?" has had a people. They follow one of the Dr. Doughty was for some most positive religious systems wide circulation and a potent in- time a secretary of the Laymen's in the world and are exceedingly Missionary Movement and later missionary-minded. Many Mosfluence. It is because of this in- of the Near East Relief. He is lem youth are wide-awake and a man of missionary vision and are in training for leadership. fluence that Samuel Wilkinson a clear and convincing speaker In the first chapter of this study and writer. This little volume book for young people in Amerhas written his book to counter- describes the "New Age" in ica, the author introduces Mo- which we live – with its good hammed Bey, a young Moslem act its effect which he regards and evil; "The Changing World" of Kashgar, who desires to see that offers a challenge to Chris- the world by making a pilas harmful and misleading. tians; the "New Destiny" that grimage to Mecca. The book is faced by the Church and the describes his experiences and As director of the Mildmay various nations and races; the reactions and shows that while "World Mission" of Japan, India his eyes were opened to many Mission to the Jews, of London, and other lands; "America in weaknesses in Moslems, his ex- the New Age" and its vast op- perience at Mecca overwhelmed Mr. Wilkinson brings to bear on portunity; the "New World So- him with Islam's greatness. ciety" seen as the Kingdom of the problem a deep interest in God and "Christ's Summons" to Dr. Titus then goes on to show a new departure, calling for a clearly the main facts about Mothe Jewish people and the re- new crusade. hammed and his religion, the practiC'es of Islam and the results of a life-long study of the It is a book of facts, carefully sults seen in the family, in poli- selected and interpreted to show tics and religion. He closes with Scriptures concerning the m. the author's views as to why and a Moslem view of Christianity how the world should be made and Islam's challenge to the He undertakes to establish on over to conform to the spirit and world. Young people will do purpose of Christ. The facts well to read it. They will then impregnable foundations the in- are impressive but we believe have deeper appreciation of that the Bible leads us to expect Christ and Christianity. violability of the promises con- the complete fulfilment of Christ's purposes only when lie What Is the Moslem World? By cerning Israel and the certainty returns to reign. Charles R. Watson. 8vo. 207 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, paplr. of their plenary fulfilment. His Beyond Statistics. By Stephen J. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. Corey. 188 pp. $1.00. Bethany book is a very valuable contri- Press. St. Louis. Mo. 1937. Few men know the Near East Moslem world better than Dr. bution to the study of the sub- Here is one of the best of re- Watson. He was born in Egypt cent missionary books, small in of missionary parents and has ject, but we wish that its mes- size, but large in value and in- been a missionary there for twenty years. In this adult missage had been less controversial and less limited in its scope by the arguments which he seeks to meet. These books by Philip Mauro and Samuel Wilkinson are keen and interesting ex- amples of diverse Biblical inter- pretation. J. S. CONNING.
Mecca and Beyond. By Edward M. Dodd and Rose Wilson Dodd. IlIus. 12mo. 222 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 cents, paper. Central Committee on the United Study of Foreign Missions. Boston. 1937.
Mecca, the "Forbidden City" to Christians, is a name to conjure with for Moslems. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd have both lived among followers of Mohammed in the Near East and have been in touch with them ever since they left Persia (Iran). This popular and well-written study book is good reading for it deals, not with abstract, but with concrete facts and incidents. First the authors view "the Moslem and his world" as a whole and show the remarkable changes
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
sion study book he has given the the churches and missions are well told, always attract children main facts about the lands and included, with 2,298 mission- and at the same time educate peoples where Islam holds sway. aries. The information is un- them and develop their human He points out many peculiarities avoidably and unfortunately in- sympathies. A child naturally of the Moslems and the "grip- complete. has no racial prej udices and can ping power of Islam." He also Bust., Until Seventy Times Seven. By be deeply interested in the way May Wyburn. Illus. 12mo. 192 presents the main facts as to the children of other lands live and contact of Christians with Mos- pp. $1.25. Loizeaux Bros. New talk, work and play. Here, by lems. Where Dr. Watson fails, York. 1936. means of captivating pictures we think, is in dealing with the The Water Street Mission, on every page, with attractive New York City, has long been verses and stories, the reader is weakness of Islam, its increased introduced to children from antagonism to Christ as known known as a place where modern Greenland, China, Japan, India, to Christians, and its supreme miracles are wrought. The story Africa, the Philippines and from of lives and natures transformed Palestine. Here are friendly, need for the Gospel. In looking and regenerated there have a attractive stories for very young to the future he calls on Chris- perpetual thrill and will never children, suitable for use in the grow old. Here the widow of home and Sunday school, as well tians to make better use of their as by teachers of young children resources, to understand the the former superintendent, a in day school. true man of God, gives some of task and its difficulties, to use these wonder tales of city mis- Kill or Cure. By Muriel Lester. 135 more strategy with a united ap- sion work, under the subtitle of pp. $1.00. Gokesbury Press. Nashproach to the problem. Mission- three Biblical names of three ville, Tennessee. 1937. aries to Moslems know that un- superintendents – J ere m i a h failing faith and prayer and lov- This is an avowedly "peace (McAuley), Samuel (Hadley) tract," by the woman who has ing sacrifice are required, but and John (Wyburn). These men been called "the Jane Addams" that the fruit must come from of England and who had become the Spirit of God opening blind are worth knowing and the eyes and bringing new life to dead souls. stories of their lives and the In the Jungles of New Guinea. By harvest that resulted from their internationally known not only Missionary R. Hanselmann. lllus. seed-sowing and watering fur- for her remarkable Christian Pamphlet. Lutheran Book Concern. nish good illustrations for ser- Columbus, Ohio. mons as well as excellent read- service in the tenement district ing. Here is a place where men New Guinea is still unknown were truly converted. They of London but for her eloquent to most Americans, in spite of knew it and others knew it by the fact that it is an immense the way their light shone before advocacy of world peace. In island and has great wealth and men and glorified God. Read interest for explorers, anthro- these "wonder tales" and pass this little book she convincingly pologists, scientists, exploiters them on to others as a witness and especially for missionary- of the redemptive power of shows the utter futility of war minded Christians. Christ. and the urgent need of develop- Mr. Hanselmann, a Lutheran Just Like You Stories. For Boys and missionary in the Mandated Ter- Girls. By Mrs. Henry W. Peabody. ing attitudes and methods for ritory, gives here his impres- Illus. 186 pp. $1.50. M. H. Leavis. sions of the flora, the fauna and Boston,. Mass. 1937. preventing it. Some readers the natives. A little is told about his experiences with them Eyegate is one of the most ef- may feel that she carries her and the effective work of the fective means of entrance into Lutherans. the mind and heart and soul. pacifism to extremes, but they will respect her sincerity. Dr.
Stanley Hunter adds an inter- esting biographical sketch of the author. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
About the Old Faith. By Henry W.
Frost. 12mo. 128 pp. $1.25.
Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. 1937.
The Evangelical Handbook of Latin Wise guidance in a child's read- In these days of new man- America. Paper. Quarto. 119 pp. ing is therefore one of the most made cults and of militant un- 48. Committee on Cooperation in belief there is need for short, Latin America, New York and the important avenues of learning. clear studies in revealed truth. World Dominion Press, London. And yet multitudes of children 1937. today, even in Christian homes, Those who are experimenting in With excellent maps, statisti- are having their tastes vitiated, new creeds need to avoid the cal tables, general information, their standards lowered, and toadstool variety of philosophy and directory of missionaries in their future endangered by the that carries death. each of the Latin American silly, distorted and often degrad- For half a century Dr. Frost countries, this volume gives val- ing reading they find in news- has tested the brand of faith uable up-to-date information. papers and books. Dr. May which he presents here in simple Everyone interested in the Lazar, research assistant of the outline. It has, m 0 reo v e r, progress of missions in these Board of Education, New York proved its value for two thoutwenty-one countries (including City, warns against many fairy- sand years and continues to islands in the West Indies) tales and "series books" that bring life and strength today to should have this Handbook for distort their ideas about life. those who follow it. Here is an study and reference. Most of True stories of children, when elementary volume for students,
rather than an advanced treatise Immensity. God's Greatness Seen in With Christ in Africa. By Rev. D. A. Creation. By Clarence H. Benson. McDonald. Illus. 158 pp. 28. 6d. on the Christian faith. Dr. Frost Illus. 8vo. 140 pp. $1.50. The Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd., bases everything on the Bible, Scripture Press. Chicago. 1937. London, Edinburgh. Obtainable in though in many cases the refer- America from Zondervan Publishences are lacking. His general The wonders of God's uni- ing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. verse can be grasped only faintly $1.00. 1937. topics are: The Godhead, Christ, Man, Sin, The Scriptures, Fun- -its magnificence, its order, its "The persons who say, 'Let design, its harmony in immen- the Africans alone; they are damental Doctrines, The Church, sity and in minuteness. There quite happy,' have never lived Christian Experience, Christian is fine opportunity for unending close to African life." For Privileges, Christian Services, forty years (1892-1931), Rev. Vital Topics, The Unseen World, study for it is a study of the D. A. McDonald lived among the works of God. Mr. Benson here people of South Africa, daily Prophecy and the Final State. gives glimpses of the wonders adding to his evidence that "The For most purposes the studies of astronomy and the lessons we dark places of the earth are full learn as to God's character and of the habitations of cruelty." are too analytical. There is no purpose. The author is director The story of his life and work argument but rather a series of among the peoples of Kafraria numbered statements to set forth of Christian Education Courses and North East Transvaal rethe author's interpretations of in Moody Bible Institute, Chi- veals a genuine understanding and appreciation of the Zulus the Bible teaching. There are cago, and is author of "The and Vendas among whom he almost no extra Biblical illustra- Earth, the Theater of the Uni- faithfully and victoriously contions or examples of the way verse" and other volumes. Here ducted his business of "life- is a book that makes infidelity changing." these truths work out in life. impossible to an honest, intel- Young people who wish to know From the point of general in- ligent thinker. It is also fasci- terest the effectiveness of the what the Word of God says will nating reading and furnishes an book is somewhat hampered by find Dr. Frost's studies illumi- immense amount of material for nating. Missionaries will also sermons. Every chapter is linked up to Bible passages and find them of real value to clarify the closing chapter is on the their own thinking and as a text- book for use with converts.
Except Ye Repent. By Harry A. "Star of Bethlehem" – not yet a too exact emphasis on the Ironside. 8vo. 191 pp. $1.50. clearly identified. names of obscure places and American Tract Society. New York. people. But the genuineness, the 1937. Pioneering in Kwangsi. By W. H. Oldfield. Illus. 8vo. 208 pp. whimsical naIvete and the splen- The number of strong and Christian Publications, Inc. Har- did Christian vitality of the man convincing evangelical preach- risburg, Pa. 1936. make his narrative a real testi- ers seems to be diminishing Kwangsi is one of the larger mony to the joy of courageous rather than increasing, so that and generally unevangelized Christian living.
volumes of sermons, like this, provinces in southwest China. FLORENCE LERRIGO.
are prizes worth having. Dr. Here The Christian and Mission- Ironsides, pastor of the Moody ary Alliance has done and is do- Cross of Christ. By George P. Pier- Memorial Church, Chicago, is a ing a remarkable work among son, D.D. $1.50. 173 pp. Amer- ican Tract Society. New York. powerful evangelical and pop- Chinese and aboriginal tribes. 1937. ular preacher and a clear ex- The courage, sacrifice, and perpositor. This series of sermons severence of these missionaries This timely little volume is , on Repentance won the $1,000 have produced some remarkable well worth a young Christian's prize offered by the American results. (See the article by Rev. examination and p ray e r f u I Tract Society. They are worth A. C. Snead in this issue of THE study. Dr. Pierson, for forty years a missionary in Japan, it – short, evangelical, Biblical, REVIEW.) practical, arresting, adapted for The Rev. W. H. Oldfield, one places the Cross where it should present-day needs. This series of the pioneers, describes vividly be, at the center, and he focuses takes up the meaning of repent- the land and people, the material the divine light of God's Word ance, Christ's call to repent, the progress in recent years and the upon it from all angles-"from teaching of various apostles and work of the Alliance in its vari- above, from the background, Biblical writers on the subject ous stations and outstations. It from its very self, from either and the results of preaching re- is a story of faith, of courage, of side, from the foreground, from pentance today. Ministers and adventure and of achievement. below, and from the ensuing missionaries will do well to study There are still millions who are centuries." In doing so he brings this volume carefully and to unevangelized and one can travel forward the essentials of the preach on the same subject hundreds of miles without see- Christian faith that need emoften. It is too much neglected ing a Christian chapel. Some phasis and restatement at the and too superficially treated. of the best work is being done present hour.
"Except ye repent, ye shall all by Chinese Gospel Bands that Dr. Pierson is well qualified likewise perish," are the words are trained and then go out to for this work not only from a of Christ to religious leaders of evangelize their fellow country- scholastic standpoint but also His day. men. from personal experience. After
from Princeton Uni- The Deeper Life. Max I. Reich. 115 of this Course
versity and S e min a r y, he pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdmans. Young People's Society may preached these truths in Japan Grand Rapids, Mich. , converted into a School for and America. A. H. P'ERPE1'UO. Bible Training. Four Point Project Program. Based New Book. on Missionary Heroes Course No.1. 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Theodore L. Conklin. 30 pp. Board But, Until Seventy Times Seven. S. of Education, American Baptist Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I, The Bible-The May Wyburn. 192 pp. $1.25. Asso. New York. God of the Bible. Part II, The Christ of the Bible Loizeaux Bros. New York. -The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp- God's Methods for Holy Living. tion. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. Christ and the World Today. Wm. Donald Grey Barnhouse. 93 pp. E. Doughty. 126 pp. Methodist 50 cents. Revelation. Philadelphia. Send 15c in stamps for current issue. Book Concern. New York. The History of Sin. Happy Though HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS.IN(; My Servant Moses. E. Ray Cameron. Poor. History of Temptation. Men 187 pp. $1.50. Revell. New York. Whom God Struck Dead. The 1502 N. Third St., Hlrrisburg, PI. Marks of, Sonship. When Winter Then and Now in Kenya Colony. Comes. Donald Grey Barnhouse. Bishop Lauress J. Birney, retired, Willis R. Hotchkiss. 160 pp. $1.50. 16 page leaflets. 10 cents each. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Revell. New York. Revelation. Philadelphia. died in Pasadena, California, on May 10 at the age of 65. He was born in James Hudson Taylor. James J. Living in the Ministry of Song. Tom Dennison, Ohio, and after graduation Ellis. 96 pp. 18. Pickering & Jones. 180 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering from Boston University School of Inglis. London. & Inglis. London. Theology, served several pastorates. He was elected Dean of Boston Uni- Pioneering in Kwangsi. W. H. Old- Obituary Notes versity in 1911 and in 1920 was ele- field. 208 pp. Christian Publica- vated to the Bishopric, with China as tions. Harrisburg, Pa. (Concluded from page 337.) his special mission field. Mr. Frederic F. Helmer, editorIal Christendom and Islam. Their Con- secretary for North America for the tacts and Cultures Down the Cen- China Inland Mission, died in Toronto, turies. W. Wilson Cash. 205 pp. Canada, March 19. Mr. Helmer had $2.00. Harpers. New York. filled various positions in the C. I. M., among others Publication and Prayer Church Unity. F. H. Knubel. 86 pp. Union Secretary. He remodeled 75 cents. United Lutheran Pub. China's Millions and founded Young House. Philadelphia.· China.
OBJEOTIVES AND PRINOIPLES FOR YOUTH We earnestly commend the following personal and social objectives for. the enlistment of youth: .
I surrender my life to Jesus Christ and His way of living and I enlist in His service.
I believe that it is the purpose of God to make Christ known in all the world so that all human relationships will be controlled by God's law of love. I propose to live, so far as He enables me, as if His Kingdom were now recognized.
I will faithfully observe a "quiet time" each day for meditation and prayer and the study of God's Word.
I will regard my lifework as my share in extending God's Kingdom. I will choose my life- work in accordance with what I can discover to be God's will, and not for personal selfish gain. I will practice restraint and self-denial in all my personal nabits.
I will keep my friendships on a high level, not conforming to lower standards of the world, but helping to lift the standards of my group to the best that I know, as God has revealed His way of life.
I will serve Christ through the Christian Church, doing all that I can to make it the effec- tive instrument that it must be if God's world is to be truly Christian.
I will oppose the war system as murderous and selfish, and will work ceaselessly for the establishment of peace based on righteousness and love.
I will refrain from the use of alcoholic liquors, and will work to rid the world of the degrading liquor traffic.
I will treat those of all races as my brothers and sisters made in the spiritual image of God.
I will give myself to the creation of better economic and social conditions wherein every member of society shall have opportunity to earn a livelIhood for himself and those dependent upon him and wherein every member of society shall have sufficient to meet his economic needs.
I will use my leisure time only for such recreation as is wholesome and will enrich and uplift personality, and will refrain from amusements which injure or degrade myself or others.
I will give of my time, as far as possible, to working for the building of a Christian world -in personal work, public speaking, writing, and circulating literature, and in every possible way evangelizing for Christ.
I will give sacrificially of my earnings and other possessions to support the enterprises which are working to build a Christian world.
I will conscientiously seek to obey the Will of God as revealed in His written Word and will put Him first in all things-that Christ may have the preeminence. -Adapted from "The Evangelical-Messenger."
THE SPECIAL uMOSLEM NUMBER"
OF THE MISSIONARY ~'WORID This October Issue will contain articles on CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD Why Take Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Gospel for Mohammedans W. Wilson Cash Present.day Trends in Islam Edward C. Dodd Moslem Reactions to Christ • James Haldane My Experience with Moslems Frank C. Laubach Christ and Moslem Homes . Eleanor Calverley What Christ Has Done for Me • S. Khoobyar A Sermon by a Former Moslem Saee'd Kurdistani and others—with maps and illustrations ORDER COPIES IN ADVANCE FOR YOURSELF AND MISSION STUDY CLASSES 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streel:s, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor READ THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor SOME ARTICLES IN THE JULY NUMBER Patience (Editorial) George Swan The Arabic Version of the Bible Paul Erdman The Bible and Moslems • J. Christy Wilson The Bible in the Balkans • James Oscar Boyd The Koran as Magic Bess Allen Donaldson Moslem Chronology in China Isaac Mason Shi'a Standards of Hyderabad • • Kate Greenfield A Statistical Survey Carlo Gasbarri Why Not Canonize Mohammed? Mounir R. Sa'adeh Egypt Tastes Independence Pierre Crabites Book Reviews ••• Current Topics••• Survey of Periodicals __-+)0 SUBSCRIBE NOW ~~-._ 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHA!.!., MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, !.ondon, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1937
1937
Hope for the Renaissance of China E. Stanley Jones Christ Comes to the Navajo c. G. Salsbury How Chinese Spend Sunday in Peiping James P. Leynse When a Missionary Stopped at the Ranch Antonio H. Perpetuo Jonathan Goforth of China J. A. McMillan Conflicting Issues in Spain Juan Orts Gonzalez The Outlook for Missions Tomorrow Review by Courtenay H. Fenn 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea1'
to Remember Mr. Rome A. Betts, who has served Mukden Medical Mission and prin-
the American Bible Society as as- February 7-13-Negro History Week. sistant to Dr. George William Brown cipal of the Mukden Medical College. February 8-13-International Council A very stimulating life of Dr. Christie since March I, 1936, has been ap- was written a few years ago by his of Religious Education, Executive pointed Associate Secretary of the wife and published by James Clarke Committee and Associated Meet- Society, effective January I, 1937. He & Co., London. * .. .. ings. Chicago, Ill. will be responsible for financial culti- February IS-Annual Meeting of The vation, including that of annuities, Dr. J. Gresham Machen, the Missionary Review of the WorId, founder of the Westminster Theolog- 156 Fifth Ave., New York. legacies, special gifts, and gifts from ical Seminary, Philadelphia, the presi- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- individuals. Mr. Betts is a member of the Board of Directors of the dent of the Independent Presbyterian ARY ASSEMBLIES Board of Foreign Missions, the first February 2-4-Winter Haven. Y. M. C. A. in Summit, New Jersey; moderator of the newly organized February 4-S-Ft. Myers. is president of the New Jersey State February 4-S-Sarasota. Association of the Y. M. C. A., and a Presbyterian Church of America and February 6-11-St. Petersburg. the well- known New Testament February 7-10-Clearwater. member of the Boys Work Committee scholar, died of pneumonia at Bis- February 1O-12-Tampa. of the National Council of the Y. M. February 13-16-Tallahassee. mark, N. D., while on a speaking C. A. * * .. tour. Dr. Machen was born in Balti- Personal Items Dr. John R. Mott, Chairman of the more, Md., on July 28, 1881. After Dr. S. G. Inman, for 20 years Ex- being graduated from Johns Hopkins ecutive Secretary of the Committee World's Committee of the Young University and after studying in Geron Cooperation in Latin America, was Men's Christian Association, and Dr. requested by the Department of State Fletcher S. Brockman, forme1' secre- many in 1905-6, he became instructor to act as special adviser to the United in New Testament E x e g e sis in States delegation to the Buenos Aires tary general of the Young Men's Princeton Theological Seminary. In Christian Association for China, have Conference. … … … been decorated with the Ordel' of the 1906 he withdrew to form the West- minster Seminary and later set up an Bishop Azariah, of Dornakal, South Brilliant Jade by the Chinese Gov- independent board of foreign mis- India, is to be in the United States ernment. this year to attend the General Con- sions. Dr. Machen was the author of several scholarly volumes, including vention of the .E.. pi.s.. co.p.. al Church. BASIS OF CHRISTIAN "The Origin of Paul's Religion," "New STEWARDSHIP Testament Greek for Beginners," and Rev. Dr. George A. Wieland, rector "The Virgin Birth of Christ." He is of the Church of the Epiphany, Se- 1. God is creator and owner of all survived by two brothers, Arthur and attle, Wash., has been appointed ex- things and has put man in the Thomas Machen, both of Baltimore, ecutive secretary of the field depart- earth to develop it. Md. ment of the National Council of the * * … Episcopal Church. 2. Every man is a steward and must Rev. George J. Geis, the last of a give account to God for all that triumvirate of hardy, pioneer mission- … … … is entrusted to him. aries-Roberts, Hanson, and Geis- Rev. Tokio Kugimiya is the new 3. God's ownership and man's stew- died in Burma, on October 28. These Methodist bishop of Japan to succeed ardship ought to be acknowledged three men established and developed the late Bishop Akazawa. gladly in the use of time and all work among the Kachins of Burma- talents. a work that is one of the outstanding … … … examples of missionary promise and 4. This requires, as part of its ex- achievement. John L. Dube, of South Africa, is pression, the setting apart for the first Zulu to receive the degree of the work of Christ a portion of If you use Ph.D., an honor conferred by the Uni- income recognized by the indiversity of South Africa. His grand- vidual to be according to ability PRINTING father was a Zulu chief. Dr. DuM and the Will of God. founded Ohlange Institute, near Dur- YOU will profit from an acban; also the largest Zulu newspaper 5. The consecrated port,ion ought to quaintanceship with us. We in Natal. In 1935 he was awarded be administered for the work of do the job complete in our own the Silver Jubilee Medal by King God and the remainder, used for plant. whether it be large or George V in recognition of his service personal needs and for. other small. to the Zulu people. good purposes, should be recog- nized as no less a trust. While our specialty is Books, ••• Maga:cines and Pamphlets, yet Most Christian stewards begin with we have a variety of modern Mr. Kenneth Maclennan, for 25 setting aside at least a tenth as de- equipment to meet all the reyears secretary of the Conference of voted to the work that Christ came quirements of your particular British Missionary Societies and as- into the world to do. The proportion job. You will find our service sociated with the International Mis- should increase as income increases. prompt, careful and courteous. sionary Council since the Edinburgh Conference in 1910, has recently re- Obituary Notes Will you allow us to estimate signed and his place as secretary of on your next printing? We bethe conference of British Missionary Dr. Melvin Fraser, for 36 years a lieve you will be delighted with Societies is being taken by Mr. J. W; missionary in West Africa under the our product, price and service. C. Dougall. Mr. Maclennan was Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died brought up in a Scottish family of at St. Augustine, Florida, on Decem- The EVANGELICAL PRESS seven in which the. father never ber 14th at the age of 78. Dr. Fraser earned more than £1 a week. "But," was graduated from Lafayette Col- Printers of said Mr. Maclennan, at a farewell lege in 1882 and from the theological The Missionary Review of the World dinner, "we had a rich life. My fa- seminary in 1887. He sailed for Afther left us an honored name, a horror rica in 1894 and rendered very effec- PlANT AND MAIN OFFICE for debt and a fidelity to truth." tive service, one of his contributions Third Ind Reily Streets Hlrrlsbura, P.. to the work being the translation of the Bible into B…ulu…. …
Dr. Dugald Christie, one of the honored pioneer missionaries of the Scotch Presbyterian Church to Man- churia, died in London, England, on December 7th, at the age of 81. He was educated in Edinburgh Univer- sity, and until his retirement two years ago, was superintendent of the
MISSIONARY POINTS TO REMEMBER IN CHRISTIAN GIVING *
REVIEW OF THE WORLD 1. Christians should ask money for the Lord's work from Believers only. DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, VOL. LX FEBRUARY,1937 No.2 that THEY bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it will- ingly with his heart ye shall take my offering (Ex. 25: 1, 2). Take Publication and Business Office– ye from among YOU an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a Third and Reily Sts.• Harrisburg. Pa. willing heart let him bring it (Ex. 35: 5).
Editorial and Executive Office— 2. Money should not be received from unbelievers for the Lord's work. 156 Fifth Avenue. New York City. Entered as second-class matter at And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not Act of March 3, 1879. take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made AJram rich (Gen. 14: 22, 23). 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. And King David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full Published· ' monthly, except August. price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer All rights reserVed. Copyrighted 1937. burnt offerings without cost (1 Chron. 21: 24).
an~r~~~t, a~~nt~ate~~~~::I~uNg[:::. Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God (Ezra 4: 3). The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we, his servants, will London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, 10 shillings a year. arise and build; but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem (Neh. 2: 20). MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Because that for his name's sake they went forth taking nothing of the LISHING CO., INC. Gentiles (3 John 7). The sacrifice of the wicked is an abotl'j-ination to the Lord (Prov. 15: 8). BOARD OF DIRECTORS But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my stat- utes? (Ps. 50: 16). ROHERT E. SPEER, President See, also, 2 Cor. 6: 14-18, and Mat. 17: 24-27. A. L. WARNBHUIB, Vice-President W ALTER MCDOUGALL, 'llreasurer 3. Three things are to be remembered in Christian giving: DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary First-The PERSON to whom we give is the Lord. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord (Ex. 35: 5). WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord (Ex. D. J. FANT 35: 29). MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things from you, an WM. B. LIPPHARD odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God ERIC M. NORTH (Phil. 4: 18). SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Second-The PRINCIPLE, or how to give. Editorial Chat (a) SysteJnatically-not irregularly nor impulsively. The annual meeting of THE REVIEW Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him will be held in the Assembly Room on in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). the 8th Floor, 156 Fifth Avenue on Thursday afternoon, February 18th (b) Individually. at 2 o'clock. This will be a business Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him meeting to receive annual reports and in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). to elect directors for the ensuing year. For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened (2 Cor. Personal notices with proxies will be 8: 13). sent to stockholders. (c) Proportionately. *** Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). Some very important articles are to And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or appear in the next number of THE of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the REVIEW, including the presidential ad- Lord (Lev. 27: 30). dress of Robert E. Speer on "Things Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But we say, That Change and Things That Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Abide," an address that made a deep (Mal. 3:8). impression at the recent Foreign Missions Conference in Asbury Park. (d) Cheerfully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him *** give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9: 7). The paper by Dr. Speer, "A M:is- For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power sionary Appraisal as of January 1, they were willing of themselves (2 Cor. 8: 3). 1937," has been reprinted in leaflet form and copies may be had by writ- (e) Sacrificially. ing to the Board of Foreign Missions And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow of the Presbyterian Church, 156 Fifth hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their Avenue, New York. abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had (Luke 21: *** 3,4). Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liJerality The plans for coming months in- (2 Cor. 8: 2). clude a special number of THE RE- VIEW (June) devoted to Christ and Third-The REWARD of giving. the Rural Life of America, the home mission topic for the year; another It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20: 35). issue (October) will be devoted to the But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Mat. 6: 20). foreign mission topic, "Christ and the For God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9: 7). Moslem World." For with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Heb. 13: 16). Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in *** mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if The following testimonial to THE I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless- REVIEW has come from the secretary ing, that there shaH not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3: 10). for Young People's Missionary Education in the United Church of Can- THE LATE C. I. SCOFIELD. ada: • From The Oentral American BuUetin, Dallas, Texas. "I look forward to continue to read THE MISSIONARY REVIEW and con- [ 65] gratulate you on the wonderful work you are doing'."
DR. F. C. STEPHENSON.
A TYPICAL NAVAJO INDIAN HOGAN
AIR VIEW OF THE GANADO MISSION TO THE NAVAJOS, ARIZONA (See pages 75 to 80)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1937 Topics of the Times "FIRST THERE IS GOD" said, and those words seem to stand out as the The reason for Christian missions and all the token and symbol of a Christian's whole life. abiding results are due to the fact that God calls us into partnership with Him. Missionary enter- That was the heart of the message to the conferprises are successful in proportion as they work in recognition of that partnership. ence and to men everywhere. First there is God.
From January 6-8 some three hundred repre- In the world around us we see going on a struggle sentatives of sixty-six boards and societies met at Asbury Park, N. J., to confer in the annual meet- between the forces of light and the forces of darking of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America. The discussions and spirit gave one a ness. God is calling us to take our part in that sense of the depth and strength and spiritual vitality of the missionary movement in the United struggle. This is a challenge to carryon the States and Canada. Though budgets may be low, a movement that holds the support in prayer and great work of Christ's Kingdom around the world. personnel of so large and widespread a group as that represented at the conference must play a The program of the conference was divided into great part in the life of the world. two major topics: (1) Has progress been made Dr. Robert E. Speer, the chairman, is entering his last year of service as a mission board admin- in carrying into effect the Jerusalem program for istrator. From his youth, for forty-five years, Dr. Speer has served the missionary movement rural missions such as to deserve the confidence and his keynote speech to this conference, of which he was one of the founders, summed up his pene- of Christians deeply concerned about the world's trating judgment. He rebuked those who care only for the present and the future, and the critics economic, social and spiritual needs? (2) Does who think that a man is out of date because he is most deeply concerned with what happened in the foreign mission movement have an essential Judea and Galilee over nineteen hundred years ago. These things deal with the timeless and part in making real the ideal of a Christian world eternal. There are many things that change. Within the memory of living missionaries, a great community? If so, how can this fact be made Church has grown up in Korea, built up through clear to the young men and women of the churches in North America? There was a general feeling that we are entering into a period of renewed dedication to the Christian ideals of a world Christian community; this calls for new methods and should lead to new discoveries of the value of the Christian faith and the richness of God's pro- vision.
Another important topic considered was the 1938 meeting of the International Missionary Council, to be held in Hangchow, China.
If the conference was in any sense a cross-sec- tion of the thinking of the churches in North America the signs of the times are full of hope.
, A': L. WARNSHUIS.
the years of national trial. At the end of fifty WHEN LAYMEN ARE ON FIRE years of mission work there are more Christians in Korea than there were in all the Roman Em- Thirty years ago the Laymen's Missionary pire at the end of the first Christian century. So Movement was organized in America and for the past fifty years have been a period of great twenty years exercised a profound influence in the change all over the world. But there is the Church at home and on mission work abroad.
changeless also. "First there is God," Dr. Speer New spiritual energy was released in the Church [67]
and was harnessed for practical service. Many sufficiency of Jesus Christ for men and women of every laymen were quickened to vital faith, more conse- race and every rank of society. crated service and loving self-sacrifice. Giving was increased through a new sense of steward- The evidential value of all this became inescapable. ship; laymen journeyed to the mission fields at That Jesus Christ by His ever-present Spirit was seen to their own expense to see and report on the work, be giving power and peace in every conceivable situation and Christ was glorified as He was lifted up and in life brought unspeakable comfort in face of the national followed into all the world. Laymen's Mission and international confusions of our time. The evidence Movements sprang up in Great Britain and else- was cumulative in value, for its momentum increased with where. Gradually most of these have died down every new illustration, until missionaries are seen to be and disappeared. Today the Church in Amer- presenting to the people of every land a unique Master ica, its members and the work, feel the need who is actually producing unique lives and inspiring of an awakening and renewed activity on the part unique movements. Failures only served to show that in of Christian laymen. The remnant of the original such cases the conditions of victory had not been fulfilled. Movement still carries on bravely from its Chi- And whatever the opposing forces the result was always cago headquarters but the Church as a whole is the same. For the sixty missionaries had to tell of the not reached-so far as the men are concerned. pernicious influence of materialism in the West, of an atheistic communism in the East, and of a growing mili- In Great Britain twenty years ago the Meth- tarism everywhere. But it was demonstrated that when- odist Laymen's Movement was organized to bring ever Jesus Christ is allowed to do His work, by means of together missionaries on furlough and laymen for a worthy portrayal and a sincere acceptance, He is seen conference and prayer on the world-wide mission to be always victorious. The consequence is that the dis- of the Church. This Laymen's Movement now illusioned coolie in China, the disillusioned student in meets annually at Swanwick for these conferences India, the disillusioned farmer in Africa, and the disillu- for three days and exerts a powerful influence on sioned materialist in Western countries find all alike that the spiritual life and activities, especially of in Jesus Christ they obtain a satisfied mind and heart. British Methodists. A year ago, when retrench- A new proof of the universality of the appeal of Jesus is ment in missions seemed inevitable, the laymen thus provided by missions overseas. The dynamic of the . rose to the occasion and as a result an increase of indWelling Christ meets the needs of every type of hu- over £80,000 ($400,000) in gifts was reported at manity, and meets those needs when all else hitherto has the close of the year. failed. At the foot of His Cross, East and West actually meet in brotherly love.
It is time for a new and more widespread Lay- men's Missionary Movement in America, such as has already begun, locally, in the United Pres- byterian Church in Elyria, Ohio.
The "Laymen's Swanwick" is a time of fellow- RUSSIA MARCHING ON – WHITHER ship, of prayer and conference and of preparation for the coming year. Missionaries gain a better Many changes have taken place in Russia in the understanding of the Church and the missionary past fifteen years – politically, socially, intellecsociety and their problems, while the laymen at tually, economically and religiously. Many of home gain a new vision of the field and what these are good, others are evil because they are Christ is doing in other lands. The result is new opposed to God and His laws. stimulus, new power, new knowledge and renewed consecration. Twenty years ago Russia was counted a "Chris- tian nation." While the Church was under State Dr. J. F. Edwards, recently editor of the control and spiritually weak, outwardly it was Dnyanoooya of Poona, has this to say of the value strong. While many of the clergy were corrupt of these Swanwick conferences to the missionary: and worship was formal and ritualistic,. the For the missionary himself the opportunity was price- churches were filled. While the masses were less. As one sat through those conferences it was as if ignorant of the Bible, the vast majority of the a panorama of the world's diverse civilizations passed be- peasants were humble and devout believers in fore one's eyes. India, China, Africa, Japan, Korea, Christ. Today the Marxist revolution and the Europe, America and the far-off islands of the seven seas, spread of atheistic Communism have almost put each presented the vast proJlem of life in all its varied the churches out of existence. Antireligious and settings. Never had the writer been so impressed by the atheistic propaganda have led to the closing of weltering chaos of our present-day world as he was when over 14,000 churches and 43,000 Russian clergythese missionaries painted their word-pictures. The amaz- men are reported to have been murdered or have ing thing was the way in which Jesus Christ, by His Liv- died in prisoILcamps. Not only is the teaching of ing Spirit, was seen to be actually solving that problem religion to youth forbidden but antireligious muamong all these varied races of the world. Whether it seums are exploited and atheism is systematically was the untouchables of India who were being portrayed, taught in schools and universities. The League or the black folk of Africa, or the suffering millions of of the Militant Godless, organized ten years ago, China, the deepening impression all through those six days claims that one-half the population is now was that a complete presentation of Christ and a whole- atheistic. hearted acceptance of Him yield unfailingly the same resuIt: triumph and transfiguration. As each day came and went it left its own unshakable conviction concerning the
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
In 1897 a census of Russia showed a population Eternal, all-wise, all-powerful and all-loving God, of 125,000,000. Today there are reported to be as He is revealed in Christ and the Bible. As 180,000,000 in Russia and Siberia. While the Dr. Fulton J. Shean, of Washington, D. C., said country is under the control of the Communist in a recent address: Party, with Stalin as practical dictator, there "The prevalence of human dictatorships is a feeble attempt to achieve from the outside the are only about 1,000,000 members in this ruling unity that the Christian achieves from the inside. . . . When the body loses its soul, it disintegrates party. They claim that about 43 % of the youth into the elements which compose it. When the soul, God, leaves the body of society, it begins to are now "communist minded" and have been trained to deny the very existence of God.
In spite of the fact that the constitution (pub- lished in June 1935) proclaims freedom of con- disintegrate. That is why Russia, which is the science and the right to hold religious services, most anti-Christian nation on earth today, prethe Government does all in its power to discour- sents as its symbol of unity a corpse, the body of age religious faith and Christian worship. Free- Lenin-a perfect symbol of that to which Godless dom is proclaimed for antireligious propaganda communism must lead-=-dust, dissolution, death." but Christian evangelism and religious education are forbidden. President Yaroslavsky of the Religious Conflict in Palestine Militant Godless League says: "We will continue our antireligious propaganda for there are still The total population of Palestine is a little over millions of Christian believers in the Soviet 1,300,000; of these about 63 % are Mohamme- Union." dans, 30% are Jews, and 7%, or 90,000, are Repressive measures are carried on against Christians. The Jews are increasing in number Russian Orthodox Church members, Evangelical more rapidly, through immigration, than are the Christians, Roman Catholics, Moslems and Jews. other communities. A considerable proportion The leaders of the State are opposed to any recog- of Evangelical Christians are comparatively well nition of a supreme God for they fear that such educated and quite influential, the most of them recognition may interfere with the dictates and being either themselves converts from the Greek program of the State, as supreme. Orthodox Church or their descendants. Open But religious and Christian faith are far from profession of the Christian faith on the part of dead in Russia. Fifty percent of the farmers Mohammedans has thus far been rare. The still persist in their Christian faith and worship. number of Protestant schools and hospitals in Half of· the youth of the land are reported as the country have had an excellent effect in the clinging to belief in God and some 40,000 com- general dissemination of Christian truth among munities still maintain churches. Vital religion the people and it is hoped that this will produce also persists among the majority of Lutherans, more tangible results. As in most other parts Baptists, Stundists and other Evangelicals. In of the Near East, there is great need for a some regions personal evangelists are reported to forward movement in faithful, loving Christlike be active and groups to study the Bible have been witness to the Mohammedan masses and also to formed in factories and elsewhere. the nominal Christians.
If Russia continues in her denial of God she is The number of Jewish converts is small, though doomed, for she denies the realities that make for somewhat larger than those from Islam. The life and depends on the things that pass away. Jews appear to be under the influence and control Materialism is dominant in Russia today. The of the conservative minority. The Sabbath is very U. S. S. R. is being militarized in the nth degree strictly observed, no shops or other houses of for dependence is on physical forces and on the business being allowed open. Last summer an engines of death. effort was made to place paid advertisements in All progress made in Russia in the last fifteen the Hebrew daily papers stating the willingness years is on materialistic lines. Thus education, of a Christian gentleman to send a free copy of economic improvements, collective farming and the Gospel to anyone who would apply for it, but the socialization of the State have brought great not one of these papers would accept the notice.
changes, many of them beneficial, but the Commu- The Palestine Post of Jerusalem, a more liberal nist Internationale for 1936 declares that one of Jewish daily, did print it, however, and there the chief objectives of the cultural revolution is were some responses. It is reported by Evan- to fight against religion. All education and life, gelical missionaries through the country that according to Communist ideas, are based on a there is a very encouraging readiness now on the godless conception of the universe. On this rock part of Jews to buy copies of the New Testament.
the Ship of State in Russia is sure to split, for There appears to be among them generally a fear no nation can long survive that ignores or denies of missionary propaganda, especially that carried the basic fact of the universe. That fact is the on in institutions, and it is possible that the most
effective work will be, at least for the more im- live in the suburbs but spend their working hours mediate future, quiet, personal testimony. in the city. A striking effect of these develop- The troubles between Arabs and Jews have not ments has been the disintegration of city neigh- brought with them any increased hostility to borhoods as such.
Christianity but the attitude of Jews toward Many diverse problems are involved in the Christianity and Christian nations has been much urban process. These include the social, economic affected by recent events. and religious situation among Negroes. The en- There has been a league of Christians – Prot- tire question of child life in the city, with its estants as well as others – with the Mohamme- juvenile delinquency problems, was presented dans in this anti-Jewish and anti-British move- along with an interpretation of the present pro- ment. It has been due almost entirely to fear of gram of the Church in its attempt to meet the being eventually crowded out of the land by the needs of the young in city life.
Jews who, the others are free to confess, are their Secretary Ross W. Sanderson, of the Baltimore superiors in education and financial ability. Federation of Churches, reports that 44 cities, Christians also fear that they may later suffer at each with a population of 100,000 or more, now the hands of the Mohammedans who outnumber have interdenominational federations or councils the Christians in the ratio of 8 to 1. Those com- of churches, with paid executives, and four others petent to judge think that it will take a long time have councils of religious education. A number – perhaps years – completely to restore normal of other cities have similar organizations without conditions. paid executives and some county councils of reli- The missionary's hands are extraordinarily full gious education employ executives who serve at this time and we do not need to search out urban as well as rural areas.
openings for the Gospel message. We seek to The need for frequent appraisals of the pro- show by personal testimony and, where necessary, grams of city churches was emphasized by Dr.
by reasoned proof, the uniqueness of Christ and Channing A. Richardson, Chairman of the Com- the exclusiveness of historical Christianity. We mittee on City Work. Changes in housing and must remind others of the nonearthly, nonpoliti- business areas are so rapid that, within a period cal character of our calling and of our duty cheer- of twenty years, houses deteriorate and property fully to accept suffering in this present age. becomes out of date. Pastors and church federa- W. L. MCCLENAHAN. tions ought to face changing conditions while the * churches are still vigorous and able to adapt them- THE AMERICAN CITY AND ITS TRENDS selves to new constituencies, rather than to wait until the membership is depleted and leadership A significant aspect of the Home Missionary has disappeared. situation in America is the development of metropolitan centers which include areas larger than "Evangelism in our great cities is feasible," dethose within the confines of the cities. "City clared Dr. Jesse M. Bader, of the Federal Council growth itself is spotted," said Dr. Charles H. of Churches of Christ, and he pointed out meth- Sears, at the recent Home Missions Conference ods by which people can be won to Jesus Christ. at Asbury Park. "Out of 746 larger cities, 354 Many problems in the rehabilitation of city life have failed to keep pace with the general growth have an economic basis, yet it is clear that even of population; 512 places classed as cities actually when economic problems are solved, the Church lost population between 1920 and 1934, and four has a spiritual mission and a spiritual contribuof these were cities of more than 100,000 popula- tion to make to the life of our cities.
tion. Along with this, however, there was a dis- In view of the great need of reaching the unproportionate growth in some urban centers con- reached youth of America the Home Missions spicuous, among which are New York, Los An- Councils took decisive steps to extend still further geles, Chicago, and Detroit." the ministry of the church to the boys and girls.
The American city of the present is distinctly It was apparent to alert observers that a real a modern development, owing partly to newer in- unity of Protestant forces is in process of achieve- dustrial trends which have physically separated ment, at least in national areas, a unity which the general management of large industrial enter- may lead to church unions of various sorts but prises from actual production. Due to this and which is not dependent upon them. Church bodies other causes, our metropolitan areas are becoming are learning to work together and, although 'im- vast aggregations of specialists, many of whom patient souls may easily become restless because • The American City, City Population Trends, Social, Economic progress seems slow, yet the advance is real and and Religious Problems of City Life, and the Relation of the Christian Church to these matters occupied the major portion of the there is a growing determination on the part of attention of the annnal session of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions at Asbury Park, New Protestant forces to face the problems of the fu- Jersey, January 11-14. ture together. JAY S. STOWELL.
for the Renaissance of
–tEl I By REV. E. STANLEY JONES, D.D., of India* I . – ~==========================~ T HE eyes of the world are fastened upon China sufficient to sustain the complex life we have built at this tragic time. Many are wondering through the scientific age. what is going to come out of the changes that are taking place in that vast land. Those of us The task of the West is complex, and yet it is who have been privileged to look into the soul of exceedingly simple; it is to make the Reforma- China find our hearts steadied by the facts we tion parallel the Renaissance; to bring up the have seen beneath the surface. In order to under- inner spiritual life so that it may sustain the stand the situation and outlook, one must look at outer material life. If we can do that, our civthe parallels between what took place in the his- ilization may be saved; if not, this new freedom tory of Europe and what is taking place in China will destroy us. In the World War, we looked today. over the brink of the abyss and turned pale, for we saw the possibility of our vast civilization For a thousand years, Europe was under the tumbling to ruin. If such a catastrophy happens sway of tradition; men were not allowed to think again, there is a vast likelihood of the West crumduring the Dark Ages; the minds of men were bling to destruction. cramped, unprogressive, grooved, set; it was an unproductive period. They all had to repent on Five Simultaneous Revolutions bended knees. Life was held by tradition. At the close of that period came two liberating move- Now in China, we find parallel things taking ments. One, called the Renaissance, gave birth place. The Chinese are a people who have an to the new freedom of the mind, and brought amazing culture, stretching back for thousands of forth the scientific age, and later came the me- years. When your forefathers and mine were chanical age which has given tremendous power dressed in the skins of animals, the ancestors of into the hands of Western civilization. But as the present-day Chinese were dressed in silk. At men gained new freedom of mind, they also felt that time they were the most progressive, enlightan innermost necessity for something deeper; ened people on earth. It was in the 15th century, for a new inner life to hold up this material civ- with the coming of the Reformation, the discovilization. Out of the necessity of the case, men ery of America, the perfection of printing, and turned back to religion to gain power by which to the birth of the mechanical age, that the Western live and a new movement was born, deep within world began to pull ahead of China. When the the nature of man. The Reformation came as the first envoys from Portugal began to enter into result of the turning back to the personality and trade relations with China, they were taken into power of Jesus to discover resources by which men a temple and for three days were taught etiquette may live. That discovery gave a regenerating im- so they would be sufficiently cultured to be able pulse to Occidental civilization. Had thatdiscov- to go in to speak to the Chinese viceroy. When ery been given fuli sway, we would not be in the George III of England tried to open trade with position we are in today. In Western civilization China, the Emperor sent a letter to the King of we have inherited two outlooks on life. One is a England in which he said in effect: "I can underpagan, selfish, grasping, greedy outlook; the stand why you want to begin to trade with us, other results from the knowledge that Jesus of but we have no reason to wish to establish rela- Nazareth has given us life based on love, sharing, tions with you, for we have everything we need. cooperation and brotherhood. Western civiliza- You must be very lonely in your little island, so tion at the present time is the struggle between far away from civilization! The only hope for those two ideals. The tragedy is that the Renais- your nation is for you to come over to China." sance has outrun the Reformation so that we have more intelligence than goodness. We have more When we deal with China we deal with a highly power than we have character to handle that cultured people. Remember she has the memory power and as a result there is a breakdown of civ- of ages sounding through her culture. ilization. The character developed has not been In the city of Peiping, I saw five hundred gods gel~S~e t~~~sf~n~~i~~. an address given in America after an evan- worshipped in one temple. Among them was Marco Polo. The Chinese had deified their first visitor from the West. He was the only one of the five hundred standing, looking ahead; the [ 71 ]
others were sitting in calm composure as though time to recover from one before the other came past centuries were looking through their eyes. upon us. But in China today the strain is terrific, For one thousand years, China has said, "The past in that all five have been precipitated in one genwill rule the present as the dead have ruled the eration. When David Yui told Ramsey MacDonald living." Now China has come to the end of that about these five revolutions taking place in China, period; a new age has started; a Renaissance Mr. MacDonald said, "Why in the world did you due to this new freedom of mind. It is an entire have them all at one time?" Mr. Yiu replied, new age in China that has precipitated five great "Mr. MacDonald, which one should we take first?" revolutions at one time. First there is the intel- We couldn't choose; the whole thing was precipilectual revolution, turning from the traditional tated into the mind of Chinese youth. The stuattitude toward the scientific; second, the eco- dents are being subjected to what is perhaps the nomic revolution has changed life founded upon greatest modern spiritual and intellectual strain the old "guild system," to a system of competi- since the world began. They are compelled to do tion; third, the social revolution has changed life the political thinking as well as social, scientific founded on the family to one centered in the State. and religious. As a result conditions are still As a result home life is now breaking up and the chaotic and some are tempted to be discouraged. center of allegiance is leaving the country – at least in theory. The fourth, revolution, is politi- India is also going through these five revolucal. Under the Manchus, the emperor was re- tions, but has had the advantage of the framesponsible to Heaven alone; not to men. Once a work of British stability; China has no such year he went to the temple and gave an account framework; in fact, other nations have taken adto Heaven for his stewardship in ruling the peo- vantage of China to further their own ends. ple. Now they are trying to base government on What is China's great need at the present time? the will of 400,000,000 people. If in the past It is power to remake character, character suffitwenty-five tragic years in China they have not cient to stand the pressure of all these revolutionbeen able to achieve unity, we must be patient. ary movements. When one of the dikes in China, What is twenty-five years in a nation that has built to prevent floods, was very weak, they gave existed for nearly five thousand years. It took a money into the hands of an engineer to make relong time to achieve unity in America. There are pairs. He put part of the money into the dike and 400,000,000 people in China, and to achieve unity the rest into his own pocket. As a result the dike in such a vast concourse is no easy thing. Many was poorly constructed and broke. A million peothink that China is in the throes of dissolution ple perished because of the dishonesty of that and that Japan will conquer the whole country. man. It was Chinese character that broke and Be patient. But though Japan may drive a wedge caused the whole country to be flooded. The whole beyond the Great Wall into the heart of China, structure of human life rests upon character. In it will really be like entering the mouth of China, China, some new moral force must be loosed that and we may yet watch China gulp her down as can make character, because character in China she has done with every other conqueror. Japan has been decaying. Chinese businessmen are is making a tragic mistake, for Manchuria is among the most honest in the world for they have likely to be the Alsace-Lorraine of the Far East. a code of morality in their business dealings. A The Chinese can stand more knocks and get up merchant said to me that if you ask a Chinese smiling, than can anyone else on earth. It may manufacturer to make the silk cheap but very take fifty years before she recovers, but what is beautiful, and tell him that it doesn't matter how fifty years in five thousand? long it lasts, the Chinese will straighten up and say, "That is against our morality." As officials, The fifth revolution is the most important of all the Japanese are more honest than the Chinese -it is a spiritual revolution founded in a great for their loyalty to the Emperor keeps them measure on superstition; men face this situation honest. On the other hand, the Chinese political without an inner steadying of morals, for the edu- officials constitute one of the weakest places in cated soul of China is a vast vacuum; the old is China's whole life. They have inherited this, for dead, the new is not yet fully born and men are under the Manchus officials were paid no salary, confused; they do not know how to live. In the but were supposed to get as much as they could Strait Settlements, a man sent in an application out of their office which they held for life. Now for one of his children to attend school. In the officials are -in office for a short time and many column where he had to indicate his religion, he have become very rapacious. In one place the wrote the word "confusion." (He meant Con- taxes had been collected in that province for six fucian.) The religion of the educated Chinese to- years or more in advance. To pay these farmers day is "confusion." had to surrender their land as they could not keep the soil on these terms. Where China has had These five revolutions were spread over five honest officials, China's life has prospered. I was centuries for Europe and America and we had
HOPE FOR THE RENAISSANCE OF CHINA
at one place humming with activity; twelve thou- to that box; you may vote in folly and ruin or, sand miles of telephone lines were being put up, if high character and intelligence control the baland ten million dollars had been provided for flood lot box then righteousness will rule. Democracy prevention and relief; there were also hundreds may be good but it is not good enough. of miles of good roads. I was told that the secret of this good work was that the head of this con- Where, then, can we turn for regenerative struction was a man of Christian character, and power? The national religion of China is dead, every dollar appropriated for the construction as far as the educated mind is concerned. In was honestly expended. Confidence was created in many places, they have bricked up the idols in the the whole situation because of this gentleman's temples or have changed temples into schools. character. Multiply that kind of man through On two of China's sacred mountains you will see China and the situation is largely solved. One people, not worshiping God, but gambling or governor of a province said to a friend of mine: smoking opium. China's soul today is a vast "I need two things for reconstructing the prov- vacuum. The old is dead; the new has not yet ince-money, and honest, capable men to expend been born. If maxims could save a people, China that money. I can get the first, but not the would be the most saved on earth; if beautiful second." banners and sentiments could save a people, China would have been saved long ago, but back of the Five Enemies of Progress beautiful sayings there is no regenerating Power. Where, then, shall we turn? The head of the Renaissance movement in China said to me: "There are five great enemies in China Two great forces are bidding for the soul of -poverty, disease, ignorance, lack of unity and China-the one is Communism; the other Christ. dishonest officials." "We could do anything, if we Communism already possesses nearly one-fifth of could get unity and honesty." the nation. Christianity is not to be identified with capitalism and the spirit of capitalism must China needs new power that will regenerate be changed. Communism has some good ideas and life and will make men sufficiently honest and some strength. It is going to be a mustard plaster trustworthy. Where can you get this power? on the back of capitalism and capitalistic society We once believed education could do it. A states- to make people think. Many of us are like an man in England said, in 1840: "If we can put Englishman who never thinks until he feels a over compulsory education by the end of the cen- pain! If Christianity were rightly applied to coltury our problems will be solved." Compulsory lective life which would be allied to Communism education came – but their problems were not minus the class war, minus compulsion and masolved. Education is good, but it is not enough; terialistic atheism and plus the Spirit of Christit may make a man clever but does not make him then it might save China. At present, Christianunselfish; it may make him more of a rascal so ity and Communism are' bidding for the soul of that instead of stealing people's pennies he steals China. The Nanking Government is endeavoring millions. Professor John Dewey, of Columbia to suppress Communism in China by military University, went to China and when he returned force, but General Chiang Kai-Chek said to me: he said: "I really believe, after all, you mission- "The minute the force is withdrawn, Communism aries are probably working toward the right end." comes back for it is feeding on the discontent of Some power is needed to turn bad men into good the peasants. Military force is· not enough." men; selfish men into unselfish men. Education Communists are patiently teaching the students does not go deep enough to the roots of character in every university by a system called the "cell to change a man there. system." A missionary who was among a number of prisoners held captive by Communists, said There was a time when we thought Democracy that before they were freed they were put through would solve our problems. Today we have grown a course in Communism. Ordinary soldiers were tired of Democracy and are turning to dictators- then given an opportunity to come into the Comwhy? People say that Democracy is all right but munist army, or, if not, they were given Compeople haven't sufficient character to conduct a munist literature and sent home to scatter it. democracy as it should be conducted. Therefore we ask one man to do it and save us the responsi- We must be as devoted and faithful in spreadbility. Western civilization seems to have lost its ing Christianity as Communists are in spreading nerve, and has therefore turned to dictators. In their doctrines. Eight years ago it looked as if Ceylon when the people were given the suffrage the anti-Christian movement might sweep Chrisone woman dropped her ballot in the box and then tianity out of China; it did sweep many missionstood before it with folded hands· saying her aries out, and it almost seemed as though the prayer to the new god, the ballot box. There was work that had been built up with tears and a time when we folded our hands, but we know prayers would go down into ruin. But a few years now that everything depends on what you bring later the missionaries were back again. Christ
never knows defeat and the true Christian can- At the close of a meeting in India the chairman not give up the conflict as lost. The Christian said, "If what the speaker has said is not true, it movement today is stronger on account of having does not matter; but if it is true, then nothing stood against terrible and fierce opposition. The else matters." In the midst of this chaos of things anti-Christian movement has expended itself and there stands this figure of Jesus Christ. Most of left the Christian movement stronger than before. us have missed the way, as we showed in the In one place the Communist took Christian World War. Human society cannot long hold topreachers through the streets of a city to a place gether unless it is held together by the love of where they were going to execute them. They Christ. If we have enough Christianity to save promised to let them go if they would say they China, we have enough to save the whole Far were not Christians. But a pastor said: "I can East. do more for Christ dead than alive." A second man said, "I love my people and my country, and I believe that some day Jesus will go through I would like to live for it, but I love my Christ and through the hearts of the people of China. more, and though you kill me, I will not deny In the city of Tientsin, I met a wonderful Chris- Him." A woman jumped on the table and said, tian, a man who made me feel that he had strength "We need that kind of a man in China; a man and stability, that one could you trust. He was who has convictions and is ready to die for them." building up a new type of official who would go They let him off. A few months later, when the out unselfishly to serve China. I asked him the citizens chose three men to govern that city, that secret of courage and strength amid this chaos pastor was one of the three. and he told me that he was once the most discour- aged man in China. He said, "I saw my country The Answer of Ohrist sinking straight into ruin and knew that we had to have some regenerating power. I turned to China is a vast land in a state of great hesita- Confucianism, which they told us was the right tion. When I was in China a few years ago, the way; but I found Confucius teachings gave us no question they asked was: "Has Christianity any power. Finally I suggested that some of us who answer to our national, social and personal were recognized as leaders ought to commit suineeds ?" I could hear tramp, tramp, tramp for cide so as to shock the country into doing some- Communism, and I had to deal with actualities. thing." But before he did this he began to read Unless Christianity really works there is no need the New Testament and found there not only good talking. But we can stand in the midst of that teaching but power to make bad men become desperate situation and say, "Yes, thank God, if good; the impure become pure; hopeless men truly tried, Christianity does work, and we do not gain hope; there he found something regeneraknow anything else that will." But there is one tive. Instead of committing suicide that regenradiant Figure that stands confronting the situa- erating life of Jesus Christ entered his heart and tion-that is the Figure before whom we bow in darkness and shadows vanished. The man went reverence and love. Jesus Christ is making a straight out, not to commit suicide, but to serve supreme bid for the soul of China today. China, by bringing it into living contact with Christ. That is the type of man real Christianity In Canton, where the anti-Christian activity produces when Christ is given an opportunity. was strong, people could not get into my meetings unless they came before hand to the Y. M. C. A., Have you this living Power in your life? Stand gave name and address and obtained an admission back of us missionaries as we stand reaching out ticket. Nevertheless before I arrived, thirty-five our arms to these nations of the East. Do not hundred people had signed up. From July until continually call us back from our task to awaken December, I was speaking four times a day. On in you, at home, more missionary enthusiasm and the last night of the meetings when I asked for devotion. Stand back of us with your prayers and those who really wanted to give themselves to support. Every Christian ought to be interested Jesus Christ, one thousand signed the cards. One in the Cause we represent. thousand of the students, business and professional men decided to become Christians. A second thing I ask is that you give yourselves more completely to Christ. Many of you have What a challenge to the people of the West who lost your nerve and your radiance. Jesus C"9rist know Christ, to bring to these people the Gospel can come into your hearts and give you new life. of Jesus Christ. Have we enough courage and The modern theory is that a man can disregard strength to do it? If so, the nation can be saved. the laws of God and the love of God, if he likes. I see no other hope than in Jesus Christ. We But that is a false theory. Whatever you have must cease being apologetic for being Christians. been doing, lay all you are and have at the feet The time has come to say quietly, "I am a Chris- of Jesus Christ and He will cleanse and empower tian and am proud of it. Christ has all there is you and send you out a new creature to do mighty of me." wonders in His Name.
Comes to the Navajo*
By C. G. SALSBURY, M.D., Ganado, Arizona Superintendent of the Ganado Mission to the Nava;o Indians, conducted under the auspices of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
I T IS a strange contradiction that in the very supporting. They have now increased from 8,000 center of what we think of as enlightened and in 1869 to nearly 50,000. The main source of Christian America, there should be 25,000 their livelihood is sheep raising, while rug weav- square miles where people live in the rankest ing, silversmithing and the harvesting of pinon ignorance and superstition. Only about one in nuts also add substantially to the family income.
twenty of the Navajo Indians are Christian; the There are 13,000 Indian children of school age others are for the most part ignorant of God and on the Navajo Reservation but the Government full of superstition. Their "medicine men" still has provided school accommodations for only hold sway over many of the tribe and exert a about 7,000, leaving 6,000 who are neglected. Not powerful influence through their incantations and more than 20 % of the tribe can speak English charms. and most of them cannot read or write.
Long before Coronado or Cabeza de Vaca Three great problems add to the difficulty of blazed a trail through the Southwest, the "Dineh" doing organized work among the Navajos: or Navajos established their homes in the desert 1. The people are widely scattered. There is wastes of what is now northern Arizona and New not one good sized village or town in the whole Mexico. When I arrived on the Navajo Reserva- reservation. tion nine years ago, having spent twelve years on 2. The lack of good roads hinders communica- the Island of Hainan in the South China Sea, it tion and service. was a surprise to find a people with almost iden- 3. The language is a barrier to those who seek tical physical characteristics as the Hainanese, to help but cannot take the time to learn the Nav- and with many words in the two languages so ajo tongue. nearly alike that it seems that the two peoples must have had a common origin. In face of these difficulties five or six Protestant denominations are conducting work on the reser- The Navaj 0 Indian is not the stolid, unemo- vation.t tional creature that many writers and artists have pictured him. He has a keen sense of humor, an The Navajo country is a land of contrasts. appreciation for music and real love for his fam- Flat stretches of sand, supporting sagebrush and ily. They have always been a proud, independent saltweed and cacti, lead up to mountains with forand self-reliant people. During the late fifties ests of yellow pine or stretch off to distant mesas and early sixties of the last century, they were brilliant with color, to jagged buttes or to a courageous fighters and gave the American Gov- rugged mountain skyline. Eastern skies may be ernment so much trouble that Kit Carson was stormy, full of lightning and slanting lines of sent out with orders to "annihilate the perfidious distant rain while western skies are a calm, serene butchering Navajos." He did not annihilate them blue, the perfect augury for a beautiful summer's but brought them into subjection and, in 1864, day. about 10,000 were taken as prisoners to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. At the end of the four And roads! A true Easterner never saw anyyears, due to the ravages of disease and confine- thing like them. Two parallel tracks across the desert can scarcely be called a road. The road as ment, only about 8,000 Navajos were left. On t The Christian Reformed Church has a work centered at Rehtheir promising to live peaceably and in accord- bofoth~urNseesw. MeTxhiecro~ with a small hospital, a physician and a number ance with the treaty, these survivors were re- is also a boarding school for the lower eight turned to their old home – the Navajo Reserva- grades, and a community program carried on at difl'erent paints. tion. Since that time they have been at peace At Farmington the Methodists conduct a grade and Junior high with their neighbors and have been largely self- school. • Included in this material by Dr. Salisbury are a number of ex- The Baptists have a mission with a married mis·.Ionary at Keams tracts from articles by various authors that appeared In the Ganado Jfission Bu!!etin.-EDIToR. Canyon. A small hospital near Crown Point is conducted by the Seventh- Day Adventists. The Presbyterian Board of National Missions assumes responsi- bility for the greater share of the work being done on the Navajo Reservation in ArizOll9.. Missionaries are stationed at five govern- ment centers, while educational and medical work is located here at Ganado, the largest mission station for Indians in the United States.
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one saw it yesterday may have been a dry, sandy dens, and fine water supply. Ganado is constructrack, while today it may be a mudhole. Friday tive and is building for the future, with its school there may have been a bridge over that wash, but and hospital and its staff of consecrated men and on Saturday the rains may cause one to make a women of charm and intelligence. long· detour. The program of the mission is made up of four No contrast is greater than the difference in main lines of work: evangelistic, medical, educavarious types of people and their homes. At the tional, community and field service. Presbyterian Mission station at Ganado you see clean, neat and attractive school girls and boys; 1. Every worker at Ganado is first of all a there may be equally attractive girls and boys out- Christian evangelist – whether doctor, engineer, side the schools, but they usually are neither clean nurse, girl's director, teacher or farmer; each has a direct and intimate part in the Christian RED POINT-A FAMOUS NAVAJO MEDICINE MAN religious program of the station. We have a pas- tor, but others take part in the preaching services nor neat. Healthy, happy babies born in Ganado and prayer meetings. There is the regular Sunhospital lie beside pathetic little undernourished day school on Sunday morning, the preaching children from a distant Indian hogan (hut) . service at eleven, and in the afternoon the Gospel The neat two-room, windowed cabin of a Chris- Teams conduct services in camps and community tian Navajo woman stands in contrast to the centers in the district. The intermediate or junior windowless igloo-type hogan of her non-Christian high school Christian Endeavor meets each Sunneighbor. day at six o'clock and at seven the senior society and student nurses. At eight o'clock the whole A visitor is also impressed by contrast between staff gathers for the weekly staff meeting to hear Ganado and the surrounding desert. Ganado is reports and to discuss plans for futUre improvean oasis in the desert, beautiful with its green ment. God's guidance is earnestly sought to make lawns and blooming gardens, thanks to irrigation our service more effective. and hard work. The mission station is self-contained with its powerhouse, laundry, dairy,.gar- The hospital evangelist spends his full time in work among the patients and this has proved to be one of the most effective means of reaching the Navajos with the Gospel.
One of the doctors writes: Today there are two outstanding needs among the Nav- ajo people. The greatest is a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The other is an understanding of the opportuni- ties offered them by medical science. Few people can give much thought to the needs of the soul when their bodies are in distress. When Jesus was on earth he not only ministered to the sinful souls of men but to their bodily needs as well.
The medical missionary, with a heart full of the love of Jesus, his mind and hands trained in the art of medical science, has the privilege of obeying the last command of the Great Physician. One would think that a doctor, offer- ing himself to a people in need, would be much sought after, but in many cases the Indians are antagonistic be- cause of their strong belief in the medicine man. But there is a gradual turning away from superstitious beliefs.
The doctor's great opportunity is to live a Christian life among the people, ministering to their sick bodies. He can also make the sting of death less painful and can tell the Red man of the love of Christ and His wonderful offer of salvation for all who believe in Him.
The Mission field doctor, nurses and community workers seize every opportunity to bring Christ's love to barren, needy hearts. In the high school and in th~ dormitories we face the task of build- ing into the lives of these future leaders the ideals of true Christian citizenship. Unless our main emphasis is on the spiritual phase of our work, then we labor in vain. One soul won to Christ in Sage Memorial Hospital amply repays for all the money spent to build and equip and maintain the work all these years. Here is one instance:
CHRIST COMES TO THE NAVAJO
John McKerry was converted when he was a missionary work in that great untouched field patient in the hospital about two years ago. He where there are no roads on which one can travel spent much time in reading the Bible both in with an automobile.
There are no marble halls or terraced floors in Sage Memorial Hospital at Ganado but it is a well planned, businesslike hospital and its 80 beds are usually full; last winter we reached a record of 142 in-patients at one time. There is a staff of four physicians, a dentist, a technician, a dieti- tian; eight graduate and twenty-four student nurses who represent sixteen tribes or races. All are high school graduates, most of them are mis- sion school graduates, coming from homes as widely separated as California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nevada, Alaska and Arizona. They are not preparing to be nurses just because they Navajo and English and often asked to have pas- WILL HE BE A FUTURE LEADER?-A NAVAJO BOY sages explained to him in order that he might preach to his own people when he went back to want to do something different or to earn a livehis home in the northern part of the reservation. lihood, but because they have seen a vision of how John was soundly converted and now his home is they may serve Christ that way. Freedom-loving open to all who wish to come. He delights to tell natures sometimes chafe under the discipline and the Bible stories to them and tried to point them to Christ. He asks us to pray for him that his father may soon accept Christ.
One of the greatest problems in hospital evangelistic work is keeping in touch with those who have confessed Christ and have gone out to their own homes-away off to places where we cannot reach them readily. John can travel all over that part of the country on horseback preaching to his own people, in their own language, the message of salvation. He may also be able to do some real
hard work but stronger than the love of freedom ending with the twelfth grade. The high school is the love of the Great Physician, and the desire offers an academic course for those who wish to to have a share in His healing ministry. enter college or university and its graduates may Patients come to Ganado from far and near. enter the state university without examination. Some have never slept in a bed before; some have The larger number, who do not wish to take adnever before known the care of anyone but the vanced academic work, can take practical courses Indian medicine man. Often five or six medicine in farming and dairying, carpentry, power plant men themselves are in the wards for treatment operation and auto mechanics. The purpose is to and they are just as responsive to the kindly touch develop Christian leaders in the various profes- and the relief of suffering as anyone else. What sions and occupations and to inculcate the Spirit a contrast there is in the cleanliness, scientific of Christ with each lesson. In this way we instil skill and loving care given to the sick at Ganado the principles of Christianity..both by precept and and the treatment of the sufferers by the Indian example.
To care for the distinctly / religious training, there are Bible teachers on the faculty; but the instructors in secular subjects ,also use every op- portunity,.tp drive home the vital truths in the teachings ~QfChrist. Most important of all is the personal interest each teacher takes in her pupils. She seeks not only to imprc:>ve' their minds, and to raise their standard of living 'and improve their moral tone,but earnestly endeavors to win them to Christ.
The community and field activities of the Mis- sion are among the most important phases of the work. At Cornfields, a community center is main- tained with a white worker and interpreter. Here are facilities for bathing, laundering and sewing. Camp visitation, classes for children and various vocational projects are also carried on.
"Do the Indians appreciate your work among them?" is a question often asked by our white friends. Today we can say, "Yes, we know they do." For example: A few days after a serious fire at Cornfields, when our community station there was destroyed, we went to the Sunrise Trad- ing Post to buy a few needed things. About six- teen or eighteen Indians were standing about out- side the store.. While talking to some of them, the head Indian of the Cornfields Valley stood up and addressed the crowd in his native tongue. He told them that we had lost everything in the fire and medicine men! They claim to be able to .cure all said: kinds of diseases w. ith l.heir. rattles, sand paint- "They never refuse to come to our hogans when someone is ill or to take a sufferer to their hosings, prayers, songs an, chants. When a medi- pital; they never ask us if we are Protestant or cine man sings over a sillk one, the "sing" is held Catholic; they treat us all alike, and even care for in a hogan or Indian hut', and is a sort of incanta- our medicine men. Now they have lost everything tion to drive away the evlI spirit that causes the and we ought to show that we appreciate them. disease. When one is sick the medicine man must We are glad that they are not going to leave us." :tind out the cause and then certain songs are sung Then the judge stood up and repeated some of rotfor different symbols. A medicine man is paid the things mentioned by the headman. After that every ceremony, either in money or in sheep he took off his hat and put it on the ground asking or goats. In this way the people are being kept the Indians to make their contributions. We saw in darkness. silver money and tin, square and round, fall into the hat. God had touched the · hearts of these Training Mind and Hand At Ganado, Christian education is well rounded, brown friends to show us that our work has not beginning with the teaching of the alphabet and been in vain.
Essentially the same community program is When finally we walked into the hogan a wail from the carried on at Tselani by a graduate nurse and her cradle board lying by the fire showed that everything was interpreter, with even greater emphasis on health all right. There was nothing to do but start back, patch up the car, and return to the Mission. This is practicing medicine in the desert.
Whatever the activity, our great desire is that we may be of real service in bringing a great and neglected people to the feet of our Lord. It is as true among the Navajos as among any other peo- ple that the outstanding members of a community are, nine times out of ten, Christians who show by their lives that they have been born again. When conversion goes beyond the head and reaches a man's heart all things become new. This includes his outlook upon life, his attitude toward his family and his fellowmen, his attitude toward his animals and all his possessions, and his attitude toward his work.
One of our church members who lives some ten miles down the valley has a little farm. His main crop is corn. This brother depends upon the rain- fall to water his crop and he is not afraid of hard work. Every year he is envied by all around and about two years ago an attempt was made by non- NAVAJO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, GANADO MISSION instruction. The Mother's Meeting includes a cel- DR. SALSBURY AND TWO NAVAJO NURSES, GANADO ebration of the birthdays of children of whose birth we have record. We weigh and measure the Christian Indians to deprive him of some of his infants, and those who are old enough are re- land. One of the arguments against him was that warded with a few raisins. Then comes a health he was a Christian, and had more time than talk and a Gospel message. The importance of others to care for his crops because he never went keeping a record of the date of the child's birth is stressed, and in the Gospel message we refer to the birth of Jesus and our need for the "new birth."
Practicing medicine among the Navajos does not lack variety. Another of the doctors writes: A call came from Nozilini, 17 miles away, saying that someone was waiting at the trading post to guide us to a camp to attend a child-IaJor case. Mrs. Main, Dick Baldwin, an interpreter, and I left the Mission at 11 a. m. and arrived at the trading post at Nozilini after having traveled over some of the worst roads in the whole state. At the store we picked up our guide, a Navajo woman, who told us that we were to go about six miles "in that direction" (pointing with her lips). We went about two miles up the side of a mountain on a wagon trail, with occasional very steep inclines, but in manreuvering one particularly bad place, the center of the car dropped down on the solid rock and the wheels spun around. We must go on; so with medicine case in hand, we started up the hill on foot, going over rocks and ravines until we reached the top of the mountain where the snow was deep. After what seemed to be hours we came in sight of the hogan some 1,000 feet below us.
to the heathen sings and dances; therefore he not the way," said a little Navajo boy, shaking his ought to give some of his land to his neighbors. head as he watched the new white teacher place a miniature hogan in the sand box. "The door is When the Gospel of Christ enters the heart of wrong; it must always face the sunrise." He a Navajo it opens his eyes, it strengthens his knew the custom among his people. No hogan is hands and fills his heart with love. Can we say built whose low door does not face the rising sun. anything more of the white man who has had the Gospel for generations after generations? The Navajo may continue to build their hogans with the doors to the east, but their new hogans If you can dream and not make dreams your master will have windows with screens, and will contain If you can think and not make thoughts your aim, clean beds and a change of clothes. Even though the Indian boy may lay aside his athletic sweater If you can meet with triumph and disaster for a blanket when he returns to his people, it And treat those two imposters just the same. . . . does not mean that he will let lice nest in his hair or will send for a medicine man to wave feathers Kipling's "If's" are applicable to those who are over his baby that has fallen into the fire. The attempting to construct a program that will meet educated mothers may wear blankets but their the State's requirements for a standard school, that will fulfill the church's expectation in preparing the young people for life, that will satisfy NAVAJO VISITORS AT THE GANADO MISSION CHAUTAUQUA the business world's demands for efficiency, and babies will be clean and rosycheeked from proper that will create within the heart an urge for better care and wholesome food. homes and communities of cleaner living and purer thinking. The Indian is not a creature apart from the rest of humanity, but is one of God's children, with Such is our hope for Ganado, and toward that human problems and passions, with a body and goal our plans are being made and our efforts are mind and soul, all hungering and thirsting for the directed. Weare trying to meet the requirements best life of which he is capable. The door of the of the State in education and to make better citi- hogan, facing the rising sun, is symbolical of the zens by teaching the Indians to be honest, skilful door of hope, of faith, of opportunity for the Navworkers. We are also training interpreters who ajo nation – the greatest of all Indian tribes in will help to create better interracial understand- America. ing. In all our efforts to bring the best that modern civilization has to offer, we do not want the "Stir me, oh, stir me, Lord, I care not how, . Indian to lose the arts of his forefathers, either But stir my heart in passion for the world; native or acquired, so that we also offer work in rugweaving, basketry, pottery making, silver- Stir me to give, to go-but most of aUto pray, smithing and tanning. Stir, till the blood-red banner be unfurled.
If we build aright in this work for the Navajos **** we know that their future is assured. "That's Stir me to give myself so back to Thee, That Thou can'st give Thyself again thro' me."
BESSIE PORTER HEAD.
a Missionary Stopped at the
How Christ Found Senhor Fernando in Brazil ~- -"ifll;II==B;;;;Y;;;;R;;;;E;;;;V;;;;.;;;;AN=T;;;;O;;;;N;;;;I;;;;O;;;;H=.;;;;PE;;;;RP=E;;;;TU=O;;;;,;;;;D;;;;.D;;;;'==-I!
I N THESE days of unbelief and skepticism to- After marriage, he established a large cotton mill ward the Bible, it is the blessed privilege of near Rio-Feio and sixteen workmen from the vil- each Christian who has seen the power of God lage helped to operate the mill. The cotton was working in marvelous ways in the hearts of men, then carried on mule back some forty miles to a to give a personal testimony to the power of His railroad station.
precious Word. About forty miles from Rio-Feio was a mission- Brazil is the largest country in that great con- ary station, where there resided Mr. Landes,a tinent of South America, known to the missionary missionary after God's own heart. At four o'clock world as the "Neglected Continent." Near the on one of those afternoons in Brazil when the sun little village of Rio-Feio, in the state of Sao Paulo, poured down hot rays, there came a missionary, lived Sr. Fernando, the subject of this narrative. Mr. Kyle, traveling along the dusty highway.
Education without Christ is apt to become a Senhor Fernando, the infidel, was busily engaged curse to the individual and to the world. Sr. directing the workmen as they bailed the cotton, Fernando was the son of a lawyer and received a in front of the mill. He was working with all the good education in the finest school of Rio de fervor of a man trying to satisfy the hunger of Janeiro. Because of this intellectual preparation, his soul by heaping up treasures upon earth.
he was led to reject the superstitious forms of Soon the traveler's steps led him nearer to Rio- worship which prevailed in that country and Feio, and the missionary approached the cotton which still hold chained in darkness there and in mill. With weary feet but happy heart at the op- other parts of the world, three hundred million portunity of offering a hungry man the "Bread of souls. One illustration will be sufficient to show Life," Mr. Kyle addressed the atheist.
how utterly foolish were their superstitions and "Sir," said he, "I would like to show you one of why their forms of worship were rejected by the my Bibles which is the Word of God."
young man, as being unreasonable and so inade- Instantly the atheist was filled with the old quate to save anyone. hatred toward God and the Church, and he re- From a little railroad station, in the state of plied to the servant of God in a torrent of insult- S. Paulo, there was a path that led to a small ing words. The missionary was about to depart chapel- the shrine "Da Aparecida," meaning when the atheist saw the sorrow and disappoint- "The One Who Appeared." The path to the chapel ment in his eyes, and noticed that his shoes and was usually lined with beggars, most of whom clothing were covered with dust. Senhor Fer- were lepers and begged alms from "penitents" nando's heart was filled with human sympathy for that passed by. The women came to worship at the tired stranger and, disgusted with his own the shrine, while the men came to gamble in tents impetuous and uncalled for outburst of anger, he near by. Within the chapel there was an image asked the traveler to go into the house and rest of "Virgin," which, according to the tradition of before resuming his journey.
the church, had fallen from heaven in that place The remainder of the afternoon Senhor Fer- where the chapel was built. On the walls of that nando continued to direct the workmen at the chapel could be seen the arms, legs and other mill, but at six the day's work was ended and the parts of the body made of wax, placed there by atheist went into his house where he found the worshipers as a testimony to the curative power stranger asleep on the floor of his office. When he of that image! awoke, refreshed, the evening meal was served.
Senhor Fernando, a cultured and intellectual As they conversed together, the missionary said man, could not accept these and other teachings to the Master of the house: of the Church of Rome and, knowing no other "Sir,I was looking over the books in your office form of worship, he became an atheist. and did not find a Bible such as I am carrying Though educated and trained for a physician, with me, so I am leaving one for you."
he had to give up this career, because of ill-health. Though pressed to remain over night, the ( 81 ]
stranger said that he must hasten on and dis- away the sin of the world." "Night," for Senhor tribute more Bibles before the shadows of the Fernando, had gone and the dawn broke into the night closed down upon him. The atheist watched full light of day. He became a new creature in the missionary disappear in the distance and then Christ Jesus! A wonderful miracle had been returned to his office and opened the book which wrought in his heart. the stranger had left. A little over a year ago Sr. Fernando went to He began to turn the leaves until his eyes fell be with the Lord but before he went he often spoke upon the first verse of the first chapter of the of that night with the servant of God. He used Gospel according to John. Then began to read: to say that his experience was similar to that joy- ous experience recorded in Luke, of those two In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with disciples walking to Emmaus, accompanied sud- God, and the Word was God. The same was in the oegin- denly by a Stranger, and who "said one to anning with God. All things were made by Him and with- other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while out Him there was nothing made that was made. In Him he talked with us by the way, and while he opened was life; and the life was the light of men. And the to us the Scriptures1'" Sr. Fernando and his light shineth in darkness; and the darkness compre- household believed, and were baptized the next hendeth it not. . . . That was the true light which day by Sr. Braga. lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the Persecution followed this new servant of God. world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and his Sr. Fernando began to share the Glad News with own received Him not. But as many as received him to all his friends and neighbors. Fearless toward them gave he the power to become the sons of God, the priest and to the traditions of the Roman even to them that believe on His name, which were born, Church, he went to the priest to tell him of the not of blood, nor of the will of man but of God. . . . wonderful Gospel of salvation, as found in the Book. The priest became enraged, and with up- As Sr. Fernando read these inspired words, the raised hands said that the laws of the Church Spirit of God was softening his rebellious heart. forbade anyone to possess a Bible; he declared There was a peculiar fascination in this book, that his orders must be obeyed absolutely without such as he had never seen before in any other argument or explanation. He denounced Senhor book. Eagerly he read on and on, chapter after Fernando as an heretic and ordered him to give c.hapter, far into the night. With the first faint over the Book to be burned publicly. But the new rays of morning, the light of the Gospel began to disciple of Christ would not give the Book and shine for him. Not returning to his work, he returned home more eager than ever to preach spent the whole day reading, sometimes in the Old the new-found Gospel. His listeners increased in and sometimes in the New Testament. The work- numbers and they secured an empty hall in the men and the wheels of the cotton mill went on village, where Rev. Braga was to preach. The without the master of the house to direct them. priest summoned other priests and followers, made them intoxicated, and they stoned the meet- Senhora Gabrielle, the devoted and affectionate ing house and broke up the service. That night, wife, became anxious. As each succeeding sleep- the same mad, intoxicated crowd surrounded the less night came and went, her anxiety deepened house of Senhor Fernando, throwing stones, firing for fear that insanity might have touched the guns and making threatening marks on the outmind of her husband. Even the little daughter of side of the house with their knives. Each night three, and the still more inquisitive little boy of they set guards so that no one could come in or go five, whose name was Antonio, grew troubled out. The fences were broken down; the cattle when they saw the father neglecting them and and the horses were driven away; the fruitful his work from day to day, engrossed in the new tropical orchard was cut down. book which the stranger had left. The workmen in the cotton mill proved faithful Finally, after two weeks, as is the custom in to the master of the house, and came with their some missions, other workers followed up the trail guns and ammunition, stationing themselves at of the first missionary. Mr. Landes, accompanied the doors and windows, ready to defend the soby Mr. Braga, father of the well-known minister, called heretic and his family. A most vivid im- Erasmo de Carvalho Braga, came traveling the pression of those two weeks was left on the mind, same dusty road, under the same Brazilian sun. as the little boy, Antonio, remembered his moth- As they aproached the home of Senhor Fernando, er's face; that look of anxiety and great fear, unlike the reception given to the first missionary, mingled with tears as they waited for the end. Mr. Landes was warmly welcomed into his home. Provisions became low until they were without The host lost no time in putting the Bible into the food. Mr. Braga, the faithful missionary, did not hands of Mr. Landes, and the servant of God ex- forsake them, and after prayer, he went early in plained that he had come for the very purpose of explaining the message of that Book. Late into the night these two men talked together, the minister pointing to the "Lamb of God that taketh the morning to seek food in another village. He The father reflected for a moment and then was at the hazard of his life, but he knew that said: the same God who could work such a miracle in Sr. Fernando could perform another miracle to "That is so my son. . . . I will give my consent, save his life. All roads leading out of the village if your mother will agree to it." After the mothwere guarded, but when Mr. Braga came upon er's consent was obtained, with money sufficient four guards, they were sleeping. So he succeeded for only a few days after his arrival in the great in obtaining the necessary provisions and on his city of S. Paulo, Antonio started out to prepare return he found them asleep again. for his life work. His plan was to get some work in the city and in the odd moments take up his Finally, the mob sent word that the house would studies at Mackenzie College. The work he found be burned and their lives forfeited if they re- was of such nature that he did not have any time mained. The priest provided a horse for each of left for studies. He went down to his knees to the grown persons if they would leave early the ask his heavenly Father to come to his rescue in next morning while it was still dark, taking no opening the necessary doors. possessions with them. Very early the next day the little family arose, bade adieu to their posses- At about this time Antonio made the acquaintsions, mounted the horses and rode away. ance of a devoted young man of about his own age, Philip Landes, now a missionary in Brazil. *** He was a student-teacher at Mackenzie College. These two congenial souls, who loved the Lord, Years passed-years full of hardships and per- became very close friends and spent many evesecutions but always with the joy of the Lord in nings together in fellowship and prayer. One their hearts. Forced from one place to another, day when this boy was out in one of those torren- Sr. Fernando left in each place a little group of tial rains characteristic of tropical countries, an believers that developed in later years in organ- old gentleman crossing the street slipped on the ized churches. wet pavement and fell on his knees ~and side. Antonio hastened to help him up, taking him to The little lad, Antonio, grew to manhood and the dental office where he was employed. Here came to the United States where he prepared to the man washed his hands and brushed his be a minister of the Gospel. clothes. Then the old gentleman, with thanks on his lips, went his way and the incident was for- How He Cares for the Travelers gotten for the time.
Prayer is the key that unlocks the doors before One evening Antonio and his friend Philip were the spiritual traveler. As said the evangelist, talking together about the possibility of an open- D. L. Moody: "Elijah had such a faith that he ing for study at Mackenzie College when Philip could lock the windows of heaven by prayer and said, "Why don't you go tomorrow and ask the carry the key in his pocket for three years and six vice-president of the College if there is a place months. No rain came until he took out that key where you may be able to study and work your and asked God to open those windows again." way through college, as I am doing. In the United States many young men do that sort of thing." A great student found in the Bible, exclusive of So the next morning, at the office of Mackenzie the poetical books, 667 direct personal prayers for College, a timid young man confronted the vicespecific things, and 454 answers to these pray~s. president, a man of very austere outward appear- The writer desires to give a personal testimony ances. He was tall, his hair was long and almost to God's faithfulness in answering the prayers reaching his shoulders; he had a very sharp proand petitions of His children also today. file and was wearing thick large glasses. His clothes fitted loosely on his tall, bony frame, and One day ten years or so after his conversion, as he looked at the timid young fellow before him, Sr. Fernando's eldest son, Antonio, came to him he said: "And what can I do for you?" The boy and said: told of his desire to study, and confessed that he had no money but would work in payment for his "I desire to go away to college and prepare my- education. The vice-president frowned and inself for God's work." quired if there were any letters of recommenda- tion. "None" was the prompt reply. "Mr. Landes "That is all very well, son," Sr. Fernando re- knows me slightly" was added with hesitation. plied, "but you know that in persecution we have The man pondered for a while and then added, lost all the means we had and I am not able to "Your face is not a very good recommendation for help you now." you and it is just as well that you do not have any "Yes, father," replied the son, "but have you not been teaching us that if we ask anything in Jesus' name that is according to God's will, He will grant that petition? I believe that somehow the Lord will open the way for me." recommending letters because I have taken some yes, thousands of students to a higher life of servhere with a large number of letters of recom- ice, and led many of them to know the Lord Jesus mendation and they turned out to be disappoint- Christ. During the following years many were ments. You are the first one that ever came here the difficulties overcome because the Lord opened without any recommendation whatever. That doors in answer to prayer. We tell only one more makes me wish to try you. You must see my fa- instance where His grace was sufficient to the boy ther, however, because he is the president and will who dared to take God at His word. have the last word to say on the subject." He turned to his desk and wrote something on a piece It was during the young man's first month at of paper and told the lad to take it to the president Princeton Seminary. Because of ill health, caused of the College, Dr. Lane. So, with a prayer in his by ptomaine poisoning contracted on ship, his heart the young man went across to Dr. Lane's doctor advised him to have an operation perhouse and knocked at the door. If the son was so formed. He went to New York and made argruff what about the father? Under that gruff- rangements to have the operation performed ness he later discovered a helpful and affectionate during the Christmas vacation of 1909. One probheart. A young lady came to the door, Miss Fanny lem arose – the ever-present question of money. Lane-daughter of Dr. Lane-and inquired what All his expenses in the hospital would amount to he wanted. When the lad answered that he had about $150.00 but he did not have much more a message for Dr. Lane, she replied, "Father is than that to defray his expenses during the year very busy and nervous today – may I give him at the Seminary. So he took the problem to his your message?" At that moment a voice like a Father in prayer. roar came from within, "Let him come in, I have just a moment for him." Under a gruff exterior One week before he left for the hospital, the there was a heart of gold and Dr. Lane later be- little church of McCuchenville, in Ohio, where he came a firm friend of the young man. There, had testified many times to the power of God, seI1t seated by a desk was a man about sixty years old, him a check of $25.00 as a Christmas present alof medium height, stocky build, looking more like though they knew nothing of the operation. Two a judge than a physician, more like a minister or three days before his start for the hospital in than an educator. He looked fixedly at the young New York, some one left $125.00 in an envelope man before him until his gaze made the lad un- inside the door of his room as a Christmas prescomfortable. Then he said, without reading the ent but those who sent these gifts never knew anynote: thing about the operation. Being a newcomer to the Seminary, Antonio had not as yet made close "Are you not the young man who, when I fell friends to whom he would reveal personal the other day in the street, helped me into Dr. matters. Norris' office?" But that was not all. After the operation was "Yes," said the boy, "I remember helping some- performed and the time required was spent in the body." hospital- about fifteen days – under the best of care, he came down to the office to pay the bill. "I was that 'somebody,''' said Dr. Lane, read- To his amazement he was told that his bill was ing the note. Finally he said, "Yes, tell Rufus paid and they would not reveal the name of the (the vice-president) to find a place for you; if one who had paid it. That is a good commentary there is no place tell him to make one. . . ." Then on' Ephesians 3: 20: ". . . he is able to do exhe added, "Tell him to make you my secretary." ceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. . . ." The person that paid that hospital So the young man became Dr. Lane's errand bill may have been that great young servant of boy, a position which Dr. Lane dignified by call- God, William W. Borden ("The Borden of Yale"). ing him his secretary. He was the only visitor that the young man had while in the hospital and they were classmates in Thus the Lord opened the way for the lad to the Seminary. study in Mackenzie College and, with the fellowship of young Landes, those became days of great It may be well to pass on to any young person blessing. who may read these lines, the advice that Sr. Fer- nando gave to his son, as he accompanied him to After leaving Mackenzie College, through the the statioD just before the young man left home advice of his friend Philip Landes, Antonio left for the last time. "Son," said he, "silver and' gold Brazil and went to the United States to further I have none to give you, but one thing I have done, prepare for the Lord's work. When he arrived at I have pointed you to the Lord. That will prove Wooster College in Ohio, he had only five dollars better to you than much riches. Keep close to in his pocket, but God was with him and that was Him and you will lack nothing that you may better than a million dollars. At the station he need." The son has found it so. was met by Professor John Howard Dickerson, a wonderful man of God, who inspired hundreds, What one pilgrim has experienced, everyone life. Then the Christian life becomes the most may have. F. B. Meyer tells us how the blessing melodious music to the eternal ears of God. of God's presence in its fulness came to him. He says: "Sixteen years I was a minister in Midland THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER town in England, not at all happy, doing my work for the pay I got, but holding a good position 'Twas battered, scarred, and the auctioneer amongst my fellows. Hudson Taylor and two Thought scarcely worth his while young students came into my life. I watched them. They had something I had not. Those To waste his time on the old violin young men stood there in all their strength and But held it up with a smile. joy. I said to Charles Studd: 'What is the difference between you and me? You seem so happy, "What am I bidden good people," he cried, and I somehow am in the trough of the wave.' He "Who will start the bidding for me? replied: 'There is nothing that I have got which you may not have, Mr. Meyer.' But, I asked: A dollar, a dollar! now two only two; 'How am I to get it?' " Two dollars and who'll make it three?
"Well," he said, "have you given yourself right Three dollars once, three dollars twice; up to God?" Going for three?" but no!
"I winced. I knew that if it came to that, there From the room far back, a gray-haired man was a point where I had been fighting my deepest Came forward and picked up the bow, convictions for months. I lived away from it, but when I came to the Lord's table and handed out Then wiping the dust from the old violin the bread and wine, then it met me; or when I And tightening up the strings, came to a convention or meeting of holy people, something stopped me as I remembered this. It He played a melody pure and sweet, was one point where my will was entrenched. I As sweet as an angel sings. thought I would do something with Christ that night which would settle it one way or another. The music ceased and the auctioneer And I met Christ" . . . and so he goes on to tell With a voice that was quiet and low how he came into full fellowship with Christ and the joy that became his after that. But he did Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?" not gain the victory until he had consecrated all And he held it up with the bow. of his life to Him. So that is the secret of "Victory with God." Every pilgrim may have this vic- "A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two, tory if He allows the master full control over his Two thousand, and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice; And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We don't quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply, "The touch of a master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune And battered and torn with sin, Is auctioned cheap to thoughtless crowd Much like the old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, A game, and he travels on.
But the master comes and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand- The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the touch of the master's hand.
NATIVE ABILITY IN PREACHING Even though a white man may have been born in the country and may have grown up with the natives as I happen to have done, yet he cannot fully grasp the native ways of think- ing nor can he put things in the way that appeals to them. I have been greatly impressed lately with the clear and forceful illustrations natives can use, illustrations which sometimes (without any careful explanation) would be quite obscure to a white man but which pour a flood of light on the native mind. . . .
I was listening to a native preaching with great earnestness and power. He was trying to show the evil of the natural heart and that it was not so much God Who had cast out the sinner as it was the sinner who was rejecting God, and he suddenly shouted out the word "Mungazi"! The people looked startled and then a dawn of comprehension appeared on their faces. .
After the preacher had finished, I asked him to explain what mungazi meant. He re- minded me of a huge parasitical fruit which grows like a large pumpkin on the trunk and near the top of high trees. This fruit is called mungazi. It attains a huge size, sometimes weighing fifteen pounds. Then it slowly rots at the heart.
Eventually it begins to lose its hold on the parent tree and in distress calls out, "Kanda wa ngumbake!" (Oh, don't let me go!) The parent tree replies, "I am not letting you go; it is you who are so rotten that you are letting go of me." And then, crash! down falls the mungazi. The moral, now that I have explained it, is quite obvious, but to the native, it was only necessary to say the word and the point the preacher wanted to elucidate became per- fectly clear.-Rev. W. Singleton Fisher, in "Congo Mission News." .
Issues in
i –e§f By DR. JUAN ORT GONZALEZ, Madrid, Spain I~.- ~I ==============================~ O UTSIDERS, pondering the terrible loss of In view of this wide difference in these ideals life and property caused by the present and in programs, it is not surprising that most civil war in Spain, are apt to overlook the Protestants of Spain, including ministers and layvital national issues which are at stake in that men, foreign and national workers, as well as bloody struggle. The life-and-death nature of the many liberal and highly cultured Roman Cathwar now being waged, for all those who follow the olics, are opposed to General Franco and his assolead of the Government, was expressed a few ciates in the Rebellion. months ago in the Spanish Congress by its President, Martinez Barrio, when he said: It may be asked, If the Central Government is not opposed to religion, why have the Madrid "We prefer to die standing up for our ideals forces burned so many churches and convents, and than to live kneeling before a military dictator." why have priests and friars been killed or put in Definitely distinct ideals in politics, economics, jail? If it is not "Red," then why are some of education and religion are held by the two op- its ministers Communists and Marxists?
posing sides in Spain's civil war. Those held by The best evidence that the Government is not the government of Madrid, which just now has its opposed to religion in general is that the Protesheadquarters in Valencia, may be briefly stated as tant churches have not been disturbed in terrifollows: tory under its control. In the Basque Provinces, In religion, absolute freedom and complete separation which have remained loyal to the Government, the of church and state. Roman Catholic Church is as free as before. In regions where the Government has acted differ- In politics, the establishment of a federal republic sim- ently, it is because bishops, priests and friars have ilar to that of the United States, ruled by the majority sided with the Rebels. Churches have been dein both central and regional governments. stroyed where cannon and ammunition were found in them or where they have been fortified and used In economics, a better distribution of wealth and higher as Rebel strongholds. wages for workers. (Those previously existing in Spain have been the lowest pa:d in Europe.) These measures It is reported that General Franco's soldiers are to be based on the constitution of the country and not have killed Protestant ministers and Catholic on any communistic theory. priests, have imprisoned the Catholic Bishop of the Basque Provinces; and have put in jail friars In education, the aim is to wipe out the prevailing and nuns who were loyal to the Madrid governilliteracy which has been the shame of every cultured ment. Spaniard, and the establishment of "La Escuela Unica" (one school for all classes). While there are members of the Spanish cab- inet who are Marxists, Syndicalists or Commu- General Franco, the leader of the Fascist or nists, these men have been chosen to help the war Rebel Party, has promised that the Roman Cath- against Fascism, and they have given their promolic Church shall have even greater power than ise not to use their official position to promote she has enjoyed during the last decades of the marxism, syndicalism or communism. monarchy. .Many believe that this will involve the suppression or rooting-out of Protestantism, The Outlook for Religious Liberty the dissolution of Masonic lodges; and the expulsion of Jews.
In politics, it is believed that a rebel victory will be followed by a military dictatorship for at least If the Government wins the present war, we be- five years. . lieve that the country will enjoy complete reli- In economics, it is expected that there will be gious liberty. Government leaders have assured a nullification of the agrarian laws of the Re- me that the expression in the Constitution, "a lay public which aimed at a better distribution of Republic,'~ does not imply irreligion or o~cial land. There will probably be also restoration of atheism. Those words only guarantee equal free- rights and privileges which great landlords en- dom to all moral religions, with special privilege joyed during the monarchy. to none.
Education, many think, will again be put largely If the Rebel forces win, I see no hope for true in the hands of Roman Oatholic friars and nuns. religious freedom. The following statement has [ 86 ]
CONFLICTING ISSUES IN SPAIN
just come from a Spanish Christian evangelist: civil war started. Sayings of Christ and other "General Franco's regime would mean the re- passages of the New Testament are quoted in newal of the claim, 'One nation, one church'-a these papers repeatedly, largely to demonstrate statement made by General Queipo de Llano." In the fact that the Roman Catholic hierarchy is not Cordoba, the chief of the Rebel forces said to the really Christian, because its conduct is out of har- Protestants, "Leave Spain, or you will all lose mony with the teachings of Christ. your heads." For half a year before leaving Spain, my work The Central Government still controls more in Newspaper Evangelism brought me hundreds than half of the Spanish territory of the penin- of inquiries from all classes of persons. These sula, including the regions that are most produc- included four Catholic priests, and many teachers, tive in agriculture and industry, with about two- professors and lawyers, though by far the larger thirds of the twenty-four millions population. number came from Marxists and Communists. Statistics published in September, while I was in My experiences in this connection, together with Barcelona, showed that more than seventy-five per the results obtained from the thirty-five articles cent of the registered automobiles of the country published, have convinced me that the majority were in the hands of the Government. of Spaniards who regard themselves as unbeliev- ers are opposed rather to the Roman Catholic The regions that are poorer in agricultural and Church and her superstitions than to the true industrial production, as well as less densely pop- Gospel of Christ as revealed in the New Testaulated and less cultured, such as Old Castille and Extremadura are in the hands of the Rebels. ment. Galicia, although now in their hands, gave a large The greatest opportunity for evangelistic work majority to the Government in the general national election of February, 1936, and when it in Spain in the near future is offered by the attivoted for autonomy. The same is true of the tude of millions of nominal Catholics, who are dis- Canary Islands. gusted with the hierarchy of their church. The bishops have been found to possess huge private General Franco has fought his most successful fortunes, while multitudes go hungry; relics, battles not so much with native Spanish soldiers which the people had been taught to venerate as as with the help of from forty to fifty thousand "incorruptible bodies of saints," have been found Moors and fifteen thousand foreign legionnaires. to be made of wood and stuffed with ashes. As a It is reported that he is now asking Germany for result many Spaniards feel ashamed to be called sixty thousand soldiers to help him win the war. Catholics. This is the attitude of many of the lower clergy, of lawyers, and of many highly cul- Religious Problem for the Future tured laymen.
From the establishment of the Republic in If the Government wins the war and if a Spain, a campaign against religion was conducted national campaign of evangelization is then conby the Anti-God Society, but instead of gaining ducted, presenting the Gospel of Christ as Protground, the movement has lost impetus. Al- estants understand it, aided by newspaper evanthough the militia is largely composed of Marx- gelism and radio talks, the Evangelical leaders of ists, syndicalists, anarchists and communists, the Spain have well-grounded hopes that the new leading Spanish newspapers of those groups have Spain which will emerge from the present strugshown more respect for religion than before the gle will exhibit a receptive attitude towards Christ and His Gospel.
REQUISITES OF THE MODERN MISSIONARY 1. He must be missionary-minded, with a spiritual purpose and ideal, no matter what his special work may be.
2. He must be sure of the Gospel, realizing that its unique value and its universal application for salvation.
3. He must be educated and prepared, an effective public speaker and personal worker; a man who is wanted in his own land.
4. He must be one who can get along with people – good, bad, and indifferent. I 5. He must have the spirit of John the Baptist as toward Christ: i. e., "He must increase, 1 but I must decrease." II 6. He must have an undying zeal for service.
7. He must be a man of prayer.
8. He must be a living exemplification of the things that abide: faith, hope and love. This means self-control. I ~
Chinese Spend Sunday in
-~ ii By the REV. JAMES P. LEYNSE, Peiping, China I r.l<-o- ~i-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~ W E INVITE you to come and spend a Sun- A Ohildren's Sunday School day with us in the Presbyterian Mission, Peiping, where Chinese evangelists and At 8: 30 a. m., the church bell rings again, this volunteer church workers cooperate with the missionaries in a variety of activities. It is a picture time for the children's Sunday school. There are of mission work in miniature. six Sunday schools with an average attendance of At the Early Morning Watch 400 children in the Presbyterian Mission. The At seven o'clock the church bell rings for the Morning Watch. Most of those who attend are rows of round-faced little pieces of humanity, each earnest soul workers, desiring to begin the day with a season of united prayer. For these Chinese with two eyes like black marbles, are taught by Christians the days are passed when superstition led them to bow down before a shrine at home for volunteer church leaders, students of our mission they have exchanged idol worship for prayer and Bible reading. But some have not yet succeeded schools, and missionary ladies. The Chinese chilin having all the idols cast out of their homes. There is, for instance: dren have very few opportunities to come together Mrs. Chao, a little woman toddling on unbound and so naturally they are keenly interested in the but broken feet, who always comes to the Morning Watch. She is still patiently enduring the Sunday school. The average child has never had Kitchen God of her mother-in-law in the corner of her kitchen. a birthday party, a picnic, a summer outing, or a Mr. Li, wholesale seller of sesame cakes, has a week-end visit, although he may have been to a neglected dusty shrine of the God of Wealth in his factory, placed there by his old father. temple fair and heard occasionally a story-teller And Mrs. Ho, the teacher, who lives with her in his courtyard. Some of the boys and girls are five sisters-in-law in one family home, under the superintendence of grandparents, parents, an true soldiers of Jesus Christ and have succeeded uncle and six respective husbands, has a dilapidated idol of the God of Earth in her two-room in driving the idols away from their homes. dwelling, another idol in the gateway, and a large picture of all the gods of heaven and earth in the A few months ago Lofty Aim, though only living room. All are kept there to please the grand old lady of the family. eleven years old, persuaded his parents to discard their idols. With his own pennies he hired a rick- sha, loaded it with the dusty images, labeled them "unwanted," sat on top of the load and took them back to the temple.
Little Pear Blossom, a girl of ten, led her moth- er to our women's meetings, and later on, upon her constant urging her father attended a series of our revival meetings. She kept on inviting Gospel Teams to yisit her home and as a result her par- ents have joined a Bible class. .
A Glimpse of the Ohurch Services Shortly before 11 a. m. several bells ring for church service.
In the north and west sections of Peiping, Sun- [88 ] AN EVANGELISTIC MEETING AT PEKING GOSPEL HALL day services are held in three Presbyterian revival m.eetings, church gatherings, prayer meetchurches, at Truth Hall school, the architectural ings, women's enterprises, Bible classes, lay-leadschool, the school of engineering, in the home of ers' training classes and cottage meetings, held at a church member, and in a room outside the all seasons of the year. Peace Gate. Each Sunday morning 300 to 400 men and women, in cotton or silk garments of Church members have opened their homes for dull blue, black and grey, fill the church which is weekly evangelistic meetings so as to win their located almost in front of our house. The ma- neighbors to Christ. Relatives, friends and neighjority of these people have been won from the bors are especially invited and while Chinese outside community as the students of the schools evangelists lead these meetings, the people themworship in their own student church. selves witness to their new-found joys and power in the service of Jesus Christ. At all our meetings, volunteer lay-leaders hold the chief place. In America a professional min- Mrs. Yeh was recently won to Christ at one of istry may seem essential, but in our field the lim- these home meetings. As a result she suffered a ited resources and great needs have not made that great deal of persecution, and was locked up by practical, even if it seemed best. For four years her husband to prevent her from attending "the the city churches have done without mission-paid Christian devil meetings." But prayer and papastors and evangelists, as those on the mission- tience brought victory to her. paid staff devote their efforts to the unevangelized regions. Our city churches are not yet ready to Mrs. Wang, who once had a special bolt made call their own pastors. In the meantime I am in- for the gate of her house to prevent our Chrisvited to give advice at committee meetings and tians from visiting her, now goes around to spread assistance at the various church services. The the Glad Tidings at various neighborhood gathemphasis at all meetings is upon spiritual things. erings. The message, always from the sacred Scriptures, is direct as an arrow and finds quick response in In the Street Gospel Halls the hearts of listeners. The majority of our Christians are won from A widespread interest in reaching the masses the darkness of superstition to the light of Jesus has been developed and there are many crowded Cht:ist in our two city chapels. Five evenings a week the Evangel is preached in these halls which are located at two business centers. Often an
evangelistic meeting, a Bible class, a children's fore heard the Gospel or even saw a Bible. One meeting, and the English night school for busi- day aimlessly walking about he drifted into our ness boys and girls are going on at the same time. Gospel Chapel and the message struck home. He joined a Bible class, studied the Word and became l1i the morning and afternoons the places are used converted. Long before he was baptized he took his stand with those who proclaim the saving for women's meetings, Bible classes, and a school knowledge of Jesus Christ and tasted the joy of for poor children. At one of these street halls bringing souls to the foot of the Cross. twelve gatherings of a purely evangelistic nature are held each week. Our Adult Sunday School Among the many converts won this year at In the main hall of the church, at 12: 15 p. m., these chapels is Mr. Shen, a former magistrate. the adult Sunday school meets with missionaries and Chinese volunteer workers doing the teach- ing. At these Sunday school classes we learn to know the intimate problems of the Chinese. Worthy Aim attended faithfully but no one sus- pected that behind his calm countenance there were tales of persecution and opposition. His fa- ther, a clerk in the office of the Buddhist Lama monastery, objected fiercely to his son becoming a Christian. He scolded him, reviled him, beat him, locked him up, refused him food and cursed him. But quietly Worthy Aim read his Bible and redoubled his prayers. Seeing this, the father be- came "almost persuaded." He arranged a mar- riage for his young son to a young lady whom he had never seen before and Worthy Aim persuaded his father to invite us to hold a service at his wedding. While there the father consented to his son joining the church. He even attended the church service when later his son was baptized.
A STREET SCENE IN PEIPING The Grip of Opium Attracted by the singing, he entered the hall. Every day we see evidences that China is in Then the message aroused him, and evening after need of a great nation-wide spiritual uplift. Mulevening he returned. Later he stayed for the titudes of the Chinese are in the grip of opium aftermeeting and enrolled as an inquirer. "The and everywhere we note signs of the fact that eyes of his heart" were gradually opened to his narcotics are eating away the vitality of the peosins, and one day he yielded to Christ as his ple. At testimonial and report meetings we are Saviour and became a changed man. He has now often deeply moved by the tales of grave demordeveloped into an ardent personal worker who alization that tears at the heart of old and young, often is found witnessing in the Gospel Halls. men and women. Many turn to the church in the hope of finding freedom from their bondage. Another outstanding result of this work is Mr. Chang, formerly a military officer, who never be- Mr. Glorious Purpose Wang is one of those who, through the power of prayer, recently es- caped the clutches of the opium devil. He lost his position and gambled away his possessions. His wife left him and his children were taken to the homes of his relatives. Then one day one of our evangelists brought him to a revival meeting. At first Glorious Purpose was too dazed to understand what the Gospel was all about, but graduaHy his heart opened and one evening after kneeli~g down at the platform he arose a changed man. I A Gos- pel team took interest in him, helped him fight the power of the opium habit, and led him step by step to complete victory.
HOW CHINESE SPEND SUNDAY IN PEIPING
ROY CHAPMAN ANDREWS TRU9K USED TO TRANSPORT EVANGE'LISTS TO MEETING PLACES Volunteer Chinese Workers among people of their own social standing, they illustrate their simple Gospel message by a vital Each Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, groups personal experience of God's saving grace. It of volunteer workers go from the church to hold always impresses the people that without material meetings. Almost every afternoon, usually under renumeration these workers enthusiastically try brilliant sunlight with the fine grey dust of the to win souls for Christ. Sometimes they preach streets as pavement, Gospel Teams of volunteer in a very informal setting, while the family vischurch workers go over the city to hold religious ited takes their meal alongside a traveling kitchen, gatherings in homes, courtyards, factories and which a coolie of "Bitter Strength" has carried shops. For years I have given close attention to into the open courtyard, stove and all, by a bamtraining Chinese Christians into a force willing boo pole slung over his shoulder. Sometimes the and able to lead people to Jesus Christ, and in family gathers in the parental living room for a this way to make each church member into an more formal gathering, together with the sons, ardent evangelist. The Chinese come to our home daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, who all live for counsel at all hours of the day, mealtimes in- in the parental enclosure. At other times the cluded. There we share our experience, knowl- neighbors are invited in, forming quite a goodedge, hopes and aspirations. Last year after a sized audience. series of revival meetings, led by the famous Chinese evangelist, Dr. John Sung, we formed ninety- For several years Mr. Mu, the father of one of two city-wide Gospel teams. Each group is made our successful women evangelists, had been visup with from two to five members who have prom- ited by various teams and a score of evangelists. ised to go out preaching at least once a week and For over 20 years he habitually smoked opium. to report to the superintendent of their district. He was of an irritating disposition, fiercely anti- Twice a month on Sunday afternoons all groups Christian, and when drunk he reviled the evanmeet in our church for a general report. gelists. During all these years he never worked, but stayed almost continuously in one small room. Some of these volunteer workers lack education At last he could hardly walk; his eyesight became and training; the others are shy in approach, impaired and his mind was so dull that "he could tactless in fervor or hasty in enthusiasm. But all sleep inside a drum." Naturally his home was unare earnest soul workers, made alive by the re- happy. For years his daughter had prayed for generating power of Jesus Christ. Laboring
his conversion, and finally she solicited the help , around his neck, pauses in front of the speaker.
life of a group of church workers. Great was the re- Lips wide open, feet apart, he listens in bewilder- joicing when Mr: Mu and wife found new in ment, off and on, taking a bite from his necklace. Christ. Both were baptized just two weeks be- At other times a dusty donkey driver is all ears fore the sudden death of Mrs. Mu. Faithfully each for the Gospel songs but keeps his eyes fixed on week Mr. Mu is now attending meetings and his bowl,while audibly he eats soup, course mac- though past 60 years of age, he has joined a class aroni and strips of cabbage, with a pair of chop- to learn to sing Gospel songs. sticks. Sometimes a coolie vender remembers Street Gospel Meetings suddenly his trade, and the preaching must be stopped' for a moment while he lustily shouts: At seven o'clock every night the church bell "One copper cent for a big sweet potato. Warm rings for the evening meeting. Frequently a vol- your hands with it first and eat it afterwards." unteer worker tells about some street meeting or But usually the people are quiet and attentive and they are always eager to accept tracts 'and cards inviting them to attend church services.
Outside the City Gate Some volunteer workers rented a house outside the Peace Gate and changed its name to a little "Hall of Happiness." Regularly they go out there to evangelize the neighborhood and to spread Glad Tidings to the country people working in the fields. Whenever they start to sing by the road- side, stooping figures in blue cotton leave their harvest of peanuts, maize and kao-liang. Solid- wheeled blue-hooded carts stop to enable their occupants to crawl out, and women with babies in arms leave their mudhouses to listen. There in the glorious and splendid sun, shining all day long, words of eternal life are poured out into ears who never heard the Gospel before, yet the people live within the radius of a few miles out- side Peiping, a world city of the Orient.
VOLUNTEER LAY LEADERS WHAT CHRIST SAID about the work outside the city gates. Knowing I said, "Let me walk in the fields." -that swiftly running water is a good place to catch He said, "No; walk in the town." fish some church members go occasionally to the street of the Eternal Happiness Monastery, one I said, "There are no flowers there." of the busiest markets of Peiping. On market He said, "No flowers, but a crown." days there always gathers a very picturesque audience, including carefree gentlemen in silks I said, "But the skies are black, and painted ladies in satin gather around the im- There is nothing but noise and din"; provised platform, together with perspiring ricksha-pullers. Weary laborers in blue cotton gaze And he wept as he sent me back; at the colored evangelistic posters. Sometimes a "There is more," he said, "There is sin." Mongol, wearing a string of crabapples strung I said, "But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark undone."
I said, "I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight If I am to miss you, or they."
I pleaded for time to be given. He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide." GEORGE McDONALD.
Goforth of
-<illi By REV. J. A. MacMILLAN, N,w Yock III>– AMONG the missionaries of our day, Jonathan In Toronto jail and in a mission in old St. John's .r- Goforth has held a leading place for nearly Ward he labored earnestly and successfully for the half a century. The immediate cause of souls of men. "The Ward" was known as a tough his retirement from that field was not age or ill place in those days, but he went about among the health, but total loss of eyesight. Blindness was worst characters, holding open-air meetings, and a heavy handicap to a man in his seventy-fifth endeavoring to gather his hearers into the mis- year, but he continued to speak on behalf of mis- sion conducted by the young people of old Central sions, and was constantly in Presbyterian Church. During demand. one summer vacation he called Early Impressions on no less than nine hundred and sixty families. Other Born in 1859, in the atmos- summers were spent on the phere of the Scotch Pres- Home Mission field. By all byterianism of southwestern these methods he was gaining valuable experience and eno n tar i 0, he inherited the riching his knowledge of the art of winning men. strength of character and religious intensity peculiar to First Years in China those sturdy pioneers. The reading of John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief Graduating from the college of Sinners, Richard Baxter's in 1887, he married Miss Saints' Rest, the Memoir of Rosalind Bell-Smith, an ac- Robert Murray McCheyne, by complished and faithful help- Dr. Andrew Bonar, and sim- meet through the ensuing ilar literature, left a lasting years of service. In January, impression, and determined 1888, the young couple left for the choice of the Christian China, under the Canadian ministry as a life work. The Presbyterian Church, to open flame of missionary enthu- the field of North Honan, siasm was kindled by words north of the Yellow River. On of the great herald of the Gos- landing in China, Mr. Goforth pel in North Formosa, George received a message from Rev.
Leslie MacKay. At the close J. Hudson Taylor, founder of of a strenuous furlough, and the China Inland Mission, ad- · having been disappointed in REV. JONATHAN GOFORTH, D.D. vising him that the suggested obtaining the h e 1per s for field was one of the most anti- whom he had fervently sought, he had uttered the foreign in China; that the C. I. M. had only just pathetic farewell: "I have tried in vain to get succeeded, after ten years of eifort, in entering someone. Now, I am going back. I have not the southern part of the province; and closing much longer to live; soon my bones will bleach with the emphatic admonition, "If you would on the Formosan hillside. No young man has enter that province, you must go forward on your yet caught the vision. There is no one to take knees." It was an exhortation quietly accepted my place." The heart of young Goforth "caught by the new workers, and prayer became the very the vision," and responded in full surrender, keynote of their advance.
"Lord, here am I; send me!" Towards the end of 1888, Goforth, in company Dr. Jonathan Goforth entered Knox College, the with Dr. J. Fraser Smith, a graduate in medicine, Presbyterian Theological School in Toronto, when set out on a tour of the chosen field. Over 1,200 twenty-three years old. His evangelical zeal was miles were covered by mule cart, thirty walled shown by his seeking, on the first day spent in the cities and hundreds of villages entered, and in- city, for an opportunity to do service for the Lord. formation gained which proved of value in laying [93 ]
plans for the occupation of the district. It was in the meetings at times, and painful confession not, however, until 1895 that the first permanent with tears was common. station was opened in Changtefu, Honan. A spirit of curiosity had by this time partly dis- After the formation of the United Church of placed the intense fear and hatred with which Canada, Dr. Goforth remained with the continforeigners were viewed, and it had become pos- uing Presbyterian Church. It became necessary sible to purchase property. The Goforths threw to seek a new field of labor and Feng Yu-hsiang, open their home to the people that all curiosity the "Christian General," invited Dr. Goforth to might be gratified. One thousand eight hundred act as chaplain to his army. Later, when General and thirty-five men, beside women and children, Feng accepted, for a time, the advances of the visited the house in one day. Faithful testimony, Russian communists, the missionary found himpatience and kindness eventually brought conver- self in strong disagreement with the General's sions, and churches began to be established. changed viewpoint, and once more took in hand the staff of the pioneer. A new field was located Five years later occurred the fierce "Boxer" in Manchuria, thl'ough the invitation of the Scotch uprising and the Honan missionaries found it and Irish Presbyterian churches. necessary to flee towards Hankow. On the way they fell in with enemies, and Dr. Goforth re- Later Years in Manchuria ceived a number of painful head wounds, the marks of which he carried to his grave. Twenty- Dr. Goforth was past 70 years of age when the four days were occupied in the journey to Han- time came for tHeir furlough in 1930. They rekow, through which the party were preserved by turned to Canada, and later once more went forth the grace of God. Later, after the troubles had to service in Manchuria. But blindness was resubsided, the stations in Honan were reopened, lentlessly gaining ground. Both Dr. and Mrs. and increased evidences of divine favor were Goforth underwent delicate operations, and in the manifested. case of both there was the entire loss of sight of one eye. Later the other eye of Dr. Goforth failed, A Gifted Evangelist and, as they would cheerfully acknowledge, there was but one eye between them. Dr. Goforth was gifted as an evangelist and spiritual teacher. Though receiving a copy of the Retirement was granted in September but, autobiography of Charles Finney, he was stirred though seventy-seven, Dr. Goforth had no thought to an intensive study of the ministry of the Holy of lessening his activity. Hundreds of invitations Spirit. Later came opportunity to visit Korea, poured in upon him, to none of which a deaf ear and see there the marvelous working of God in was turned. The evening before his sudden transthe revival in that land. He traveled through fif- lation, on October 8, 1936, he delivered an address teen of China's eighteen provinces, preaching in of which his son, Rev. J. F. Goforth, of Wallacethe churches of various missions. Thousands burg, Ontario, said: "He never spoke with were led to the Lord, and multitudes of native greater power; it had a pl'ofound effect upon the believers brought into a new relationship to audience." – From The Evangelical Christian, Christ. Strange conviction of sin was manifested Toronto.
I DIAMONDS FROM AFRICAN MINES I was invited to spend the week-end at the mines with an American engineer and his wife. . The wife was proud of her husband that he was a diamond expert, for years of training and experience were necessary to hold such a responsible position. Millions of dollars must be expended in developing the company; tons of earth must be excavated to discover a handful of precious gems to sparkle on my lady's finger, or to cut fine commercial glass. Thousands of black men were working from dawn to dusk to discover "the white man's stone," which, if cast into the fire would turn to ashes. I, too, am a mining engineer. I am mining for black diam.onds in Central Africa, the rarest and the most valuable stones of all. I am mining for jewels that do not turn to carbon, and I am proud of my high and holy calling….
I know a frail little woman, whose health is broken by having lived in the tropics and who cannot return to her Congo home, but while she was prospecting for God in that far coun- try she discovered a diamond-in-the-rough along the pathway. Being one of God's expert en':' gineers, she worked, and prayed, and polished until the black diamond that she discovered is now known as the "Kagawa of Congo." Single-handed he has won five thousand souls to Christ.-Julia Lake Skinner Kellersberger, in The Presbyterian Survey.
Outlook for Missions Tomorrow*
A Review by REV. COURTENAY H. FENN, D.D.
For Nearly Forty Years a Missionary in China HERE is another "Rethinking Missions," but "daring slogan," "The Evangelization of the world this time by a man who has spent years on in this Generation," a proper measure of the the mission field and has devoted his later Church's Commission. Yet Missions have always years to the study and teaching of mISSIOns at been the interest of only a minority of "Chris- Yale University. Moreover, the preconceptions tians."
with which he approached the writing of this The new day must grow out of the old for the book, were very different from those with which same nine forces are at work. Yet the emergence the preparation of the "Laymen's Appraisal" was of a new world culture; economic and social approached. Consequently, we have here Missions changes; the menace of war and eager longing Rethought on the basis of thoroughly evangelical for peace ; loss of faith in the older religions and convictions, and symmetrically laid foundations. the rise of new; revolt against Occidental domina While the title of the book is "Missions Tomor- tion, and a marked decline of missionary interest, row," nearly half of it is a review of Missions mark. the opening years of the new age. The Yesterday, another sixth is a sketch of Missions various causes of decline are set forth and the Today. Both are essential as a foundation on signs of an awakening, with the assurance of vic- which to build the future and as an introduction tory through faith in the God who never ceases to for readers who have not been close students of work.
Missions. Living as we are "in one of the great As to a "Program for Missions in the New ages of transition," we must know from what we Age," it is evident that missionary forces must are turning in order to be sure that the transition be reinforced and retrenchment must cease. The is to something better. Dr. Latourette sees more time has come to advance. New methods are re- to encourage in the record of past and present quired. Freshly opened doors must be entered.
than to discourage, and among all the influences New problems demand solution. This is not easy.
available for the making of a better world he finds The new age calls for pioneers. Yet much of the none more promising than Christian Missions. old must be continued, e. g. Evangelism, the win- They are not perfect as yet but are capable of ning of individuals and of groups; not the at- adjustment to the changing order of the new day. tacking of other faiths, but the making known of Never has the Christian Gospel been more univer- a better faith by life as well as word. Much more sally needed or more effective when rightly ap- attention must be given to the creation of Chris- plied than today. The author, from preface to tian literature. The mission of education and of finis, assumes a conviction of the truth of the medicine must continue in spite of government Christian message and declares himself "thor- limitations and tendencies to secularization. New oughly committed to the Christian missionary en- types of worship and of organization are bound terprise," yet this has not kept him from facing to come in, yet the Church must be kept in touch facts. with the past. Independence of peoples of other Dr. Latourette roughly dates the "amazing age" lands is growing and should grow; the mission- as 1815-1914, and in both that age and the new ary's function will be changed, and the new day one he notes nine main movements: (1) man's calls for the highest quality, able to help the na- increased knowledge of his environment; (2) in- tionals to efficient leadership. This requires im- creased utilization of environment; (3) emer- provement in theological education, which is on gence of mechanized civilization; (4) various lib- the way. Increased attention must be given to eral movements for welfare; (5) development of the children. An ingrowing community life must nationalism; (6) religious awakening; (7) West- be guarded against and the churches must be knit ern conquest of world; (8) disintegration of into a world-wide fellowship. Organic union is Oriental cultures, (9) enlarged missionary enter- not at once attainable, but universal Christian prise. This last, at its height, included 30,000 cooperation is possible. Oriental Christian lead- Protestant missionaries supported by contribu- ers now bring stirring messages to the West.
tions of $60,000,000 per year, and had adopted a Great and pressing problems for the world-wide • "Missions Tomorrow," by Dr, Kenneth Scott Latourette, of Yale Christian community are those of war and of University. 220 pp. $2.00. Harpers. New York. 1936. race. In Christ alone can their solution be found.
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Effective Ways of Working 'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I===============================~ MAKING A CHURCH MIS- modus operandi of the Church, ful ways we have found of making SIONARY MINDED Missions a power in the lives of our Rev. Wade H. Bryant, writing church members. An entire week is Probably few pastors and not in Church Business under the set apart for it. The best teachers a great many male church mem- we can get are secured and a missionbers are not so minded-at least title of ary is brought in for the assembly in a passive, miscellaneous way; address. The school is graded accordbut how many need to become Making Church Members ing to age. The youngest boys and actively and systematically mis- girls meet in the afternoon from four sionary, with a well-articulated Missionary to five, the other classes at night from plan for linking every depart- 7: 30 to 8: 30; and from 8: 30 to 9: 15 ment of church life up with the says: all assemble in the church auditorium world-wide Kingdom program of for a missionary address. . . . As a Jesus Christ. As emphasized It is the task of the whole church direct result of one school of missions repeatedly in this Department, to get the Gospel to the last man on a fund was raised to support a native a prime essential is earth as speedily as possible. The worker in China. This actually came church leader's problem is to build out of the overflow of missionary in- A Live Church Missionary this truth into the lives of all the terest. members. Here are some of the Committee means we have used to make Mis- 6. A Functioning Missions Commit- sions . . . a vital reality in our tee. The major purpose of this is to To be most effective this church: keep the entire church membership should include (1) a representa- leavened with the spirit of Missions. tive from each department of 1. A Missionary Voice from the It is elected by the church and is comchurch activity – woman's so- Pulpit. Sometimes the pastor deliv- posed of a capable and aggressive ciety, men's brotherhood, Sunday ered two special series of missionary representative of each organization in school and every youth organiza- messages at the Sunday morning the church. It has enlarged the mistion so that the planning of a services. The first included descrip- sionary library of the church; cOnyear's study and endeavor may tions of our missionary work in each ducted a spring and fall campaign to be cooperative and articulated of the fields, both home and foreign. secure subscriptions to missionary instead of diverse and impulse- The second was a briefer series and periodicals; helped furnish programs actuated. The national and in- presented the lives and work of great for Missionarv Day in the Sunday terdenominational organizations missionary pioneers, the aim being to school once each quarter, and put on now put out their material with appeal particularly to the younger the school of missions. this end in view. (2) A definite members and to impart to them the plan for mission study and en- ideals which burned in the hearts of The use of these various means of deavor, gearing in every depart- those early heroes. teaching Missions has resulted in an ment inclusive of the men's or- increase in our contributions per ganization and the senior sec- 2. Using Missionaries at Every Op- capita for Missions, in our oversubtion of the Bible school. Avoid portunity. In the course of the year scribing our missionary budget and the lost motion of uncoordinated, we had 16 different missionaries from in an increasing interest throughout discursive and diverse activity. 11 different parts of the world. Some the church membership. No business man would need this were present for just one service, principle called to his attention some spent nearly a week. . . . Both (The school of missions is often if church work were not habi- bv their presence and by their mes- held for six successive Sunday evetually and traditionally segre- sages they fanned the fires of mis- nings at the hour of the worship servgated from practical life, prob- sionary interest. ice, 'or in place of the usual midweek ably due to the sharp dividing meeting over a similar period, with line between "secular" and "re- 3. Supporting Two Foreign Mis- moving pictures in the assembly half ligious." All of life is "reli- sionaries. The members pay the sal- hour, the six-reel film on the life of aries of two missionaries working Livingstone being especiallv approgious" to a 100 % Christian; under our foreign board. Frequent priate this year. This may be rented puolic prayer is made for these; at a nominal price from The Reliand the most efficient practices their pictures hang in the church gious Motion Picture Foundation. of "secular" life should be in the building; their names are on the The beginners' and primary depart- church bulletin each week; and ex- ments of the Sunday school may· have tracts from their letters are read in their missionary sessions at the usual the services and published in the bul- morning class hour to avoid evening attendance. Wherever p 0 s sib Ie, letin. churches of a community gain by 4. Aggressive Missionary Organiza- uniting in such a "School of World Friendship," thus making possible not tions. The women are organized in a only helpful fellowship but a selected women's missionary society with 10 faculty and a combination of financial circles; the young women and girls resources for the pictures and other in five auxiliaries; the boys in two incidentals.-ED. ) Ro:val Ambassador chapters; and the youngest boys and girls in a Sunbeam band. The total membership of these organizations is more than 400.
5. A Real Church School of Mis- sions. This is one of the most success- [96 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
A School of Missions in modern methods of religious educa- mate, and we tried to impart to the tion. . . . Another point to be kept room a homelike atmosphere. After Far and away the most lasting in mind is that the courses and mameans of cultivating missionary terials are planned to be of permanent the suppers those present sat at ease value so that a library of resource for around a large ta.:>le. The minister interest in the local church is by any age group can be built up. . . . holding the annual School of sat with the leaders introducing the Missions previously referred to. Points for setting up such a school theme and steering the discussion. are as follows: As many churches are still on After the opening remarks each the hit-or-miss highway, the fol- (1) A competent committee through lowing digest of a leaflet on set- whom plans will be formulated, fac- leader in turn presented briefly some ting up such a school may be ulties secured, supplies provided and angle of the general theme. Then timely. It is from the Workers' interest and attendance promoted Manual of The United Christian should be formed. This committee they began to talk back and forth to Missionary Society: might suitably be the missionary edu- cation committee of the local church one another. Questions and comments The original plan regarding time and should include in its membership flashed around the table, and grad- was a period of six weeks, with meet- officers or representatives from the ings regularly on a weekday or some- church board and from each organiza- ually the outside fringe was drawn times on a Sunday night. . . . An tion in the church. . . . The pastor in and all present felt free to express efficient faculty must be enlisted and and church board should appoint the prepared for effective work. The best necessary committee for conducting their points of view. . . . The in- teachers in the congregation should the Church School of Missions. . . . be enlisted. . . . The committee in formal set-up, the conversational ap- charge of such a school should insti- (2) A capable director must be proach of the leaders and the natural tute a campaign of promotion found who sees the need and possibilithroughout the entire church contin- ties of such a school and who is en- and direct method of procedure led to . uing for several weeks in every de- thusiastic for missions as well as aJle partmental assembly of the Bible to direct and to win cooperation. excellent discussion. Some topics school, before classes, and in every meeting of the various organizations. (3) An efficient faculty must be en- were: listed and prepared for effective work. The plan of "minute men," each The best teachers in the congregation RACE AND NATIONALISM, AND WHAT presenting a one-minute talk on the should be enlisted. In many communi- RELIGION HAS TO OFFElR school, may be used effectively. Much ties there are school-teachers, libra- advertising in the way of posters, bul- rians, Y. W. and Y. M. C. A. secre- PEACE letins, personal announcements in taries, etc., who are not able because YOUTH AND RELIGION newspapers, letters, invitations and of regular duties to work continuously THE INNER LIFE personal telephone calls are effective through the organizations of the methods of awakening interest. church . . . but may be secured for In everyone of these discussions the this special service during the period A Booster Meeting is advisable, a of the school. interest was keen and many took part. dinner in connection with which will be of great help in getting people out (4) The committee in charge of the Each session lasted for two and a half and interested. At such a meeting, school should institute a campaign of snappy talks on "Why Hold a Church promotion continuing for several hours and had to be broken up by the School of Missions," "The Plan for weeks . . . in each meeting of the the Church School of Missions," "How various organizations. The plan of good night announcement. . . . In. our the School of Missions Has Worked "minute men" each presenting a onein Other Churches," etc., might be minute talk may be used effectively. community these Socratic Evenings given. After several such talks the Much advertising in the way of post- director for the proposed school ers, bulletins, announcements in news- have proved to be one way to meet should speak on "Possibilities for a papers, letters, invitations, etc., are Church School of Missions in Our effective methods of awakening in- the hunp'er of adults for intimate, Congregation." Following this the terest. practical discussion of the problems various members of the faculty should be introduced, each showing a copy For further information and sup- that perplex us in this era of tran- of the book he is to teach and giving plies, write to your own denomina- a brief, spicy preview of the course. tional headquarters or to the Mission- sition. . Some churches use the stereonticon, ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth moving pictures, dramatic and other Ave., New York City. (The outlines of two of these topics "eye-gate" methods for awakening in- terest. . . . It is desirable to have an Socratic Evenings showed that they were given a strong enrollment card printed giving the missionary flair. One may see their titles of books to be taught and the Under this title, Rev. Robert names of the teachers, also time and Merrill Bartlett, of Springfield, far – reaching possibilit;es in the place of the session, and a line for Mass., writes in Church Busi- names of nersons enrolling. . . . ness :* methdd for giving missionary educa- A seven-year cycle, not always Religious education has concen- tion without a formal program, and rigidly adhered to, is followed by the trated on the child and finding in this Missionary Education M 0 ve men t. field ample work to keep it busy, it enlisting the interest of men particu- which is an interdenominational board has not done its duty to the adult. representing 30 Protestant denomina- . . . Our church, in an effort to meet larly by the use of the discussion tions in America, in the preparation of the desire of the adults in our commu- method.) excellent study books and graded sup- nity for religious guidance, instituted plementary material for Adults, a series of Socratic Evenings. Our Missionary Activities of Young People. Seniors, Intermediates, various women's groups agreed to Juniors and children of the Pr:mary serve attractive, low-priced suppers a Bible Class and Beginners' departments. The at which the attendance was limited to Courses are prepared by those exceed- 75. We thought it best to keep the The United Presbyterian con- ingly well trained and with experience gatherings small, informal and inti- tains an article by Dr. A. M. Allen telling how the Men's • Copyrighted by The Duplex Envelope Bible Class of the Washington Company, Richmond, Va. Boulevard church in Cleveland unanimously undertook a mis- sionary project of their own among the underprivileged chil- dren in the southern mountains. Condensed somewhat the article runs thus: The purpose of undert'lking the support of a boy in one of our mis- sion schools was to gain that personal contact with the work of the Church which only actual acquaintance with the one helped can give. Several recommendations were received and finally the choice was made of a girl from Paint Creek, Tenn. The task consisted in furnishing the funds necessary to nlace this girl in the dor- mitory of a school where she could receive a high school education among Christian surroundings. . . . There was doubt in the minds of some as to the possibility of raising the neces-
sary $80.00 a year over and above the in the auditorium for which special have learned to strike back. But pa- regular offerings, which were not to tient, kindly good will finally break be interfered with. It was a trial of programs had been arranged. Effec- through walls of suspicion and dis- faith. . . . During the first year the trust. offerings amounted to the necessary tive demonstrations were presented $80.00 with $162.00 surplus. . . . Last each evening. In addition to these SepteJ.llber another girl was placed in the school. Besides it was possible to the young people gave a pageant and Visit and report on the treatment spread some support among three of the underprivileged and dispos- other schools, to provide glasses for two outstanding officials in the denom- sessed by the various governmental three students with defective vision, ination were special speakers. There and charitable agencies in your comto furnish clothing for all the children munity. What happens to people of one family who must otherwise were many short addresses on the dif- when they fall into the hands of the drop out of school, etc., etc. Money ferent fields. A great deal of in- police? What is the police court in from the fund, being loaned only to your town like? What happens to responsible parents and later repaid, formative literature was given out. them at the family welfare society, continues to be reloaned over and There was no admission to the ex- the juvenile detention home, the over again without interest. domestic relations court? hibit but two freewill offerings were How can interest be aroused and What opportunities are offered to maintained among such a group of taken which helped to defray ex- minority groups in your community men to prompt them to contribute penses. Individuals furnished the these hundreds of dollars? The an- in the matter of work? What opporswer lies mainly in the girls them- various exhibits with no expense to tunities for jobs, for advancement? selves-their regular and faithful cor- Who was the last hired? The first respondence . . . written in their the church. The chief expenses were fired? own quaint styles. Dr. McGranahan, printing, literature, express for panels in a letter to the president of the What about housing, recreation, class, writes that what impresses him from the Mission Board, etc. public utilities, sanitation, health of most about this relationship is not so minority groups in your community? much the good being done down South The chairman of the general com- Compare the condition of the poorest as the fun the Bible class men seem to group with that of the wealthy, the be having in doing it. He adds: "You mittee which made the plans wrote middle class and the poorer white seem to be getting a real kick out of population. it." . . . In the fall of 1934 eight of as follows: "We feel it was the bigthese men spent a glorious week-end gest thing the First Baptist Church visiting the schools in question. That trip will not be forgotten. of Portland has ever done in a mis- sionary educational way and we have The World Came to Portland been showing constant results because Dr. William A. Hill tells in of this effort. The missionary zeal in Missions how the First Baptist our church has greatly increased and church of Portland, Oregon, conducted a missionary exhibit we expect to have it show in a bigger which was an outstanding ex- way during the coming year." ample of the possibilities in missionary education: What happens to a Negro who lands For weeks the church was busy with Things Any Church Group in your town a stranger-how does he study and preparations, and in the Can Do find lodgings, what sort of accomfour days of the exhibit 6,000 people visited the booths and listened to the modations are availa.Jle to him, where explanations and addresses. The project was called "The World in the And put the accent upon the does he eat, how is he treated in the White Temple." . . . The plan in- "do"! This Department Editor matters of citizenship, railway and cluded exhibits in foreign mission booths representing Africa, Burma, postal service, police protection, jus- India, etc., and in home m'ssion labors in vain if the readers are tice before the law? booths of Americanization, work in Alaska, among Indians, etc.; of med- not mindful of the admonition, What are religious organizations of ical missions, promotion work for all minority groups like in your town? departments of denominational en- "Be ye doers of the word and not deavor, the Publication Soc i e t y, hearers only." The sole aim of How are their churches housed? schools, colleges, seminaries, etc., as her endeavor is to pass along What sort of leaders do they have? well as local work in the Y. M. and plans which are really workable Y. W. C. A., Council of Churches, Are they meeting the needs of their Girl Scouts, W. C. T. D., etc. . . . A young people or losing the coming most interesting display was a replica of Kodiak Orphanage in Alaska, and because they have w 0 r ked. generation? the moving pictures and stereopticon Among suggestions given in the slides in the picture room, these being What shapes the thinking of your accompanied by lectures by well in- current literature packet of The community toward minority groups formed travelers. . . . Effective dem- United Christian Missionary So- and toward other nations? Does paonstrations were presented in the eve- triotism in your community mean nings; the young people gave a ciety, the following is a conden- glorifying our national spirit at the pageant and outstanding speakers expense of others or does it mean apwere heard. sation of the outstanding points preciation of our national spirit along for all church workers: with that of the others? People visited the booths from 2: 30 to 10: 00 p. m. except during the hour Make a friendly approach to minor- Send the Department Editor ity racial or religious groups in your community. Choose your workers practical plans which you have from among those willing to subordi- worked out along this and other nate prejudices and try new paths. Choose with care the group you are to missionary lines.
approach, whether Negroes, Jews or others. Remember they have their prejudices and resentments, some- "Are you an active member- times more deeply rooted than your The kind that would be missed, own. Make contact at first with two Or are you just contented or three members of the group who That your name is on the list?
are likely to be sympathetic, and ex- Do you attend the meetings plain to them your desire for friend- And mingle with the flock, ship, letting them understand that you Or do you stay at home feel they have something to teach you. To criticize and knock?
Let the plans for friendship grow nat- Do you take an active part urally, not attempting too much at To help the work along, once. Or are you satisfied) to only just Remember minority groups are belong?
sensitive to slights even when not in- Do you ever go to visit A member that is sick, tended. Nobody wants to be segre- gated, even though in a choice situa- Or leave the work to just a few tion. You will occasionally meet re- And talk about 'the clique'?
buffs from Catholics, Jews, Italians or Think this over, member- other groups. Remember that rebuffs You know right from wrong.
from your own kind are a common lot Are you an active member, Or do you just belong?" and that as a protective measure they The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK WORLD DAY OF PRAYER From 1928-31, Miss Burnham was Children's Worker at War- Friday, February 12, 1937 burton Chapel, Italian, at Hart- ford, where she organized one FIRST FRIDAY IN LENT of the first nursery schools in The World Day of Prayer be- that city, working in cooperagins in New Zealand and the tion with various educational Fiji Islands, and as the Day pro- and welfare agencies. She was gresses, new groups in city, town, countryside, and hamlet, Director of Education and Sojoin in praise and prayer until cial Work at The First Church after some forty hours the Day of Christ, Congregational, in ends at Gambell on St. Lawrence Hartford, from 1930-34. While Island off the coast of Alaska thirty miles from the date line there she did much work in leadand about the same distance ership training in the field of from the Arctic Circle. All children's work and missionary these groups are praying that education, and organized and we may be one in our service for Jesus Christ – that barriers of supervised one of the first race and class may be broken F. E. R. A. schools at Center down-that we may truly learn Church House, attended by over to follow Him whose way is the four hundred young people and way of life for all men – that we may be faithful witnesses of adults. During 1935-36, she His love and His life-giving acted as Dean of Women and inpower-and that men may find structor at Dickinson Junior the way by which individuals and nations can live together in College and was on the faculty peace and understanding. of Dickinson Summer School of Christian Education. NEW ASSOCIATE CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM THE APPEAL OF INDIAN SECRETARY YOUTH Associate Secretary In December, Miss Seesholtz "Lord, Teach Us to Pray!" introduced to you the new Ex- responsibilities the Council's ecutive Secretary of 'the Council program in international rela- One of our Religious Work of Women for Home Missions tions, legislative matters, con- Directors, while teaching a and editor of this bulletin-and ferences and schools of missions group of young Indian students now, in turn, it is her privilege and the Indian Work. Miss in one of the Government Boardto introduce to you Miss Char- Burnham, a member of the ing Schools, was asked, "Does lotte Mary Burnham who on Methodist Episcopal C h u r c h God really help anyone who October 15 became the Associate comes to the Council with a prays? What should we pray Secretary of the Council of training and experience that for – how shol1ld we pray?" Women for Home Missions. prepare her in an unusual way Does this remind you of another From time to time there will be for the work of the Council. group in far-off Palestine, one of messages from Miss Burnham whose members asked The Great in this bulletin, for in the re- After receiving a bachelor de- Teacher, "Lord, teach us to alignment of the work of the gree in religious education at pray" ? Those young men were executive staff of the Council Hartford Seminary Foundation groping their way from the old she will carry among her major she received her Master's degree religion of Judah with all of its from Trinity College, Hartford, traditionalism and formalism to Conn. In 1934-35 she did ad- an understanding of Jesus' in- vanced work at Yale Graduate terpretation of God as a loving School where she was Teaching Father "who giveth good things Assistant in the Department of to them that ask him." Education.
[ 99 ] These young Indian Americans, they are friends and advisers as well, homa for late cotton, drifted into the too, need guidance in their religious helping many young people through Imperial Valley, California, for early life, caught as they are in the transi- crises in their personal and school life. truck garden work, and then on up tion from the old to the new, often un- They encourage church membership into peas. The first crop rusted with able to accept the guidance of their and cooperate with the local ministers. the too abundant rain and the migra- own people who can see no good in the Does this type of training carryover tory worker pawned his rickety car white man's way of life or the white after the students have left the and the wheels of his trailer to get man's religion. And it is no wonder school? After a trip to visit former money for food, then starved until that many of the older generation can students, one of our Directors writes, relief funds brought him a few meals. see little good in these things when "We find that our graduates are do- There were still more dire conditions we remember the injustice and cruelty ing much better than we had heard. with the coming of the frost which blackening the relationships of the In most cases the Indian homes were nipped the late crop of peas. Several past. as neat as the white homes around hundreds had in some way secured them and sometimes better. At Happy gasoline to move onward-1,800 still But Indian youth today is looking Camp we visited two graduates who remained, the victims of malnutrition forward. In the boarding schools of are helning with church work. In a and discouragement. Whole families the secondary and vocational types little log church at Cottage Grove on must pick all day to secure six or maintained by the Government, many the Klamath River, Caroline Aubrey, eight hampers of peas; the combined young Indians are being trained for a graduate of Sherman, carried on the earnings could not feed the families. work this summer while the missionwork as leaders among their own ar" and his wife were at summer Low wages and irregularity people–as nurses, home economics in- school." of employment have long been structors, community workers, teach- underlying evils in the situation. ers, agriculturalists, stenographers, Fifteen national Home Mis- According to a recent study by in the trades, and in the professions. sions Boards unite in program the State Relief Administration Many others go out into our large and financial responsibility for of California: cities each year and are assimilated the work of the Joint Indian into the population. Many Indian Committee of the Home Missions In each of the last six years the Americans are holding important po- Councils. Funds are needed to largest number of agricultural work- maintain the work; more funds ers had employment for only half the sitions and many others have rendered are needed to cover adequately year. In 1930, 18 per cent had steady outstanding service to their own peo- the field. Will you help to an- work; in 1935, only 2 per cent had ple and to our Government. swer the appeal of Indian youth? no period of unemployment. The average yearly earning-s per family Ataloa, of Bacone College, Musko- "Lord, teach us to pray!" group, while only $381 in 1930, degee, Oklahoma, in addressing Indian clined to $289 in 1935. youth, said, "What a difficult but glo- CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM. rious task Indian youth faces today! Earnings from agriculture were He stands at the place where many NOTES ON MIGRANT not supporting laDoring families six years ago and the need for a relief trails cross. How can the best in the WORK subsidy has steadily increased. A past be preserved-a priceless culture thoroughly bad situation is becoming that produced independence, strong even worse. leaders, a great art? And again, how select from the advancing civilization of the white man the things that are of value rather than those which degenerate and cheapen?
"Trained leadership is the only an- From the drought – stricken It is encouraging and signifiswer to these problems. This means areas of Oklahoma, Missouri, cant that when this national education where one may learn to Arkansas and neighboring 'share a life as well as make a living.' problem was brought to the at- We need religious leadership, moti- states, hundreds of families are tention of the United States vated by the teachings of Christ, that migrating to the extensive crop Senate in June, 1936, the followwill prove a new faith can minister areas of the Southwest. To ing resolution was adopted: to every phase of Indian experience, maintain their economic indeand relationships, with the same vi- pendence is their aim – and re- Resolved, That the Secretary of tality as the old religions. . . . But ports of the thousands needed Labor is hereby authorized and diwithout spiritual guidance, training, for the tremendous crop harv- rected to study, survey, and investiand unselfish devotion, Indian youth ests in California raise their gate the social and economic needs of will fail in meeting the challenge." hopes of employment. Often La ;orers migrating across state lines. they find no shelter available and Are we helping them to meet this the only thing left for them is to The children of these migrant build their own. The result is challenge? It is a challenge to us as numerous squatters' camps. families have been of major con- Christians to share our Christian To find shelter is by no means cern to the Council of Women heritage with them-the best thing in their only problem. In Califor- nia a small town became a city for Home Missions since the our civilization we have to offer. In overnight. Twenty-five hundred pickers arrived to harvest the Migrant Work was begun in an attempt to meet this need for reli- pea crop. Hundreds of families, many of them from the districts 1920. Through religious educagious instruction, Christian character of the sharecropper in Arkansas, building, and leadership training, Mississippi, and Texas, swarmed tion, public health programs, among young people in the Indian into the area in search of work. schools, the Council of Women for and recreational activities, the Home Missions and the Home Mis- Most of the army of 2,500 people sions Council, working through the had wandered from Arkansas or Mis- lives of thousands of children Joint Indian Committee, maintain a sissippi over the state line into Oklareligious education program in six and young people have been pergovernment boarding schools and several communities and day schools. manently enriched. . This program includes courses of study in the schools, in the Bible and In 57 areas in 12 states, Life of Jesus, Chapel Services, Young People's societies, clubs and recrea- churches of 17 denominations tional work, and is carried on by eight trained Religious Work Directors. cooperate through the Council But this is not all that they do- of Women for Home Missions in service to the Migrants. Work in 32 other states is not even be- gun.
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I Our W orld~wide Outlook IiI [ A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO I~ NORTH AMERICA rer ~ent of all. philanthropic giv- The Bishops' Crusade mg m the Umted States to reli- More Christianity in Public gion and the love of God. This is a two-year enterprise Life of a spiritual nature, initiated A fitting conclusion to what and led by the bishops of the Dr. E. Stanley Jones, one of was probably the best annual Methodist Church, and having the leaders in the National meeting of the United Steward- two phases or sections. Preaching Mission, declared that ship Council was a discussion of the Spirit of Christ must be em- the "Stewardship Approach to The first is called the Missionbodied in public as well as pri- Personal Religion." ary Forward Movement. Its vate life. purpose is to make the Church Religious Broadcasts vitally missionary and evan- "Today religion is at the judg- gelistic in spirit and attitude. ment bar in America," said Dr. More than 40 religious pro- The second is called the Alders- J ones. "We are in the process grams are regularly broadcast gate Commemoration. Its purof change and face three choices. over a national hookup each pose is wholly spiritual: it will The changes will take place week. Of the fourteen Protes- reemphasize the primary Methupder Communism, under Fas- tant programs, thirteen are odist principle of personal reli- CIsm, or under the Kingdom of supervised by the Department of gious experience; it will not be God on earth. The question is Religious Radio of the Federal an evangelistic movement, as can religion provide a goal and Council of Churches. The Jews commonly understood, but workpower to move toward that goal? have 16 weekly programs and ing within the Church, it will Let us make no mistake, how- the Catholics 10. This listing seek to revive personal religious ev~r. The system of religion does not include the vast number experience in the lives of MethbUIlt around Christ is at the of programs locally broadcast odist people. judgment bar but Christ and nor those broadcast at irregular His Kingdom are not. The call intervals over a national hookup. The objectives of the Crusade to. the world is not to modify correspond to what all candid HIm but to obey Him." -Advance. Christians recognize as the deep- est need of the day – personal -The Living Church. "Church of Christ in America" religious experience and its ex- pression in missionary and evan- Stewardship Conference Dr. E. Stanley Jones pleads gelistic service. for a "Church of Christ in Representatives of the major America," comprising all denom- -World Outlook. Protestant churches in America inations. "The figure that I met in Dayton, Ohio, last No- have in mind," he says, "is that Methodist Board Reports vember to consider the "Stew- of a tree with many branches ardship Approach to Religion." adhering to the central trunk, Bishop Francis J. McConnell,. Dr. H. C. Weber, canvass di- that trunk in turn adhering to President of the Met hod i s t rector of the Presbyterian the root-Christ." Each branch Board of Foreign Missions since Churcli opened the discussion by may have any particular form 1928, said at the 118th annual recounting the national evils of of self-government it desires, meeting of the Board in Novemgambling, extravagance and but let it not impose any par- ber: "Under all the circumwaste, indicating the need for ticular government on the rest stances the Board of Foreign organization against them on the at the price of unity. Out of Missions never was doing betpart of Christian forces in the such an organization there will ter work than now." spirit of a new propulsion of come a larger expression of stewardship ideals. A whole Christianity which will more The total receipts for 1936 afternoon was devoted to "The closely approximate the kingdom were …………….. $1,308,440 Stewardship Approach to Valid of God. Each nation would Philanthropy and Sound Church have a local expression of the The disbursements were ., 1,308,259 Finance," the principal address Church of Christ; for instance being delivered by Arnud C. the Church of Christ in Britain, Excess of receipts … $181 Marts, Acting President of the Church of Christ in China. Bucknell University. Dr. Marts The budget was balanced by a credited the motivation for 90 -United Presbyterian. deferred income emergency aid [ 101 ] of $30,432 by the World Service Commission. The secretaries, staff members, missionaries and employees, without exception, re-
linquished salary for two weeks eral Conference in Columbus, The first object of the moveduring the year in addition to Ohio, includes a plan for the for- ment is to inspire the churches their regular gifts to help bal- mation of Negro churches into to take up with fresh assurance ance the budget. This practice a separate regional body under their sacred task of leading men has been followed for three the General Conference. This into the life in God. The second years, and in a number of cases has brought reactions from other objective is to inspire believers has worked great hardship, how- countries. The Madras Guard- to express the spirit of Jesus in ever voluntary the gifts have ian (India) criticizes this fea- all the relationships of life. This been. ture of the union as one which two-fold purpose has been af- recognizes racial distinctions. firmed in all the meetings. Five new missionaries have To those who drafted the measbeen commissioned by the Wom- ure, it seemed advisable for -United Church Record. an's Foreign Mission Society- purely administrative reasons, three for India, one for Malaya and Bishop B. T. Badley calls Offerings in Fur and one for South America. attention to the fact that two Negro delegates ably advocated When their bishop visited the -Christian Advocate. the plan. Indians in the Canadian diocese of Moonsonee, they asked if they Atheism Association The Blackfeet of Montana might make their offerings in furs, instead of money. Charles Smith, forty-eight, The Methodist E pis cop a I native of Arkansas, is America's Church maintains missionary When the day came they ace atheist, his chief aim-broad- work on the Blackfeet Indian brought their pelts, carefully casting his disavowal of God. Reservation, with headquarters dressed, and at the time of the In 1925 he organized the Amer- at Browning, Montana. The offering, led by their chief, each ican Association for the Ad- work differs very little from one with great dignity arose and vancement of Atheism, which church work anywhere. There carried his fur to the chancel now claims 1,500 members, and is a very active Ladies' Aid, a where with a reverent bow he last fall SWUfig into action with Junior Epworth League, an In- presented it to the bishop. No an enlarged program of lectures termediate League, regular wor- one left his seat until the one and debates. Mr. Smith avers ship services, and a church ahead of him had returned and that there are now nearly 150,- school. Two hundred members sat down. There were 150 pres- 000,000 of the world's two bil- are enrolled in the church; 240 ent, so the presentation of the lion people who publicly admit in the church school. A number offering took an hour and a half. they believe in no divine power. of white people also attend the These were the Mistassinny In- In the United States he sets the church. Activities are not con- dians, at a place of the same figures at one million; but in fined to the town, but cover name between Hudson Bay and addition he asserts half the na- eight rural communities. The Lake Superior. tion actually practices no reli- Reservation is as large as the gion. state of Delaware. LATIN AMERICA Nearly all this Association's Indians are naturally reli- More Freedom for Churches claims, that more and more peo- gious. Taking the tribe as a ple are professing disbelief in whole, the religious views of the The Mexican Government con- God, are denied by the nation's Blackfeet are a mixture of sun tinues to show a more moderate clergy, led by Dr. Harry Emer- worship, superstition, Catholi- policy with regard to religion. son Fosdick, who says: "It is cism and Protestantism. It re- Both in Mexico City and Guadahard to believe in God, but it is quires an infinite amount of pa- lajara the churches and priests far harder to disbelieve in Him." tience to work with the Indians, seem to enjoy more liberty in A Baptist pastor of Seattle says: because they do not want to be the matter of services than at "Our community is suffering hurried or pushed into a pro- any other time in the past five from a general moral and spir- gram. years. Laws limiting such servitual sag, but there is no general ices still exist, but they are not turning to atheism." A San -Woman's Home Missions. eDiorced. Masses are well at- Francisco clergyman cites the tended and church bells are number of press notices of Sun- Evangelization in Canada again allowed to announce them. day services, the number of The churches of Sinaloa were Christian burials and the great Members of all churches in reopened several months ago, majority of hospital patients Canada are cooperating in a while the newly elected governor found to pray as evidence that campaign for the evangelization of Sonora has promised to 12eratheism is not on the increase in of Canadian life. The movement mit the reopening of churches that city. -Literary Digest. started with a dramatic meeting there. Probably not more than for witness in Montreal, at- three or four states are seriously Methodist Union and the tended by over 14,000 people, interfering with religious serv- Negro and gatherings with a similar ices. -Christian Century. spirit have been held in more The Methodist scheme for than a score of cities from the Home Missions' Outreach union which passed at the Gen- Atlantic to the Pacific. Sometimes Mexican converts in the United States wish to be
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
repatriated. Two such families, of inspection of teaching institutions, tist newspaperman and pastor when offered free transportation both public and private, in order to is writing for fifty-two news~ to their old homes in Mexico, ensure the achievement of the social papers in the Latin American looked forward to seeing their o.Jjective of education and the better republics. relatives, and also to bringing intellectual, moral and physical trainthem the happiness that they ing of those who are taught. EUROPE themselves had found in the Gospel, so they accepted the trip, With the addition of- two new Not a Struggle Between after giving up good employ- groups to the present mission- Religion and Irreligion ment, ignorant of what was ary forces it is hoped that a awaiting them in their old coun- marked advance will be made. A young Virginian who ar~ try. rived in Spain from the Olympic -The World Today. Games the day the rebellion Both fathers of these two fam- broke out comments on the sit~ ilies have been such ardent evan- From Island to Island uation in an article in the Pres~ gelists that each has had to flee byterian Tribune,' from his own village to escape In 1920, the Board for Chris~ death at the hands of his own tian Work in Santo Domingo Inasmuch as there is considerable parents or brothers, who had was organized for the purpose misunderstanding of the religious sitdisowned him for his heresy. of carrying out a religious, edu- uation in Spain, it is important to One of the men cannot get reg- cational and medical program in state emphatically that it is not a ular work because his religion the Dominican Republic. Rev. struggle betwe~n religion and irreprevents his joining workers' B. N. Morgan, working under ligion. It is a struggle between those syndicates. The other has em- this Board, has been broadcast- who stand for the freedom to believe ployment in the mission hospi- ing his weekly services, and thus and worship God in one's own way or tal. They have both known has reached not only his own to disbelieve; and those in the one deepest poverty and privation, church members and members Spanish institution of religion, the but they still say that carrying of other denominations but also Roman Catholic Church of Spain-not the Gospel to their own towns non-Christians. Recently, he a part of the government under the was worth the sacrifice. Their was told by a Puerto Rican pas- iniquitous dictatorship of Primo de work has not been in vain, for tor that several groups in that Rivera and the Monarchy, but the it has resulted in a group of con- island were taking radios into government. This church was the verts in each village, although their churches and tuning in chief landowner in Spain. It was also the relatives are not among each week to hear the sermons the most important industrialist, them. -Presbyterian Survey. broadcast by Mr. Morgan – in banker, schoolmaster and money- fact, depending upon his broad- lender. Its wealth has been estimated Church and State in Colombia cast for their entire evening at one-third of the national wealth. service. -Monday Morning. With monks, nuns, higher and lower The Liberal Government in clergy, it constituted a veritable army Colombia, which has now been Record-Making Cuban Baptists of occupation. in power for six years, has been able, in spite of organized op- Cuban Baptists are proud of a There was one priest for every 900' position, to strengthen its posi- list of records, which they be- persons, compared with one for every tion. A revised Constitution lieve have not been matched. 20.000 in Italy, the seat of the Papacy. affirms: They have almost 50 per cent of All told, there were 106,734 persons all church memberships. There either in the clergy or in the religious The State guarantees liberty of are two Cuban Conventions, orders, 25,474 of them priests and conscience. Noone shall be persecuted Oriental and Occidental, and 81,260 monks and nuns. In no other because of his religious opinions nor both have more than a hundred country did the clergy constitute such compelled to profess beliefs or observe churches with ten thousand a disciplined and powerful vested inpractices contrary to his conscience. members. terest. Only a major operation on Liberty of worship is guaranteed to the body politic could dislodge them. all provided that it be not contrary to The first statue erected in Christian morals nor to the laws…. Cuba honoring a Protestant was Spezia Mission in Italy The Government may form agree- to the Baptist physician, F. Rodments with the Holy See subject to riguez, philanthropist of Santa Through recent stormy times the approbation of the Congress, in Clara province. The first Prot- the Spezia Mission for All Italy order to regularize the relations be- estant representative sent to the has kept right on with its work. tween the State and the Catholic Cuban capitol as a legislator was Church on a basis of reciprocal defer- a Baptist, Sr. Eladio Gonzalez The environment has been one ence and mutual respect. Morales, superintendent of the of extraordinary difficulty, and Sunday school of the Baptist even of severe persecution. Another article, which for- church at Matanzas. Again and again it has been only merly stated that public educa- the direct interposition of God tion should be organized and di- Noone yet has written in the which has prevented the work rected in accordance with the Spanish language so man y being closed down, and the Catholic religion, has been re- Christian books as Sr. A. S. Rod- workers swept peremptorily out placed by a new Article (14) : riguez Garcia, a Cuban Baptist of the country. who died in 1934, in Sancti Liberty of teaching is guaranteed. Spiritus. Finally, a Cuban Bap- This Mission keeps rigorously The State shall have supreme power clear of politics. Its workers claim to be servants of the Most High God, ministers of the Gos- pel of Christ. They are held in high esteem, and honored for what they have done for the up- lift of the country.
A beautiful and spacious lack of pastors was stressed and wrapped in bits of paper stained with building for the boys' orphanage the vital need of filling this gap. blood. The nurse asked why he didn't has been erected in a magnificent Home missions were also repre- stop wearing the shoes, and he said position, is paid for and is now sented at the inaugural meeting. he had paid the rent on them and waiting government permit for meant to get his money's worth. its opening. -The Christian. Methodists in Germany -Presbyterian Survey. Religion for Foundry Boys Many of Methodism's roots are in Germany, and one of its Ethiopia on Way to Become In November, 1865, an or- most flourishing branches is Catholic ganization was founded in Glas- there. The work began in 1533; gow under the name of the Glas- in 1936 there were 55,000 mem- The Roman Catholic Church gow Foundry Boys' Religious bers, 280 ministers, 1,200 local is embarking on an intensive Society, and its object was the preachers, 1 , 0 0 0 preaching missionary penetration of Ethireligious, educational and social places, 430 churches and chapels opia. This Church is now at libelevation of the lads and girls of valued at about five and one-half erty for the first time to exercise the city who had no church con- million dollars. In eight hospi- its evangelical mission in pernection. The work has grown tals and thirty~three homes 1,000 fect freedom in vast territories until there are now seventy-four deaconesses do a splendid work; of Ethiopia where its presence branches, with an aggregate at- besides hospital work they paid was formerly opposed. tendance of about 8,500 mem- 60,000 visits in 1935 to sick, bers, superintended by 1,200 poor, lonesome, old people. In Extensive plans are being laid workers. The dominating Chris- the Theological Seminary at for s pre a din g Catholicism tian element is further pro- Frankfort-Main young men are throughout Ethiopia, and a band moted by union with churches prepared for the ministry, and of missionaries is being preand missions, and wherever in two tents nearly 100,000 peo- pared for this purpose. They found practicable, each branch ple hear the Gospel summer af- are to be provided with all the or meeting-place of the Society ter summer. means necessary for carrying is specifically connected with a their message into the more congregation from which its -Christian Advocate. urimitive and most distant reworkers may be drawn. gions, and will be put in a posi- AFRICA tion to open schools and hos- -Life of Faith. pitals. Observations of a Missionary The Book of Books The problem of providing re- Rev. James L. Jackson, Pres- ligious assistance for the white A colporteur in Roumania sold byterian worker in the Congo colonists is already partly solved a Bible to a man who had never BeIge tells of performing the by the presence in Ethiopia of before heard of it. Taking it marriage ceremony for a native large numbers of military chaphome he began to read it, and evangelist, whose bride was the lains. For missionary adminisafter a time remarked: first girl in Africa he had ever trative purposes the territory seen get married with shoes on. will be divided ecclesiastically "Wife, if this Book be true, Not only that, but this bride into five apostolic prefectures. we are wandering along a false carried flowers in a pickle bottle These will coincide with the five road." of water. She was very serious political subdivisions. about it. Reading further, he said: -New York Times. "Wife, if this Book be true, Mr. Jackson has other observwe are lost." ations: Changes in Morocco He still read on and at last called out: "Wife, if this Book Today we saw a native man pa- It was Mr. John Anderson, be true, we can be saved." rading up and down the compound Scotch Christian, backed by the carrying a raised umbrella over him, Ayrshire Christian Union, who -Dnyanodaya. though the sun was shining. His founded a mission for long neg- only clothing was a loin cloth. His lected Moroccans. It was no Coordination in Lithuania idea was not to keep off the heat but easy task, but gradually opposi- to impress the populace with his own tion has lessened and opportuni- On October 5th last, the Lith- importance. It is a common sight to ties for helpfulness were inuanian Protestant Association see some village chief wearing some- creasingly found. was founded, in which are united body's second-hand overcoat buttoned all Protestant churches and or- from top to bottom, even though the In recent years, changes of ganizations of the country. The day be extremelv hot. He is willing far-reaching importance have efforts to unify the Protestants to torture himself in order to make an taken place in Moroccan life. of Lithuania was begun very in- imnression upon the lowly village!"s. Education is playing a great tensively last year, and have re- part in changing the outlook arid sulted in the close collaboration Speaking of self-torture, one young ideas of the people, especially of Lutherans and Calvinists, man came to our nurse one day, wear- among the young, and these with the aim of reinforcing ing a pair of clumsy-looking shoes changed conditions have brought Protestantism. At the first and limping quite badly. He had been the missionary into contact with meeting of the Association the married about a week and had worn questions which could not have these shoes since his wedding cere- been asked twenty years ago, mony. He asked for some medicine to ease the pain in his feet. He took off his shoes and showed his feet
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
simply because the conditions swer all the Macedonian calls. I told that lie; I did not understand that prompt these queries today An evangelist sent out last year it, it seemed far worse to me to be did not exist then. Years ago went to a town where there was found out. I'll remember, really I the boys who came to mission not a single Christian. He has will." And then with a little enclasses had spent the greater been there only 10 months and gaging smile, "But really you need not part of the day cooped up in a there are now 28 confessors, an mind quite so much. God's got started small room memorizing the attendance of over 30 at the on us now." Koran. Today they come from Sunday service and a school of French schools with their heads about the same number of chil- -World Outlook. full of figures that measure the dren, which he teaches. distance of fixed stars. Books, The Miracle in Sierra Leone in both Arabic and French, are Increasing Interest in South as common as coins. The grow- Africa Bishop Wright, of the C.M.S., ing generation is convinced that sees many hopeful signs in quinine is more effective than The Dutch Reformed Mission Africa-not the least a growing quack medicines; and that vac- has various methods of increas- desire among African Christians cination is a surer way of wiping ing missionary interest: Mis- for a deeper spiritual life. He out smallpox than a thousand sionary sermons and prayer says: visits to saints' tombs. meetings throughout the parish; annual mission festivals in every It is a remarkable thing that from The opportunity of enlight- ward; annual collections by the a mass of freed slaves and their deening these newly-educated men deacons; annual "Synodal" col- scendants, neglected as they had been is being seized by the mission- lections by means of the envelope by the Church for nearly 2,000 years, aries at every station, and also system; work by the Christian left the victims of their system with in the markets and villages. The Endeavor t h r 0 ugh Sunday its medicine men, its human sacrifices, Scriptures and other Christian schools, prayer meetings in the its fears, its unlimited liability to debt literature are now being widely wards, sick-visiting among Col- and consequent pledging of men, womcirculated. Several years ago, ored and Native, and missionary en, and children, its truly awful and fifty Mohammedan con v e r t s meetings in the European con- widespread diseases -that from amid were questioned as to what had gregation under the minister's so great disability there has arisen first attracted their attention to guidance; an annual missionary the self-supporting, self-extending, Christianity, and what had week-end"; the buying of "mis- self-governing Church. brought about their conversion. sion shares" by young men; Nineteen replied that their at- conversations abo u t missions Christianity in Sierra Leone is tention had first been attracted during pastoral calls; visits of Quietly and gradually influencing the by reading the Bible, or some missionaries; local mission com- Moslems and heathen, and is changportion of it, and twenty-two at- mittees; mission evening of ing their estimate of values, as the tributed their conversion di- Children's Missionary Circles. non-Christian sees the happy family rectly to the Word. life and the prosperous economic life It has also been found helpful of the Christian. During my time in -Southern Morocco Mission. to found a home mission and Sierra Leone, a deputation of several guarantee the salary of a local scores of Moslem men, having come Metet Missionary Society missionary. to me to help them settle a quarrel, began the interview by saying: "We Esther Bartlett, of the West -South African Outlook. come to you as our spiritual head." Africa Presbyterian Mission, It may have been merelv a complireports the annual missionary "God's Got Started" ment, but that it should have been conference of the four churches said at all is a triumph for the power in the Metet District, held in the Miss Mabel Shaw has written of tbe Christian character of the Afbush 20 miles from Metet. It a book worthy of wide reading ricans who form our Church there. was entirely under the direction -"God's Candlelight." An inof the natives. Excellent talks cident at the close of the book -C. M. S. Outlook. on giving were made. When the illustrates at once the simplicity offering was presented on the of the African and the hope of WESTERN ASIA last afternoon it was found to be the world. double that of the preceding From Bigotry to Faith year. One of the laborers at There had been a lot of lying, and Metet makes thirty francs a Ana had been in the thick of it. A Presbyterian missionary in month. He gave forty francs Teheran was. greeted one day by to the missionary society. One "Don't you ever want to tell a lie?" a government employee whom he of the evangelists gave his whole She looked at me searchingly. had never seen before. As they month's salary. These offerings sat down to talk the man said: were in addition to their regular "Yes-I suppose I do at times." "I think I know Christ better contributions to the church. "There you are," said the child with than you do." Let the mission- a quick eager movement of her body. ary tell the story. This money is being used to "And God started long ago on you, so send evangelists to untouched many years ago that we cannot count When I asked how he knew Christ districts. It is not enough to an- them. And he has only just started he said that twenty-two years ago he on us. . . . Don't mind it so much," had been employed as a teacher in a she said earnestly. "God is rather Russian school in one of the cities of slow, isn't he? It took him a long Iran. He was a very bigoted Mo- time to get you white people ready to hammedan, and made fun of the come and tell us about him. I'm sorry Christian Russians. But one day he went by himself into the room of the priest, and there he saw a picture of Christ on the cross. This view of Christ's sufferings broke his heart, and he suddenly began to weep, wet- ting the picture with his tears. The priest came in, and he went out, not
telling his experience to anyone. But their way into the people's homes and the scene as one of utter desohe found a colporteur and bought a schools, against active opposition of lation. Whole buildings were Bible, and after going through the national priesthood? blown away before the wind, Old Testament (which he did not like and will have to be entirely remuch) he came to the Sermon on the 4. The cultural problem: How can built. The new hall in course Mount, and he knew that was what he the Bible exert its full effect on a peo- of erection, which was to be had been seeking. "I have read that ple largely illiterate? opened by General Evangeline a thousand times," he said. He told Booth on her visit to Bapatla me he had kept this love for Christ in 5. The economic problem: How can was ruined. his heart and had told no one, for fear the Bible be sold to a people too poor of losing it. "Tell it," I said, "the to buy it? It was comforting to the ofmore you give the more you will ficers who labor in the Colony have!" I left some books for him, 6. The sectarian problem: How can that in the height of the storm and yesterday when I returned I found men be found as colporteurs of the those stricken, primitive people he had just finished reading the Per- Scriptures, who are at the same time sung hymns of petiti.on to God sian translation of Pilgrim's Progress. zealous friends of the Bible, willing for protection, and several of the When he began to read it he had not to "endure hardness as good soldiers young Christian boys led the been able to put it down till it was of Jesus Christ," and yet free from people in prayer. finished. It was just the book he had the fanaticism of some particular been looking for for years, he said. sect? The damage was not confined As I was the first Christian with to the Leper Colony only. One whom he had ever discussed these 7. The administrative problem: How of the Army's hospitals near by, things, he asked me to come to see can the limited supply of workers, and built on high ground, was isohim in his home, where he would in- of financial resources be so employed lated, heavy floods covering the vite some of his friends to meet me. as to secure the maximum distribu- countryside for miles. It is cal- tion over the entire area, without any culated that the cost of restora- -Presbyterian Board News. waste through duplication of effort? tion will exceed £3,000, but the work is going forward. Nursing Schools in Iran 8. The publicity problem: How can those who sustain this Bible work be -Life of Faith. Among the best of new educa- kept informed of the needs of this tional enterprises in Iran are area, without antagonizing those Illiterate "Carries On" the nursing schools. Recently in groups which constitute the obstacles Teheran and in Tabriz and already mentioned? A native Christian, passing Meshed nursing schools have through a village, found a conbeen opened for teaching the -Bible Society Record. vert holding an open-air meetscientific and practical funda- ing on his own, with a congrementals of nursing, the care of INDIA-BURMA-SIAM gation of over forty caste men children, etc. The program has Moslem Increase listening intently. He was tellbeen approved and comprises a ing them: course of two years for girls According to The World Towith a 9th class certificate. It day, Moslems in India have in- "It is only recently that I have is designed both for educated creased during the past decade found this Saviour, but oh, the girls and for those women who by 2,500,000. The total Moslem joy and peace He has brought wish to form good, orderly population of 77,500,000 exceeds me! You have not that joy I homes. the combined Moslem popula- know so well, for I was all these tions of Arabia, Persia, Turkey, years without it, but the Lord Miss Fulton, of the American Egypt, Syria and Palestine. In- Jesus has brought it. He has Hospital in Teheran, is in charge dian Moslems have sent their saved me. If you trust Him He in Teheran, and the Misses missionaries to Europe, Africa can and He will do the same for Wooding and Pease of the and Arne ric a and support you. There is a Book in which American Hospitals in Tabriz mosques in Berlin, London, Aus- it is all written; I wish I knew and Meshed are in charge of the tralia, Brazil and Trinidad. how to read, that I could read two other schools. its beauty for myself, but I The National Christian Coun- can't; if I could, I would read -Translation Service. cil has issued a call to the it also to you that you might see churches throughout India to for yourselves; . but most of you Problems in the Levant take part in an evangelistic can read and I can tell you where movement during the next five you can find those who have that J. Oscar Boyd, Secretary of years. This movement is inthe Levant Bible Agency, lists tended to center in the church in Book." eight special difficulties that each locality, not in the mission. Just then, round the corner, confront missionaries who seek It will seek to enlist all Christo make the Bible known in tians in one great army of evan- came the native C h r i s t ian. "Bible lands." These are: gelistic volunteers, each bring- "There," eagerly shouted the ing their own special gifts to the caste man, "I wanted you to see 1. The racial problem: How can the task of witness bearing. the words in the Book itself, but Bible be released from historical as- I could not show it to you; but sociation with hated or despised races? Leper Colony Devastated God has sent this friend with His Book to come to my help and 2. The political problem: How can A cyclone last November prac- for your good. Friend, show a book be widely circulated where tically levelled to the ground the police forbid Bible colportage, and buildings of the Bapatla Leper even call the Bible subversive litera- Colony, where nearly 200 lepers ture? in various stages of the disease are cared for by the Salvation 3. The ecclesiastical problem: How Army. Letters from officers can the vernacular Scriptures find stationed at the Colony describe
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
them the words in the Book; let The Bible as Literature who have been trained at the them read for themselves, for Indian scholars often acknowl- School, 58 per cent are working they are words whereby I have edged indebtedness to the Bible, on farms, and 88 per cent are lived," and showing the Scrip- both for language and ideas. engaged in service of some kind tures as they talked, they con- Mr. M. R. Jayakar, in a recent for the rural community. tinued their testimony. address on "The Place of Eng- lish in Indian Education" advo- -New York Times. -Life of Faith. cated the study of English lit- erature, and said that there were Christian Leper Clinics Interest in the Villages in Siam The Christian evangelist who two characteristics of English Only about 5 per cent of is touring India's villages is literature well worth study, its Siam's lepers are treated in hoskeenly aware of a swing of in- simplicity and sweetness. Then pitals, so that thousands must he said, "For acquiring that ex- be reached in some other way. terest toward rural areas. There In recent years clinics have been are those on the move who have cellence, one book I would recom- opened in 18 centers, where inpolitical, economic, social or re- mend to you, namely, the Bible. jections are given by former pa- Do not abhor the New Testa- tients at the Leper Asylum at ligious ends to serve. He meets ment because it is the religious Chiengmai. There are over 500 many coming and going, and book of your rulers. Your presi- patients now being treated in dent just quoted a little sentence has discovered two things in re- from the Bible, and you noticed these centers; the only cost ingards to his own work. There how it stood out of the rest of volved is that of the medicines is more interest, and more op- the speech like a little j eweI. To that are supplied free. The only position than has been the rule. this, day, the Bible holds the requirement is that full reports He is having men of all types, be kept and that the patients be field, as being the simplest com- regular in attendance. The reeducated and from among the position in the English language, sponsibility for operating the lowliest, who come to him asking for information about the and I cannot do better than clinics falls on the people of the Christian religion. Probably recommend its study." community. Christian services Christian ministers have had more requests for immediate -United Church Review.
baptism from educated persons are held at every clinic, mostly within the last two years than Rural Reconstruction directed by Christian lepers.
during five or ten years pre- American Baptist mISSIOn- -Presbyterian Banner. viously. aries at Pyinmana, Burma, took Christians Learn to Read to farming in 1917 and acquired CHINA five acres to grow sugar cane, Westminster Catechism and rear pigs and poultry. The R .td It is possible to be a Christian, venture prospered and in 1918 eprm e and a good one, without being fifteen acres of rice land were Because the original transla- able to read the Bible, but Chris- added. In 1922 the Government tion by Dr. C. W. Mateer is now tian leaders in India don't believe in risking it. Indian vil- of Burma acquired 180 more out of print a revised edition of lagersl mostly come from low or outcaste groups, where educa- acres and leased them to the the Westminster Shorter Catetional privileges are conspicuous by their absence. One village m iss ion for an agricultural chism is soon to appear in Chi- Christian in 20 in the Punjab school, which was opened in nese. Dr. W. M. Hayes undercan read. That is a good many per cent better than his non- 1923 with an enrolment of 35; . took this work at the request of Christian neighbors' records. in 1932 it had risen to 104. The the Kwang Hseuh Publishing school is a happy instance of co- House, in collaboration with his operation between Government Chinese and missionary col- and the Mission. leagues on the faculty of the Moga School is making it pos- It is the rule at Pyinmana North China Theological Semsible to improve that percentage that the students in the Agricul- inary. After months of work by at once by issuing a series of tural School should spent three individual faculty members, the simple readers in Urdu, for Be- full days a week in practical whole faculty sat in daily sesginners and Primary children. field work. The farm is no mere sion for over a week during sum- This year, 15,000 copies of the' demonstration plot; it runs into mer vacation to finish the job. books were sold. Mission and 150 acres, of which 80 acres are Where all could not agree, the government schools throughout given to rice, while maize, sugar translation to be used was chosen the Punj ab and the Central and cane, vegetable gardening and by a majority vote. United Provinces have adopted fruit farming combine to utilize The revisers are guided by the them. They have been trans- the remaining 70 acres. Other following rules: lated into Hindi, and requests agricultural accessories are 107 Accuracy in t ran s I at in g have been received for permis- head of cattle, 144 pigs and 200 thought of the original; sim- sion to translate them into three fowls. Products to the value of plicity of Mandarin style; con- other important languages used Rs. 11,000 were sold from the formity to Scripture phraseology in India. -Monday Morning. farm last year. Of the students as far as possible; uniformity
of expression in question and pioneer of Baptist Missions to tuition for the next term. This answer as aid to memory. China, Lewis Shuck, began work year the highest average was at- a hundred years ago. tained by a pupil in the sixth There is a large demand in grade from a well-to-do family, the Chinese Church for the Reviews of a century of evan- quite able to pay her way. The Shorter Catechism and in one gelistic, educational, medical and student who was second is from "field" alone there is a waiting philanthropic work revealed the a very poor family and someorder for 2,000 copies. times it was feared she did not following facts: even have enough to eat. She -Christian Science Monitor. had had been working very hard, Number of students in Chris- hoping to win first place, other- Letter from Madame Chiang wise she would not be able to tian Schools (1877) ….. 5,900 return to school. When the Mrs. David Tappan, of the winner heard of this she imme- American Presbyterian Mission Number of students in Chris- diately said she would pay her at Hainan, received a letter from tuition, and thus enable the poor Madame Chiang Kai-shek re- tian Schools (1935) ….. 200,000 girl to come in on the free garding missionary cooperation scholarship. in the "New Life Movement." Number of students in Chris- Madame Chiang's observations Mobilizing Against Leprosy are equally applicable to the tian Colleges (1900) ….. 164 Western world. Here is her Dr. W. W. Cadbury, writing message: Number of students in Chris- for Leper News, thinks that one of the most encouraging move- Deeply appreciatin~ the great sac- tian Universities (1935) .. 6,696 ments of recent years is the rifies made by those members of the organization in 1926 of the' Chimissionary body who have elected to Proportion of Christian stu- nese Mission to Lepers, with serve in China, Generalissimo Chiang dents in Christian Colleges 41 % headquarters in Shanghai, di- Kai-shek and I have naturally sought rected by a group of able their cooperation in connection with Proportion of Christian stu- Chinese. Largely through the the New Life Movement. The prin- efforts of the members of this ciples of this Movement coincide so dents in Christian Middle Chinese Mission, two National closely with the work which the Leprosy Conferences have been Church is doing to ameliorate the lot Schools …………….. 33% held, the first in 1932, and the of the common man that there is second in 1935. This indigenous abundant room for the closest coop- In Canton there is a Baptist movement, if properly promoted €ration. church with over 2,000 mem- and organized, can be counted on bers, a middle school for boys, in the future to help meet the But unless the New Life Movement which with its primary students situation in that country. enjoys the cooperation of the women numbers 3,600, a middle school it cannot really be effective, because for girls with 700 students, a Dr. Cadbury says that when the four virtues upon which it is theological training school with he first went to China it was based should be inculcated when chil- over eighty students, and a reported to him that in one dis dren are being brought un in the home trict the magistrate, bent on ridand in the school. Simply stated these school for the blind with seventy ding the area of the scourge, virtues are honesty, courtesy, duty women residents. Practically erected a mat shed and invited towards others and towards oneself, the whole of this work is sup- all the lepers to a banquet. kindliness and obedience, as well as ported by Chinese funds, and Opium and wine were liberally true humility, or modesty of snirit. the leadership is almost entirely dispensed. Before the feast These are the pillars upon which the was over the building was set Movement is based. in Chinese ha:qds. on fire and soldiers stationed around it prevented the escape I would urge that the missionaries, Black Miao Christian of any of the unfortunates until especially the women's organizations, all were killed. He was also told strive to do more home work among Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Allbutt that in the province of Yunnan Chinese women, because the old con- went to work among the black when a leper reaches an adcepts of womanly behavior have been Miao in Kweichow seven years vanced stage, he is given a feast, languishing and there has been a ago. Mr. Allbutt writes in with abundance of wine to make tendency for a distorted view of China's Millions: him somewhat sleepy. A fresh western ideas of what is seeming and grave is dug. The victim is then proper to develop in the Chinese mind. A woman in our village has just wrapped in the skin .of a buffalo With the impact of Western ideas be- come to believe on the Lord. She is cow, recently killed, and buried coming sharper and more realistic it learning to read and is doing nicely. alive. is difficult for the Chinese woman to She came around the other day to ask know what is truly representative of Mrs. Allbutt to teach her, saying, "I In another province a friend western culture and life, and what is got very lonely with only unbelievers of Dr. Cadbury petitioned a harmful. around me." This weaning away magistrate for a gift of money from the world is a healthly sign in (Signed) a new believer.
MAYLING SOONG CHIANG. Once her boy fell into the river, but came out unhurt. The neighDors Baptist Centennial insisted that he had lost one of his souls, and that she should kill a duck Baptists in China have been to retrieve it. She did not know if celebrating the completion of a obeying them would be in accord with century of effort. The meetings the "Jesus doctrine," so she came were held at Canton, for it was around to ask. She was told to have in the near neighborhood, at nothing to do with the works of the Macao and Hongkong, that the devil-for such a practice is nothing less than demon-worship. The woman went back home happy to know the will of the Lord, and steadfastly with- stood the temptings of her neighbors.
Showing the Christian Spirit The student in Soochow Girls' School making the highest aver- age for the term is given free
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to aid in his relief work for traffic increases continually; at Home Office to approve the ex- ,lepers. The magistrate's reply night the main street is lighted penditure of twenty million yen by electric bulbs, and officials of over a period of 20 years to pro- was that he would give him $5.00 the various offices now communi- mote the health insurance sys- for every leper he shot! cate with each other by tele- tem in rural as well as urban phone. Lou d speakers are communities throughout Japan. Women Prepare for Nation erected in different parts of the Building city where people stand and -The Christian Century. listen to divers kinds of music, Mrs. Wai K. T. Chik, dean of together with lectures and in- Study Tour Planned women at Lingnan University, struction on matters regarded Canton, is in New York for a as important to the citizens. The American People's Col- year's study at Teachers' Col- The town now has dispensaries lege of New York is planning a lege. Lingnan is China's pio- and well – equipped hospitals study tour of Japan and part of neer coeducational school. "Only staffed by good Russian doctors China on a cooperative basis, three years ago," says Mrs. and even has a capable Russian particularly to observe and study Chik, "our new girls' dormitory woman dentist. It·is amazing the work of Kagawa at first was completed. We then had so to be met at the hospital door by hand in his own country. This few girl students that when we a white-uniformed Staff Sister tour is projected as a result of moved into the new building, it and, looking through the glass Kagawa's visit to the United seemed a great, empty space. partition, to see patients lying States last year. Social condi- Now, with 130 girl students, in clean beds in the wards. tions, labor movements, coopera- every room is occupied and we tive developments, international have to house ten of them in an- Illiteracy is being dealt with, relationships, and the influence other building. and there are now schools where of the Christian religion will be not only Chinese, but Tartars, the especial subjects of stUdy. "I do not think that people in Noghais, Mongols, Russians and The group expects to visit Yoko- America realize the speed at Turkis may each study in their hama, Tokyo, Nikko, Miya Nos- which China is going forward own tongue. In short, stand- hita, Kobe, Kyoto, Keijo, Muk- today, and how eager our youth ards are being raised from year den, Peiping and Shanghai. are to do their part in national to year. Consignments of Rus- rebuilding. One of my prob- sian Scriptures have arrived, -Christian Century. lems has been to make some of and are greatly appreciated. our eager, ambitious girls slow Ideals Not Enough up. I have to caution them that -China's Millions. they must not neglect their Rev. H. G. Piercy, C. M. S. _ _health. We have five girls who JAPAN-CHOSEN worker, in emphasizing the im- have graduated in agriculture. portance of continued and ade- The domestic science course has Kagawa's Return Celebrated quate missionary effort in J a- the largest number of girls en- pan, says: rolled. Then comes science, so- Dr. Kagawa was honored ciology and education. Ten with a great welcome dinner at A study of world politics at the American girl students live in the Tokyo Y. M. C. A., when he present time is sufficient to show the our dormitory. These are ex- returned from his trip to the great part that Japan is destined to change students from Stanford, U. S. The Kagawa Fellowship, play in the near future in world af- Oregon and Pennsylvania Uni- composed largely of mission- fairs. . . . The question is: What versities." aries sympathetic with, and co- sort of influence will Japan's be as operating with Kagawa, also she takes her place increasingly in in- Mrs. Chik believes that the gave a reception for him in his ternational life? Will her influence Christian colleges in China have own settlement in Honjo, at be such as to advance and further the a special contribution to make in which more than 200 foreign Kingdom of Christ, or to hinder its national rebuilding. "The Chris- guests were present to welcome coming? Christian forces in Japan tian faith is a stabilizing in- Kagawa back, to greet his wife are making their influence felt, and fluence," she says. "It helps to who carries on so ably in his ab- Christian ideals are also penetrating build character and personality sences, and to inspect the new from outside. But it is not the in- and these are needed in our cooperative kitchen unit of the fluence of ideals which will bring the great movement." Honjo settlement. Kingdom of Christ in Japan or any- w.here else, but the life of the Church -New York Times. Dr. Kagawa's health is better which is His Body, and His chosen than it has been for some time. and commissioned instrument for the Changes in Urumtsi In spite of the heavy evangelis- proclaiming of His Gospel. It is thus tic program he has already the building up of that Church in this Misses Mildred Cable, Evan- undertaken, he finds time daily land which is of paramount impor- geline and Francesca French, for writing on two novels and tance – in numbers, no doubt, but intrepid workers for the China other literature. He is also above all in faith and depth of spir- Inland Mission, in a letter writ- working to bring to realization itual life. ten from Urumtsi, Sinkiang, an important health project, and tell of vast improvement since has succeeded in inducing" the -Life of Faith. their previous visit. Motor Church Dedicated in Kyoto An event of international in- terest was the dedication of the new Church of the Resurrection
in Kyoto last October. This visitor had given him. This, he Soembawa, were without a wit- parish had its beginning over proudly explained, was the out- ness for Christ.
30 years ago. fit which he usually wore when 5. Little has yet been done The Governor of Kyoto pre- traveling with the government for the millions on Celebes.
fecture graciously came in per- official. Mr. Dixon observes that 6. Until 1929, East Borneo son and delivered a speech of the prime requirements of a was unoccupied. Alliance miscongratulation and good wishes. pioneer missionary, after the sionaries have led 2,000 Dyak~ Speeches were made by 11 other spiritual, are: a good physique, to accept Christ.
dignitaries, including the Bishop plenty of zeal, determination 7. In addition to the above of the diocese and a member of and a sense of humor. there are countless other islands the Japanese Diet, who is also throughout this vast Dutch col- chairman of the parish social Bibles for Pitcairn Island ony, where as yet no missionary service patrons' association. The 140 great – great – great- work has been attempted. Parts The present land and build- grandchildren of the "Bounty" of the interior of New Guinea, otherwise known as Papua, have ings have so far cost 94,122.03 mutineers on Pitcairn Island are not even been explored. yen, of which, through the rec- looking forward to the arrival tor's efforts, a considerable part of a shipment of Bibles, the first -R. A. Jaffray. has been raised in Japan. The they have received since 1848. investment represents the con- The National Bible Society of MISCELLANEOUS certed efforts of a large group Scotland, which eighty – eight of people both in Japan and in years ago provided the Bibles An African Film the United States, and both now disintegrating, is sending a Christian and non-Christian. new copy for every man, woman A three-reel silent 16 mm. Its activities have the interest and child on this island, midway motion picture film has been and sympathy of both govern- produced under the auspices of ment authorities and the com- between South America and the Harmon Foundation and munity. -The Living Church. Australia, two square miles in under the supervision of Rev. area. Prior to 1848, the only Emory Ross, Secretary of the ISLANDS OF THE SEA American Committee on Work Bible on the island was one in the Congo and formerly a mis- brought ashore from a ship- sionary in Africa. This reel re- Pioneering Among Dyaks wreck. -Literary Digest. views the history of the African continent, its physical character- H. A. Dixon writes in The The "Uttermost Parts" istics, religious beliefs and meth- Pioneer of a trip to carry the Gospel to the Benoea tribe of Few realize the extent of Hol- ods of life. Some of the effects Dyaks. Sometimes it was neces- land's possessions in the East of industrialization are depicted sary to walk for hours in the India Archipelago. The total as a challenge to Christian misrain, and in the tropics it pours, population of islands under the sions. The film reveals the treeven more than the proverbial Dutch flag approximates 65,- mendous need of Africa and will "Morton's salt." Chinese paper 000,000. To several millions, be of special interest and value umbrellas were soon in shreds; no missionary has yet been sent. in the mission study circles swollen streams had to be Until recent years, no work had which are taking up this subject forded, steep and slippery moun- been started in the following during the present year. For tains crossed. seven distinct areas: further information write to Informal services were held 1. The lower half of Sumatra, Harmon Foundation, 140 Nassau in twelve villages. Some of the all south of the equator, is prac- Street, New York, N. Y. people seemed intensely inter- tically an. unoccupied field. The ested and eag.erly asked ques- extreme north of Sumatra is also Missions in Four Stages tions, others were openly hos- unreached. The Courier Mistile to the message. One chief, sion started a work in South Dr. Harry W. Fonger, Secre- tary of the American Bible Sowho also holds the unique posi- Sumatra in 1933. tion of medicine man or priest, 2. The islands of Bangka, ciety in the Philippine Islands, . was especially antagonistic. The Billiton, and 200 smaller sur- says that while the aim of misreason was obvious. Should his rounding islands, and the Riouw sions has not changed, the methpeople become Christian, he Archipelago are without a Gos- ods vary according to countries could no longer deceive them, his pel witness, except for one Chi- and conditions.
position and income would be nese missionary. We can trace most missionary work lost. 3. West Borneo, inhabited by through at least three or four stages.
Arriving at another village, tens of thousands of Dyaks, is In the first, the missionary worked the chief came out in all his re- another great unoccupied field. alone. Later, he trained the nationals galia to "show off" for the bene- The Alliance Mission has one of the country to which he went and fit of the missionary. His para- missionary couple commencing sent them out. In the third stage the missionary worked with those na- phernalia consisted of pajamas, work there. tionals in a spirit of close cooperation. an ancient felt hat, green tinted 4. Until a few years ago the We seem now to be entering a fourth eyeglasses, his best knife, and a stage in which the missionary is workthermos bottle, which a former three islands immediately east ing in large measure under the direc- of Java, Bali, Lombok, and tion of the nationals.
'~I–===-=—-='='="""""""''''''''''''''''=~'==========''I'~
[ Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,==-=-=-======~=======~_,~1- One Hundred Years. By Arthur Jud- Everywhere the Presbyterian This notable record includes son Brown. Maps and Statistics. Church has supplied a leadership a wide range of information re- Vol., one. Books, two. 1,140 pp. that has placed the whole Church garding circumstances that have $8. Fleming H. Revell Co., New of Christ under peculiar obliga- affected the missionary work of York. 1936. tions. all denominations, the peoples and the religious and social, eco- The sub-title interprets the With its seven Missions dis- nomic and political conditions tributed over the whole of of the great mission fields in main title: "A History of the China, its three in the north and Asia, Africa and South Amer- Foreign Missionary Work of the west of India, its original two ica. The author has opened up spread over the full length of the rich fields of investigation and Presbyterian Church in the two great Islands of Japan, the missionaries of the Presbyterian has amassed a vast fund of val- U. S. A.; with Some Account of Church have naturally influenced uable information. His intro- the peoples and policies of those ductory chapters are peculiarly Countries, Peoples and the Poli- three great intellectual nations cies and Problems of Modern of Asia and the missionaries of valuable to church historians Missions." This is a high aim, other Churches working in those and administrators: First Misbut it has been realized with lands. Similarly the mission- sionary Societies, Founding and singular faithfulness and abil- aries working more alone, as in Development of the Board, Rise ity. In very truth, this is the Persia, Syria, Siam, Korea, and Development of Woman's record of Acts of Apostles of Brazil, and comparatively, in the the 19th and 20th centuries and, Philippines, have made large Boards and Societies. This last as the "Acts" of the first cen- and fundamental contributions chapter pays a high and most tury was fortunate in its author, to the building up of the so this record is fortunate in its Churches of Christ in those deserved tribute to the large and chronicler. It is reminiscent of areas. effective and sustaining part the classic history of English taken in missionary work from Missions, "The History of the Dr. Brown makes it very the beginning by the women of Church Missionary Society," by all churches. Eugene Stock. plain in these great Chapters The chapters on China, India, The Presbyterian Board of that the Presbyterian Board and Japan, will especially draw Foreign Missions has been one the attention of all those interof the major factors in the and missionaries alike have ested in the building up of the worldwide extension of the Kingdom of Christ in non-Chris- Christian Church. Its Centenary hewed to the line that leads to tian lands. It is easy to see that is to be commemorated this year. the author's three great loves The missionary enterprise of the Indigenous Church. The are: the Missionary, the Indigethis Church has been spread nous Church and Cooperation over the great continents of statistics at the end of this vol- and Union. His advocacy in Asia, Africa and South America these three major interests is and the wisdom and daring of ume give an impressive illustra- telling. He surrounds the main the planters have been equalled thought of each of these notable by those of the cultivators. tion of this fact. This is per- chapters with so much of infor- mation about country and peo- The Missions of this Church haps the natural outcome of the ple and national movements. It fall naturally into two classes: is wide observation, keen insight those in the great mission fields aim of Missions as, in season of China, India, Japan and and wise counsel. Africa where the other mission- and out of season, this Board has Dr. Brown's last chapter, Surary-minded Churches of Europe and America are also repre- emphasized; to make Jesus vey and Outlook, is masterly. sented, and those in Persia, Christ known in the non-Chris- There is much in its content for Syria, Siam, Korea and parts tian world, with a view to the strong mIssIOnary addresses; of Latin America where the building up of churches, self- much of insight, vision, courage Presbyterian Church has worked supporting, self-governing and and well founded hope and exalmost alone, or so much so as self-propagating, through which pectation. It is a stirring presto constitute a unique work. Christianity shall become nat- entation. uralized and nationalized. To this great end the three depart- ments of missionary activity- Evangelistic, Educational and Medical- have been distinctly contributing.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIJlW publishers on receipt of price [111 ]
The Presbyterian Church has sage of such men as Columba, change. But the things that Columbanus, Augustine, Willibeen fortunate in the chronicler brord, Boniface, Gregory, and change are of interest and con- Anskar. of her great missionary enter- sequence, and this interest and Whether medieval missions prise. A responsible adminis- have a lesson for the enterprise consequence are greater when today is an open question. The trator for thirty-four years, a contrast with modern missions they are bound in with the things is marked in many ways. The visitor several times to the mis- staff was predominantly mascu- that do not change, as it is the line; today it is predominantly sion fields of his own and other feminine. In the Middle Ages it intent of this little volume that was financed by the State, and churches, always a keen and conversions w ere sometimes they should be. R. E. S. brought about by force through sympathetic but discriminating a dominant race, or a non-Chris- tian ruler who accepted baptism. observer, holding the pen of a The mass movements of those The China Year Book – 1936. By days were not similar, except in H. G. W. Woodhead. 18th issue. ready and persuasive writer, numbers, to the mass movements 510 pp. North China Daily News, that characterize the work in Shanghai. 1936. Price, Fifteen Dr. Brown has made this a India. Nevertheless, the devo- Chinese Dollars. tion and heroism of these aposmighty story of a mighty move- tles of Europe awakens admira- On dipping into this long fa- tion. Their missionary message miliar pUblication, the reviewer ment. centered in the doctrine of God as triune, the importance of the was tempted to read this ency- The book is well supplied with sacraments (especially b a p- clopedia of things Chinese al- tism), and the coming Judg- Maps and Appendices and a full ment. most from the first page to the last. It surely is "a mine of in- Index. As the Presbyterian The author gives a full and exceedingly valuable bibliog- formation," made ready for easy Church looks back upon its raphy. But it is unfortunate digging by means of its full that there is no comparative Story of achievement and looks chronological table. An outline Table of Contents and its co- map of medieval Europe would pious Index. Its "Standard forward to other years in the have been helpful as an aid to Chapters" are annually revised, find the names of places men- while many new chapters are future, until the Kingdom of tioned in the text, many of which prepared by experts for the cur- are unfamiliar. S. M. ZWEMER. rent volume. Numerous official Jesus Christ shall be established documents of immediate interest East and West. Edited by Basil are recorded in full. throughout the world, she will Mathews. 206 pp. $1.75. The As- sociation Press, New York. 1936. To the many in the West, who have with her and her noble of- still think that China's history is These ten papers by Nicol all in the past, a few hours spent ficers and missionaries the ad- Macnicol, Sir Frederick Whyte, with this book will bring amaze- Hendrick Kraemer, Kenneth La- ment and pleasure and will promiration and sympathy of all tourette, Ruth Woodsmall, John vide a liberal education in things R. Mott and others, were pub- Oriental. In addition to general the churches whose aim is one lished in anticipation of the information on Geography, Eth- World Conference of the Young nology, History, Language, Eduwith her own. W. 1. C. Men's Christian Association in cation, Government, Finance Mysore, India. Most of the and International Relations, The Medieval Missionary. A Study papers bear this obvious conno- there are new chapters on For- of the Conversion of Northern Eu- tation. They deal with the eign Trade, The Currency, The rope, A. D. 500-1300. By James changes which are taking place Tariff, Public Health, Railways, Thayer Addison. 176 pp. $1.25 in Asia and with the relation- Highways, Aviation, The Smug- paper. $2.00 cloth. International ships of East and West, social, Missionary Council, New York. economic, political and religious. gling Problems, The Permanent 1936. They supply a thoughtful view Constitution, The National Eco- of the contemporary situation In the Foreword to this is the under the categories of the con- nomic Council, Industrial Laws, second of a series of monographs temporary mind. Both this sit- The Radio, and an up-to-date published by the 1. M. C., Pro- uation and this mind will "Who's Who" of 650 prominent fessor Kenneth Scott Latourette living Chinese-all of which invoices the need that many have long felt for a comprehensive dicate that China is very much account of the conversion of the alive and if given half a chance peoples of western Europe. In one sense this scholarly produc- will render a good account of tion fills the need, but it is not herself. China's old religions a comprehensive his tor y of are also described and the in- Christian missions in the Middle troduction and progress of Ages such as we have in Maclear, now out of print, as well Christianity is outlined. The as out of date. Rather has Pro- consultation of many other fessor Addison given us a critical survey of medieval missions books would not supply the in five interesting chapters amount of vital information conwhich deal with the education and the motives of the mission- tained in this volume in most aries to medieval Europe; the decisive part played by rulers in accessible form. c. H. FENN. the conversion of the people; the relation between missions and monasticism; the increasing influence of the Papacy down the centuries; and, lastly, an appraisal of the content and character of the missionary mes-
of Money – A. A. Hyde of Among the ShadoW'S. By Sarah Eliz- DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS
Wichita. By George Irving. 8vo. abeth Blacklock. 251 pp. $2.00. ~ 157 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. BIBLmUTH? Co., New York. 1936. 1936. ~=:f ~ ,- ~ COUNCIL FmES -==,. True Christian stewardship is Dr. Howard A. Kelly, in his an art and a science. Albert foreword for this book, says the For Young People Alexander Hyde, of Wichita, chief reward of the medical who died on January 7, 1937, practitioner lies in the sympa- For Juuior!'; nnd I~lcrmediak& was a courageous, cheerful and thetic relations he establishes magnificent giver for he was a with his patients. The author HlPPYHOURS ~ great-hearted, large-visioned, in- seeks to portray this type of telligent steward of the wealth Christian service in the lives of entrusted to him. Once he lost two doctors, but the narrative his money but it only strength- lacks in literary quality. ened his character and clarified his vision. He recouped his H.H.F. losses, made a fortune in mentholatum and with the proceeds My Robber Captain. By C. G. Kilp- ""'~ Forthc p'im",iCS~="'= counted it a joy to promote the per. 166 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdwork of Christ by his gifts to man's Publishing Co., Grand Rap- Samples of our many causes in many lands. ids, Mich. 1936. r…."'4If Papers and Quarterlies ~ Mr. Hyde followed Andrew Here is thrilling adventure, Carnegie's prescription and died faced with faith and courage, in ' "~ sent free on request ==- ' a comparatively poor man in fi- the midst of danger and suffernancial resources because he had ing. The author was held cap- " £5T.1886 been his own executor while he tive by Chinese robbers for lived. But he was rich in faith, many months, hearing no news .' CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS INC.. in love, in friends and in good of his family and uncertain as to works. his fate. But through it all, he , .Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg!…Pa. discovered a brotherly kindness The story of his boyhood in in the robber captain. After In Mid-Atlantic. C. C. Watts. 64 New England, his pioneering his release in 1930, he again pp. 18. S. P. G. London. days in Kansas, his struggle took up his missionary work against adverse physical and under the Basel Missionary So- Living Religions and Mod ern economic conditions, his bank- ciety at Kayang, China. Thought. Albon G. Widgery. ruptcy, his return to prosperity $2.50. 306 pp. Round Table Press. and his Christian stewardship H. H. F. New York. -all this is told effectively in this authorized biography. Mr. In Mid-Atlantic. By Rt. Rev. C. C. Missions in Magazines. Ortha May Irving was one of his trusted Watts. 64 pp. Is. Society for the Lane. Tientsin Press, Ltd. Tientand loved friends in the Y. M. Propagation of the Gospel. Lon- sin, China. C. A., the organization through don. 1936. which most of Mr. Hyde's benev- Frank Mason North, 1850-1935. A olence found expression. Con- This little volume contains the Biographical Sketch by His Friends. tact with the man in life, and with his life story in print, is substance of lectures by the Pastor and People. O. C. S. Wallace. Bishop of St. Helena, addressed 125 pp. $1.25. Broadman Press. deeply stirring and richly re- Nashville. to passengers who visited St. warding. One is fortunate to be Helena. The lectures are pub- The Restraining Hand. R. A. Boss- hardt. 288 pp. $1.00. China Inable to live and think with such lished in the hope of stirring a land Mission. Toronto and Phil- adelphia. a character, even for an hour. sympathetic concern for the The Sunshiners. Isabel Platt. 192 Island's people. H. H. F. pp. lB. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. We Sing America. By Marion Cuth- New Books bert. 117 pp. Illustrated by a Twelve Wonderful Women. E. H. graduate of Howard University. An Advancing Church in Latin Amer- Farrance. 96 pp. lB. Pickering Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. ica. Kenneth G. Grubb. 80 pp. Is. & Inglis. London. Friendship Press, New York. 1936. World Dominion Press. London. Twelve Marvellous Men. E. E. These stories for children Among the Shadows. Sarah Eliza- Enock. 94 pp. 18. Pickering & beth Blacklock. 251 pp. $2.00. Inglis. London. under twelve are full of factual Revell. New York. Tangled Waters. Florence Crennell material which paves the way to The Doctor's Best Love Story. Means. $2.00. Houghton Mifilin. Walter L. Wilson. 127 pp. B. I. C. New York. an understanding of the prob- Assn. Chicago. The Untouchables' Quest. Godfrey lems American Negroes must East and West. Basil Mathews. 206 Phillips. 95 pp. 40 cents. Edin- pp. $1.75. Assn. Press. New burgh House Press, London; Misface. There are also good York. sionary Education Movement, New York. sketches of Negro men and wom- The Hindu Jajmani System. W. H. Wiser. 192 pp. Lucknow Pub. World Treasure Trails – A f ric a. en who have achieved distinction House. Lucknow, India. Nellie A. Reed. 127 pp. 50 cents and $1.00. Women's Missionary Soin literature, music, the fine arts, Home Life and the Bible. Emma ciety, Free Methodist Church, Wi- Williams Gill. 189 pp. $1.25. nona Lake, Ind. science, education and the pro- Broadman Press. Nashville. Why South America? A. Stuart Mcfessions. H. H. F. Nairn. 145 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall Morgan & Scott. London.
The Cross of Christ the Throne of God. F. J. Huegel. 192 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, Morgan & Scott. London.
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The Missionary Review of the World — June 1936
1936
?2e QmefticaK 9ftO ?2umbeft BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS Charles H. Wesley HELPS AND HINDRANCES TO PROGRESS Reverdy C. Ransom TWO GENERATIONS SINCE EMANCIPATION Monroe N. Work SOME OUTSTANDING NEGRO CHRISTIANS Channing H. Tobias THE GREATEST NEED OF THE NEGRO C. L. Hill DANIEL PAYNE: CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR Josephus R. Coan NEGRO YOUTH AND THE CHURCH TODAY Martin L. Harvey WHAT NEGROES ARE DOING FOR NEGROES L. L. Berry EXPERIENCE IN WORK WITH NEGROES Frederick L. Brownlee OTHER LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE John Little NEGRO YOUTH CHALLENGES WHITE YOUTH J. S. Ledbetter 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a YeaT
to Remember Mt. lAke Park, Md.–July 10-16. eial weekly periodical of the Meth-
Mrs. B. H. Sincell, 103 2d St., odist Episcopal Church, is one of a June 4-9-General Synod of the Re- Oakland, Md. number of Advocates published in dif- formed Church in America. Ro- ferent parts of the country with a chester, N. Y. Northfield, Mass.–July 6-14. total circulation of 170,000. Dr. Joy Miss Amy Ogden Welcher, 796 is seventy-two years of age, having June 10-17 – Ann u a I Conference, Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn. been born in Groton, Mass., and was Church of the Brethren. Hershey, graduated from Yale University in Pa. Southern California (Los Angeles)- 1885. He is still in good health and September 21-25. wields an effective pen. His successor, June 16-24-General Council of Con- Mrs. H. M. Horn, 1965 Carmen Dr. Harold Paul Sloan, was elected at gregational and Christian Churches. Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, ., . . the Quadrennial Conference of the Mass. Warren, Ohio-October 6-7. Mrs. George Konold, 314 Scott Methodist Church held in Columbus, June 23-28-Christian Youth Council St., N. E., Warren, Ohio. Ohio, early in May. of North America. Lakeside, Ohio. Rev. F. W. S. O'Neill, missionary Winona lAke, lnd.–June 24-30. in Manchuria since 1897, will be the June 27-July 4-Geneva Summer Mrs. Lulu C. Hunter, 1021 So. moderator of the general assembly of School for Missions. Lake Geneva, Elmwood Ave., Oak Park, Ill. the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Wisconsin. this year. Mr.- O'Neill is the author The Gospel in Print of several books which are a distinct June 29-July 10 – Indian Missionary contribution to missionary literature. Conference and Annual Meeting of Sound Evangelical Literature the National Fellowship of Indian for the Million ••• Workers. College of Agriculture, Rev. William C. Kerr, who has Madison, Wis. Books, Pamphlets, Tracts and Wall Mottoes served as Presbyterian missionary in Jor .11 .g••, cl……nd n••d., also Seoul, Korea, for 18 years, has been July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday' Bibles, Testllments, Gospel "portions" honored with the decoration of "the School Convention. Oslo, Norway. fourth order of merit with the sacred lind Hymn Books. CI. Suppli•• Eor Chri.- treasure" by Emperor Hirohito of July 9-August 12-Winona Latte' Japan. School of Theology. Winona Lake, ti.n Worlc.r.-colporters and eVllngelists ••• Ind. Rev. Nelson Bitton retired on April .specillily. CI. Book Mi..ion.ri•• w.nt.d 30th from office as Home Secretary August 16-23-World Missions'Insti- of the London Missionary Society tute, Chautauqua, New York. in every community, for entire or pllrt time; fllir finllncilll remunerlltion. CI. Work after thirty-eight years' service as missionary and secretary. One of the CONFERENCES AND SCHOOLS Jound.d by D. L. MOODY in 189lJ. special'services he rendered was his OF MISSIONS -Th. M….g•• oJ Good Book. H.v.r visit to Samoa in 1932. Other activi- Die.- ties included participation in the Affiliated with the Council of Women L. M. S. China Council, the Anti- for Home Missions and the Com- Write to", Opium Campaign, associate editorship mittee on Women's Work, For- of the Chinese Recorder, as well as the eign Missions Conference Bibl. Inll:. Colportag. AII'n work of the Christian Literature So- • ciety of China. • • Baltimore, Md.-October 19-21. 843 N. w.n., Chic.go Mrs. David D. Baker, 410 N. Cal- Per.onal Item. Dr. David McConaughey, vicehoun St., Baltimore, M,d. chairman of the World's Stewardship Dr. M. T. Rankin. missionary Bethesda, Ohio–July 20-24. teacher in the Graves Theological Union, is now in Europe, having been Seminary at Canton, China, has been invited to address a series of steward- Miss Mary I. Scott, 310 Tomlin- elected secretary for the Orient of the shi:p "clinics" with church leaders in son Ave., Moundsville, W. Va. Southern Baptist Board, to serve as SWItzerland, France and Great Brit- a connecting link between the mis- Boulder, Colorado-June21-27. ain. Among the other gatherings he • • sioJts and the Board. is to speak on stewardship before the Mrs. Henry F. Hoffman, 741 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Adams St., Denver, Colo. • Church of Scotland.
Cha,utauqua, N. Y.-Institute of Dr. Roy G. Ross, a missionary sec- World Missions (August 16-23). retary of the Disciples' Church, has been elected executive secretary of the Mrs. F. C. Reynolds, 309 Wood- International Council of Religious land Road, Roland Park, Baltimore, Md. … Education, to fill the position made Eaglesmere, Pa.–June26-July 3. vacant by the resilPlation of Dr. Hugh THAT TEACH Mrs. E. B. Breeding, 24 Rugby S. Magill. Lane, Scarsdale, N. Y. THE BIBLE , Used in thousands of Sunday Schools Houston, Te~~ – September 28:" Oc- where leaders believe in the inspira- tober 2. ' , Miss Lillian Nichols, head of Hols- tion of God's Word. ton Institute, Songdo, Korea, has been Dean – Mrs. A. B. Hynes, 618 cited for 26 years of meritorious serv- FREE PROSPECTUS of department Highland, Houston, Texas. ice to this Methodist School. in which you are interested and sam- ple lessons (Graded or Uniform) will lAke Geneva, Wis.–June 27-Jrily 4. *•* be sent on request. Desk MR-6. Mrs. T. A. Freeman, 427 Green- wood Ave., Evanston, Ill. Dr. James R. Joy, for 21 years Editor of The Christian Advocate of Minnesota, (Minneapolis,-St. Pa'l!-l)- the Methodist Episcopal Church, and September 21-25. ' previously eleven years assistant edi- tor under the late Dr. James M. Bulk- Ex. Sec. – Mrs. C. E. Heard,' ley, has announced his retirement 3020 Colfax Ave., Minneapolis, from editorial work on June 1st. Dr. Minn. Joy has held a position of large re- sponsibility and wide influence in the Mt. Hermon, Calif.-July '25-Aug- church. His paper, which is the omust 1. '
Mrs. N. J. Forsberg, 325 Dorantes Ave., San Francisco, Calif.
MISSIONARY Obituary
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Mrs. Dan Crawford, widow of the .When your Call DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor famous Central Africa missionary who was author of "Thinking Black" comes from the East … VOL. LIX JUNE, 1936 No.6 and other volumes, died on April 13th. Mrs. Crawford went out with her SAIL BY P&O Publication and Business Office- husband 37 years ago to Luanza, Cen- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tral Africa, and there did effective Choose the convenient and traditional pioneer work. She was a wise coun- way, to whatever part of the East the Editorial and Executive Office- cillor and a remarkably able worker work of the Faith may take you … to 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. in Bi10le schools and in Gospel evan- Egypt, Sudan, the Persian Gulf, India, Entered as second-class matter at gelism which helped to transform so Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, many lives. The work is still carried China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under on as an independent mission, most East or South Africa. Just cross to Act of March 3, 1879. of the workers being associated with England by Cunard White Star and the Plymouth Brethren. sail from there in any Liner of the 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. great P & 0 fleet … including the new Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. *** sister-ships Strathnaver, Strathaird Published monthly, except August. and Strathmore. You'll enjoy the ut- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. Dr. John C. Berry, distinguished most comfort of this western world, British agents – Marshall, Morgan medical missionary to Japan, who in- all the way East! and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, troduced the first trained nurse into London, E. C. 1 shilling pel' copy, that country, died in Worcester, Convenient through bookings can be arranged 10 shillings a year. Mass., February 8th, at the age of 89. by your local travel agent or any office of In addition to his medical work, Dr. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Berry was instrumental in effecting CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE LISHING CO., INC. a comprehensive and permanent work of prison reform in Japan. At a re- General Agents BOARD OF DIRECTORS cent convention of social workers in 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, New York ROBERT E. SPEER, President Tokyo, attended by 3,000 delegates, he A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vioo-President was hailed as the "Founder of Social WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer Service in the Nation." DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary Dr. Judson C*. K* ing*, Baptist med- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT ical missionary in the Belgian Congo, WILLIAM I. C'HAMBERL,oUN died March 27th, at Sona Bata. The crowning achievement of his mission- D. J. FANT ary service was the founding of Sona MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Bata Medical School in 1932.
WM. B. LIPPHARD J ames Cruic*ksh*ank*, of Cairo, as- Emc M. NORTH sistant to the Chief Mechanical Engi- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER neer of the Egyptian Railways, died February 10th. Mr. Cruickshank was Editorial Chat (Conc:uded on 3d Cover.) Here is our special number on the American Negro. It has food for The Presbyt:erian thought and prayer. Our readers will appreciate the ready response of the A weekly religious newspaper in authors who have contributed these papers in response to our invitation. . its lo6th year of continuous pub- It will lend additional interest if the reader can try to distinguish, from lication under the same name. the style and spirit and thoughts expressed, which are white of skin. It It is conservative and evangelwill be seen that color is only skin deep, provided that the soul has not ical, gets its news by telegraph been oppressed or embittered by injustice or lack of opportunity. and keeps abreast of the times.
Some of the important promised It goes into every state of the articles, we regret to say, have not reached us in time to be included. Union, the District of Columbia, These may be looked for in later issues of THE REVIEW. These articles and U. S. possessions. are intended to supp:ement the textbooks published by the Missionary It goes to Asia and Africa, South Education Movement for adults, young people and children of various America, Canada and New Zealand grades. They offer a large and rich and into twelve countries of ~u assortment. rope. *** Subscription Price, – BOUND VOLUMES WANTED Ministerial Rate, The library of Emory University, 50c. extra—Canadian postage Emory, Georgia, asks for the follow- $1.00 extra—Foreign postage ing numbers of THE REVIEW to complete its files: THE PRESBYTERIAN November and December, 1925. 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. January, February, May, July, 1926. January, 1927. December, 1929.
They might be interested to secure the entire years 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1929 in bound volumes.
Kindly write to Miss Elizabeth Royer, Librarian, Emory University, Emory, Georgia.
[273 ]
"Harper's Weekly" Drawing by 801
TYPICAL SCENE FROM NEGRO' CAMP MEETING IN THE SOUTH SIXTY YEARS AGO'
EAGER SEARCH FO'R KNO'WLEDGE~LO'RIMElR SCHOO'L, ED~STO' ISLAND, SO'UTH CARO'LINA EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS AMONG AMERICAN NEGROES REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1936 Topics of the Times OUR INTEREST IN THE NEGRO The Negro is a living soul made capable of re- ceiving the impress of the likeness of Christ. There are more Negroes in the United States What then is the great hindrance to Negro dethan comprise the population of Egypt or Ethio- velopment in America? Undoubtedly it is racial pia or Siam. Many of these Negroes are as poor, prejudice and discrimination. We may not apas ignorant and as spiritually destitute as are the prove of it theoretically, or be ready to acknowlunderprivileged of many lands to whom we send edge it, but practically every white man is inmIsSIOnaries. Christians in these United States fluenced by this prejudice, especially in communihave a special responsibility for helping Amer- ties where Negroes are numerous. The reason ican Negroes since these people are descendents of for this discrimination is another matter. It is men and women who were taken from their na- not innate; children have no such prejudice until tive land by force and were brought to this coun- it is put into their minds by their elders or by try against their will to work for the white man some unpleasant and unreasoning experience.
without pay. Many of them were treated worse Negroes have racial characteristics which have than cattle. As a result of prejudice and lack of proved valuable assets to State and Church.
opportunity, multitudes of these Negroes are still Their natural good cheer and sense of humor, subject to unfair discrimination and their phys- their music and other talents, their ability to ical, mental and moral welfare are neglected. work, their devotion to those who show them kind- These conditions form a menace to health, social ness, and their religious sense and response to security and Christian progress in the communi- the Gospel of Christ, are all evidences of God in ties where these people live, not because they are them. Negroes but because their ignorance and the crowded, unsanitary, one-room cabins cannot but The study of the Negro is worth while. The spread physical and moral disease–whether they mission books of the year and this number of are inhabited by white folk or black. THE REVIEW provide the opportunity. Here are set forth the characteristics of the race, the prog- But such a condition is not characteristic of all ress made in the past two generations, the great Negro communities today. With good, steady achievem~nts of individual Negroes and the posjobs, an opportunity for education, and fair treat- sibilities for advance. Such a study will increase ment, the Negro has proved his ability to advance interracial understanding and sympathy and and to serve his generation unselfishly and effec- should stir Christians with a determination to tively. Such men of African descent as J. E. K. give adequate economic and educational oppor- Aggrey, Chief Khama, Bishop Samuel Crowther, tunities, to promote social justice and to recog- Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, nize the Negro as a brother man. There is no Richard R. Moton, and hundreds of other Negro reason to obliterate social barriers or to advocate men and women, are proof of what valuable an interracial marriage. The most intelligent Neasset to humanity the African may be. America groes do not desire such a movement but they ask, is indebted to the race for service in many lines and have a right to expect, equality of opportuand everywhere they may be an asset to the nity, impartial justice, friendliness and Christnation. like interest in their temporal and eternal wel- fare.
[275 ]
ETHIOPIA – A PREY solini has proclaimed religious liberty, as Haile The Empire of Ethiopia, practically the last in- Selassie had done, but experience in other Italian dependent African-ruled territory, has finally be- colonies does not give great encouragement to come a prey to the Roman Eagle. With the fall hope that the ten Protestant societies, with some of Addis Ababa, the capital, on May 3d, and the one hundred and forty missionaries working in flight of Emperor Haile Selassie to Palestine, thirty stations, will be free from interference or Ethiopian independence came to an end and discrimination. No Protestant missions are per- Premier Mussolini has declared the country to be mitted in Italian Somaliland or in Tripoli and Italian territory. The victory, after seven the few mission workers in Eritrea have been exmonths' warfare, brings no honor or credit to pelled. If the Italian Evangelical churches were Mussolini and the Italian armies. A strong na- strong enough they might be able to establish tion, with an effective army and navy, equipped work in Ethiopia. with modern guns, tanks, airplanes and gas bombs, has indeed overcome a weak but brave The unofficial plan, outlined in Rome for the nation which had an untrained army, no navy, conquered territory, includes the following proand almost no modern military equipment. The visions: Italians have descended like wolves upon a sheepfold. This conquest of a weaker member of the 1. Native chiefs, with Italian civil commis- League of Nations, by an aggressive and self- sioners and district military commanders, are to seeking conqueror belonging to the same League, be set up in each province. There is no thought has again revealed the ineffectiveness of the of continuing an even nominal native dynasty, as League and their inability to cooperate unselfishly the Japanese have done in Manchukuo.
2. Civil and religious liberty is proclaimed, with the abolition of slavery.
in order to stop a strong nation from violating 3. A native mercenary army, under Italian of- covenants. Partial trade "sanctions" and moral ficers, may be organized to police the country as disapproval have not been effective, but a united in other colonies.
stand by members of the League, backed by mili- 4. Roads, airports and a new railway will be tary measures, would no doubt have put a stop to built, and commerce will be developed.
Italy's program. America, like the other Euro- Dr. Charles J. Rolls, a representative of the pean' nations, was unwilling to resort to war to Sudan Interior Mission, who recently visited make the League covenants effective. Ethiopia during the Italian invasion, writes as follows in the Evangelical Christian: The rainy season and the roadless mountains were Ethiopia's best natural defences but these Italy deems the best course to take for reforming failed to stop airplanes equipped with machine Ethiopia is to conquer its people by atrocious warfare guns and bombs. Without respect of persons, that violates more princip:es of righteousness than all the non-combatants and Red Cross units suffered wrongs she declares need to be eliminated. . . . The Di- along with the military forces. Two missionaries vine method of transforming a people is not by bombs and were killed accidentally-Dr. Hockman by a bomb, ·tanks and by turning machine gun-fire from airplanes on villages and Red Cross units, but by opening up wells of and an Adventist, Mrs. Stadin, by a stray bullet. Salvation. Several Red Cross workers were also killed or wounded. WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA? The terms of conquest have not yet been pro- claimed. Italy has promised to give Ethiopia a Views as to the present situation in North more stable modern government than was pos- America, and in the world at large, vary accord- sible for Haile Selassie and his tribal chiefs. This ing to the chief interests and viewpoints of critics.
will depend on the Italian's ability to win the co- Newspaper and magazine articles, sermons and operation of the people and their ability to pay the addresses are full of warnings or optimistic state- cost of good colonial government. Their experi- ments as to the political, economic, social and re- ence in Eritrea, Somaliland and Tripoli does not ligious outlook. That many things are wrong and give much reason for confidence. Slavery has should be corrected all will agree but there are already been abolished by Italian decree, as Haile differences of opinion on the causes and the rem- Selassie had already attempted to do. Lake Tana, edy. Those who are committed to God and His the headwaters of the Blue Nile, will be a point standards for-life, as ~evealed in the Bible, gen- of friction with Egypt and Great Britain and in- erally agree that there has been a great lowering ternational trade presents many a problem. The of moral standards and a disturbing failure in nations of the League have thus far refused to religious education of the youth of the present acknowledge Italian sovereignty. generation. The results are seen in many ways, The effect of Italian occupation on Protestant especially in the lawless attitude of youth, even missionary work, it is difficult to foretell. Mus- of the so-called "best families," toward all restric-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
tion in what they consider personal liberty-as to are expected to include the following speakers- speed limits, use of intoxicants, marriage and sex- Dr. E. Stanley Jones, of India, author of "The life, property rights, tax returns and the laws of Christ of Every Road"; Dr. T. Z. Koo, the well- God. The best thing about the youth today as a known Chinese Christian leader; Dr. George W.
whole is probably their frankness and readiness Truett, of Dallas, Texas; President Albert W. to risk all to carry out whatever ideals they have. Beaven, of Colgate-Rochester Divinity School; But one of the greatest needs of the day is the Dr. George A. Buttrick, of New York; Dean Lynn training of the youth in respect for law, in rev- Harold Hough, of Drew Theological Seminary; erence for God, in knowledge of His revealed will, Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, of St. Louis; Bishop Arthur J. and in self-discipline and the putting of first Moore, of San Antonio, Texas; Rev. Daniel A. Poling, of New York; Miss Muriel Lester, of things first. Dr. William Merrill Vories, founder of the Omi- London, and some twenty others. Hachiman Mission, Japan, has recently revisited The purpose of the Mission is stated briefly as America and has traveled extensively over the follows: country. Like Mrs. E. Stanley Jones, he is dis- The Mission shall therefore seek to teach and preach in turbed by the signs of retrogression in the spirit- its fulness the Gospel of our common Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; to confront through group contacts and uallife of the people-especially in women. Form- public meetings as well the clear thought and courageous erly they were the moral backbone of the country, will of the American people as their finer feelings and the spiritual strength of the Church and the chief best tradition; in a civilization which irreligion is on the promotors of its missionary work. Today Dr. verge of destroying, and in the midst of which it has Vories sees them generally spending lavishly on become an imperative necessity in the high cause of the cosmetics, cigarettes and strong drink, talking future that Christianity shou:d gird itself for a real freely of sex, living loosely and devoted more to struggle, to stress once more the reasonableness of the "bridge" and the theater than to children, their Christian faith in die Personal God, its aptness to the deepest needs and farthest aspirations of human life, and homes, or the church. He sees many churches life- its redemptive, creative power in the organizing and shaping of a bewildered society toward the standards and less and preachers too often seeking popularity ideals of the Kingdom of God. with men, rather than desiring to be true prophets of God; he notes the absence of a clear and effec- The emphasis will be upon the Gospel of Christ tive message of salvation for this sin-sick and dis- as the unchanging need of every age and espetracted world. Even Christians are charged with having forgotten their chief business in life-the cially needed to solve the problems of the present carrying forward of Christ's work-and of being day. guilty of settling down to ease or hopeless discouragement. Christians everywhere are requested to pray earnestly that the blessing of God shall be upon But in the youth of today and tomorrow we the undertaking and the workers; and for the find cause for real encouragement-if they can be revival of true Christian faith and spiritual life turned Christward. There are signs of awakening in this time of crisis and the world's need. here and there among them, bOut with powerful materialistic forces holding them back or drag- Preparations for this Preaching campaign will ging them down to ruin. The youth of today need be followed with prayerful interest. Clearly the new life, vision, an incentive to sacrificial service, Gospel of Christ needs to be preached more faithand wise, inspirational Christian leadership. The fully and powerfully than it is preached in most remedy for present evils can only be found in churches today. His power needs to be mani- Christ. fested by regenerated lives for more than is evident in most Christians in America. But a re- vival cannot be "worked up"; that experience must come by the power of the Holy Spirit, work- A NATIONAL PREACHING MISSION ing through lives surrendered to God. The suc- America needs a spiritual awakening. That cess of this or any other work for spiritual cannot be denied; but how is it to be brought awakening will not depend on organization or on about? In the autumn, between September 13th famous speakers; it must depend chiefly on four and December 9th, the Federal Council of things: Churches is planning a united campaign to deepen 1. The character of the messengers-whether Christian faith and life throughout North Amer- they are truly Spirit-filled men and women, with ica. A team of preachers will visit some twenty personal experience of Christ, a passion to win of the larger cities, spending four days in each men to Him, and a whole-hearted belief in the city, and holding popular mass meetings and power of the Gospel. .
smaller conferences in order to make an impact 2. The message they reach-whether it is truly on the spiritual life of the community. The teams the Gospel of Christ, unclouded with doubts, and
mixed with a discussion of international ques- sonal talks, (5) lantern lectures on the Life of Christ. Results were reported to be remarkable. tions, economic problems, social service and other In Hyderabad and elsewhere teams of preachsecondary considerations. ers and lay workers have distributed Gospel por- tions at melas, a cinema projector has been used 3. The receptive attitude of the audiences and to attract people and the Gospel was proclaimed in song. Many villages were visited and even the zeal of local workers-will their expectation those from high castes were reached in large numbers. be a thrill from eloquent preachers or will they The main points of the program for the movecome hungry for the Word of God and an ex- ment are: the observance of a special time of preparation, annual "Weeks of Witness," and the perience of new life in Christ. setting aside by each Council of two workers to forward the work; newspaper evangelism, Bible 4. The power of the Spirit of God must be evi- and tract distribution and preaching missions.
dent in speakers, committees, personal workers The Chhindwara Retreat for Prayer and Con- sideration of Mass Movements in Mid-India, held and hearers. Prayer and the "still small Voice" in 1935, calls attention to eleven principles to which they subscribe. It is possible today for in this enterprise are more important than preach- whole castes to be won for Jesus Christ. "We hold that the present situation is nothing less than ing. Vital personal work is more effective than a call from God to disciple entire castes number- ing hundreds of thousands of souls." Large popsermons that draw large crowds. The tfme to ulations have been christianized, not through the conversion of the upper castes first, but through begin to pray and prepare for a revival is now, that of the Depressed Classes. It is, therefore, wise strategy to concentrate attention on the more not next September; and the place is not in large approachable castes. To do this a greater mo- bility of missionary forces is needed. There meetings but in individual homes and hearts, on should be cooperation in revival, a reallocation of resources, and, in some cases, of territory. our knees. . Dependence must be placed on the preaching of FIVE-YEAR EVANGELISM IN INDIA God's Word. "We believe that merely living the Gospel, and mere humanitarian projects to relieve Christian leaders in India have united in a call human ignorance or suffering are, when taken for a definite Five-Year Evangelistic Forward alone, entirely inadequate to bring men and Movement, inaugurated by seven weeks of prep- women into the great salvation." At the same aration, in each district, with the following topics time, the convert must be enabled to give proper suggested, one for each week: expression of his new-found spiritual experiences among his neighbors. Following baptism, ade- 1. The primary duty of Christians to witness. quate instruction and guidance must be given to 2. Successful personal evangelism. new converts. Finally, the present opportunities 3. Churches and United Witness bearing. constitute a great call to all Christians for new 4. Witness of the Christian home. consecration. 5. Evangelism by literature. 6. Education and evangelism. The editor of The Indian Witness writes: 7. Evangelism and social service. "Everywhere Christians are found to be deeply This movement is being promoted by the Na- concerned with their own spiritual condition and .tional Christian Council of India, Burma and Cey- that of those around them. Everywhere we hear lon, which is calling all churches to witness in the hope expressed of a spiritual revival among their own areas. A definite aim and program is Christians…. Reports reach us of awakenings advocated "to enlist all Christians – men and in many place-s-in schools and churches and rewomen, students and officials, boys and girls – in treats. . . . If the Christians of India everyone great army of volunteer evangelists, each where will show the love of Christ in testimony bringing his or her own talent to the task. Some and through their lives, the blessings to themwill preach, others will sell Gospels, some will selves and to others will be innumerable." sing, still others will do personal work with individuals."
A special "Witness Week" has already been held in Dornakal, after which the field was divided into six parts under the care of six groups. Each had a leader and the congregations were divided into four age-groups. Children had banners made with these words inscribed in Telugu: "The Lord Jesus, the Saviour of the world." The leaders met each morning for prayer and consultation, and in the evening went in groups to the villages assigned. The work consisted mainly of (1) distribution of handbills and tracts, (2) sale of Gospel portions, (3) witness bearing, (4) per-
Lights of Negro
By CHARLES H. WESLEY, Washington, D. C.
Professor of History in Howard University NEGROES have been associated with the changes, economic, religious and educational achievements of the American people from trends and cultural progress. These are beacon the earliest years, both as individuals and lights which point the way through the maze of as a racial group. One of the noted early explor- complex changes. ers and pioneers was Estevan who led an expedi- Population Changes-During the 'one hundred tion in the sixteenth century from Mexico into and forty years from 1790 to 1930 the Negroes the territory of the Southwest and discovered have increased from three-quarters of a million what we now call New Mexico and Arizona. From to nearly twelve millions. The increase from this period to the time when Matthew A. Henson, 1920 to 1930 was greater than the entire Negro a Negro, accompanied Commander Peary in his population in 1800. In 1860 the total number discovery of the North Pole, Negroes have been of Negroes was 4,441,830, and in 1930, it was associated with some of the outstanding American 11,891,143. In the meantime the percentage of pioneer efforts. From the time when twenty Ne- the Negro to the total population has shown a groes were brought to Jamestown, Virginia, in decrease, from 19.3 per cent at the first census 1619 to the most recent of the developments in in 1790 to 9.7 per cent in 1930. the South, the Negro has helped with his labor in producing the agriculture and the economic Prior to 1910 about 89 per cent of the Negro and social life of the Southern states. From Cris- population lived in the South Atlantic and South pus Attucks, a Negro who shed the first blood Central states. A majority of these lived in the so-called Black Belt. In several counties the Ne- for the American cause in the Boston Massacre groes outnumbered the whites. In 1930 of the in 1770, to the Negro soldiers who fought in the total Negro population, 78.7 per cent were in the Civil War to the number of 178,000, the courage Southern states, whereas in 1910 they constituted of Negro troops has been highly praised. 90 per cent. In the last twenty~five years over In literature, song and cultural progress Ne- a million Negroes have left the farms for the cities groes have made distinct contributions to Ameri- of the South and over a million and a half have can civilization. They had also improved their migrated to the urban centers of the North. economic status and were engaged in numerous The greatest change in the distribution of the gainful pursuits prior to 1865. There were 59,557 Negroes came in the decade 1920-1930, during free Negroes in America at the first census in which there was a shift northward. This migra- 1790 and in seventy years this number increased tion began with the opening of the World War to 488,070. Contemporary observers stated that in 1914, and continued with the cessation of imthere were among them persons of "education, migrant labor and the rise of the demand for refinement, sound sense and correct morals." This Negro labor. The peak of this migratory moveis corroborated by the historical facts. ment was reached in1~17-1921. More than two- thirds of the increase in the Negro population It is absurd to assume that all the Negroes during the last two decades has taken place in the were degraded until the issuance of the Emanci- Northern states; but the percentage of Negroes pation Proclamation and the passage of the Thir- teenth Amendment. There were inefficient and in the North in 1930 was only 3.3 per cent. At unworthy Negroes just as there are the same the- same time over 40 per cent of the Negroes types in any group today. By their own efforts, were still in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, North and with the aid of sympathetic friends, indi- Carolina and Texas. The largest number of Nevidual free Negroes were attaining economic in- groes in the North are in Pennsylvania, New dependence and making personal progress before York and Illinois. 1865, when the group as a whole was made phys- Many believe that this newer distribution of ically free. Decades prior to this period, thou- Negroes will make the problem of their presence sands had freed themselves from human slavery among Southern whites less acute, but others and economic want. maintain that it has added to the strained race relations in some of the Northern and urban The Negro's progress since emancipation centers. Wherever toleration and Christian inshould be examined as it relates to population [279 ]
fluences have been at work the change has been cent were Negroes, the percentage of Negroes on ultimately beneficial to the Negroes and the com- relief in proportion to the population, being almunities have registered no loss by their presence. most twice that of the whites. In January, 1935, The dangers have been found to be more imagi- there were 3,500,000 Negroes in families receivnary than real. ing relief or 29 per cent of the entire Negropop- ulation. This is an indication of the deepening of Economic Progress-The aggregate wealth of the economic plight of black Americans. While the Negroes has increased from 1860 to the pres- 20 to 25 per cent of the white workers are un- employed today, from 40 to 50 per cent of the TYPICAL HOME OF A NEGRO TENANT FARMER Negro workers are unemployed. There has been IN THE SOllTH progress, but there has also been retrogression.
ent time from about $20,000,000 to perhaps $2,- Just after emancipation there was only one 000,000,000 or about 100 times. There were about bank in which Negroes were active as workers 20,000 farms operated independently by Negroes and depositors. The Freedman's Savings Bank in 1865. Now they operate about 880,000 farms. had white officials until the last year when it was In 1920 there were 925,608 Negro farmers who almost ready to fail and Negro officials were inoperated 41,432,182 acres, 23.6 per cent being troduced. In 1924 there were 73 Negro banks owners. Ten years later (1930) the Negro farm- with $6,250,000 in capital and $20,000,000 in reers had decreased to 882,850 and their acres in sources. Some of these banks are still in active operation had decreased to 37,597,132. operation, although they operate on small capital. Negro life insurance companies have enjoyed un- The depression, together with the accompany- precedented growth and expansion from 1920 to ing hard economic times, was responsible for these 1929, when difficulties began. Fifteen companies decreases in the usual upward trends in Negro operated old line legal reserve insurance in 1920, agricultural life. The crop reduction program, with policyholders' surplus in excess of $100,000; tenant evictions and unemployment for Negro in 1935 these had decreased to eight; seven had agricultural workers have made these conditions disappeared, three had failed, three had amalgaworse, especially among sharecroppers and tenants. Negro land tenantry as a result of fore- MODERN TYPE OF NEGRO HOME IN THE CITY closures has influenced the formation of sharecroppers' unions and of cooperative associations mated, one had changed to a mutual company. upon racial and interracial bases. The capital and surplus of these fifteen companies in 1929 was $2,903,228 and in 1935 was $2,046,- Of the gainfully employed Negroes in 1930, of 214. These companies have given opportunities whom there were 5,503,532, there was 36.1o/e to Negroes for experience in business managewho were engaged in agriculture and 63.9 per ment and control, and have given employment to cent in industrial and urban occupations. There hundreds of young Negro college graduates. has thus developed a trend towards industrial life. The factory workers have increased continuously, and the period since the World War has brought about a more extensive increase of semi-skilled and skilled workers. The labor unions, however, have not welcomed Negro workers and some unions have excluded them.
Since the economic crisis of 1929, the numbers upon relief have increased so that in 1933, there were approximately 13,600,000 persons on relief, of which 81.3 per cent were white and 16.7 per
1936J BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS
Negro retail business has greatly increased College graduates continue to enter the ministry, since emancipation. In 1865, it was estimated and while there are relatively more Negro min- that there were 2,100 Negro business concerns, isters than white, in proportion to the popula- and in 1936 there were over 70,000, with sales tion, it is also a fact that there has been an ad- amounting to over $100,000,000 in 1930. The vance in the intelligence of the Negro ministers.
principal businesses were grocery stores, 'filling However, only 38 per cent of the pastors of Negro stations, restaurants and lunch rooms, tobacco churches are either college or seminary graduates.
There were 42,585 Negro churches at the last religious census. The Negro membership was 5,203,487, or 9.5 per cent of all church members in the United States. These members were dis- tributed among the denominations as follows: Negro Baptists, 61.4 per cent; African Methodist Episcopal Church, 10.5 per cent; African Meth- odist Episcopal Zion Church, 8.8 per cent; Epis- copal Church, 6.4 per cent; Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, 3.9 per cent; Roman Catholic Church, 2.4 per cent; Protestant Episcopal, 1 per cent; and all other denomihations, 5.6 per cent.
These churches contribute annually over $250,000 to home missions and over $150,000 to foreign missions. There are large denominational publi- cation houses furnishing these congregations with RURAL NEGRO CHURCH RECONSTRUCTED religious literature. FROM AK OLD BARN Education-In 1860, the vast majority of the stores', and barber shops. These serve especially Negroes were illiterate. Decade by decade, this the Negro communities of the large urban centers has been reduced so that by 1930 Negro illiteracy and give employment to hundreds who would find was only 16.3 per cent. Of these illiterates, 93.6 difficulty in obtaining employment in similar fields per cent were in the South. This reduction in in the older American stores. illiteracy has been made in spite of the fact that the Negro separate schools have been invariably In spite of numerous handicaps Negroes have inferior to the white schools in the same areas. become a part of the economic life of the nation. Nineteen of the 48 states provide by law for the In agriculture, industry and business they have separation of the races in the schools; this has become more important factors with the passing years. Whether the present economic changes will make their lot better or worse is problemati- cal. It seems clearer each day, however, that their economic status is closely allied with that of the whites and that the interracial relations of whites and blacks on the lower economic levels are as important as these relations are for the higher levels.
Religion-It is difficult to chronicle the advance in religion, which is often personal in its opera- tion rather than organizational. There are fac- tors other than numbers which deserve considera- tion. The total number of Negro church mem- bers, according to the most recent figures, is a 5,187,500 in a total Negro population of 11,891,- 143. This leaves non-church population of 6,703,643 Negroes. All agree, however, that as a group, Negroes have been fundamentally religious A MODERN NEGRO RURAL CHURCH and have responded readily to religious appeals. resulted in gross inequalities in expenditures and There has been a continuous advance since free- equipment. For instance, in 1930 the per capita dom in the methods and improved practices in expenditure for the average white child enrolled religious worship. Less emotion and more rea- in schools where separation was mandatory was son are shown today. $44.31, while the per capita expenditure for the The Negro ministry has improved in quality average Negro child was only $12.57. During as well as in numbers since the days of slavery. the past 30 years these disparities between ex-
penditures for the education of whites and Ne- is regarded as the highest degree conferred by groes have increased more than fourfold. These any university. There were 16 of these degrees increasing inequalities are reflected in Negro given in the natural sciences, 15 in the social sci- crime, delinquency and maladjustment. It is un- ences and 14 in the languages including English.
fortunate that these are placed to the Negro's White friends have contributed directly and discredit as a race rather than to the conditions indirectly to the progress of Negro education, and out of which these results arise. In spite of this seven educational foundations have worked for discrepancy, there has been remarkable improve- the advancement of Negro education in the South ment and cooperation between white and colored since the Civil War. They are the Peabody Edupeople in the extension and development of Negro cation Fund, the John F. Slater Fund, the Geneducation. eral Education Board, the Anna T. Jeanes Foun- There are about 25,000 Negro students in insti- dation, the Phelps-Stokes Fund, the Julius Rosen- tutions above high school; 22,500 are in Negro wald Fund and the Commission on Interracial institutions, while there are about 250,000 white Cooperation. These foundations have brought students in the colleges of the South where the inspiration, expert direction and material support average ratio of whites to Negroes is about 4 to to the education of Negroes when it was greatly 1. It should be especially noted that there is not neglected.
one state-supported institution in the Southern Negroes have contributed more than $3,000,000 states in which Negr~es may be admitted to pur- for the support of their schools, it has been esti- sue either graduate or professional education. mated, yet this is only a fraction of the pos- Due to court action, brought last year by the Na- sibility. The Negro religious denominations sup- tional Association for the Advancement of Col- port about 175 schools; the African Methodist ored People, a Negro student was admitted for Episcopal Church contributes about $500,000 an- this school-year to the University of Maryland nually to its schools and colleges. Assistance is Law School. State support of Negro mechanical also given by the Negroes of local communities and agricultural state colleges and normal schools to the building and maintenance of schoolhouses has been increasing year by year, although'their and social organizations.
support is by no means proportionate to the taxes Cultural Progress-Politics, literature, art, mupaid by Negroes or to their educational needs. sic, amusements and organized social efforts have Advance in Education shown a marked advance. Though at first wedded to the Republican party by tradition and by an In spite of these limitations Negro education acknowledged debt, the Negroes today are voting has continued to advance. In 1865 there were and working for every ticket as American citi- very few schools for Negroes, but there are today zens. There are some so-called radicals who are about 25,000 elementary schools, 1,400 high stimUlating the thought of Negro life as never schools, 500 universities, colleges and normal before and a Negro was selected as the candidate schools. There were less than 600 Negro teachers of the Communist Party for the Vice-Presidency in 1865 but today there are more than 50,000 of the United States in 1932. But there are rela- Negro teachers with approximately less than 500 tively few Communists among Negroes at present.
white persons teaching Negroes exclusively. Col- In literature, there is a Renaissance of producleges for Negroes are gradually being placed un- tion which since the WorId War is most noticeder the control of Negro officials and teachers. able. Poetry, novels and volumes of serious In the days immediately following the Civil War, scholarship are pouring off the press, until the white teachers volunteered for service in Negro few published prior to this period may seem very education and through the subsequent years there small. In art, always the last of civilizing activihas been a continuance of this service, but as ties to appear, individual attainments are beginemployment for Negroes becomes more restricted ning to be made. The names of H. O. Tanner, E. and opportunities for whites among their own M. Bannister, R. S. Duncanson, William Edward group are more general, there is a tendency to Scott, Meta Warrick, May Howard Jackson, Aureplace white presidents and teachers with Ne- gusta Savage, Edmonia Lewis-these are the new groes in Negro schools. evidences ot distinction in this field. In music, In the decade 1860-1870, there were only 44 attainments were made prior to freedom in the Negro college graduates; but from 1900 to 1910 folk melodies, the work songs, the minstrel songs there were 1,613 and in the one year 1925, there -which are the original contributions of the Ne- were 675, who received the bachelor's degree. gro to American life. Negro musicians, among This number has steadily increased. Prior to whom are H. T. Burleigh, Roland Hayes, Marion 1931 sixty Negroes (52 male, 8 female), have Anderson, J. Rosamond Johnson, Nathaniel Dett, gained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which William Dawson, William Grant Still and others
BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS
are using these themes very effectively in public A MODERN NEGRO CHURCH RElCREATIONAL CENTER presentations.
Great advances may be noted in the publication of newspapers and magazines. One has only to look at the Negro newspapers of twenty years ago and the same papers today, or to have visited the pUblication plants of twenty years ago and then compare them with the plants today in order to note the advance.
Many eloquent white spokesmen and courageous leaders have shown the measures of the Negro's advancement. They have spoken with great respect of Booker T. Washington who has left a deep impression upon American education. Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, James Varick, Daniel A. Payne, J. W. C. Pennington, Soujourner Truth, Harriett Tubman, J. C. Price, M. C. B. Mason and hundreds of others, in the church and in public activities of various types, have demonstrated the capacities of the Negro for citizenship and the privileges within the gift of the nation.
Behind these individual leaders, there are the masses who, through social organizations such as the Y. M. C. A., theY. W. C. A., fraternal organizations and welfare associations, are giving continuous evidence of a progressive advancement. These beacon lights in Negro life should not be neglected. Let us face these neglected beams of light as we express the fervent hope that the spirit of Christian brotherhood may make possible greater achievements by the Negro and by.all minority social groups in American life.
The Word of God as a Missionary Man is sometimes bound, "but the Word of God is not bound"; the restrictions and restraints which limit and fetter man do not touch the Book. The lapse of time and stretch of space do not affect it. It utters no unwise word, takes no wrong step, forms no indiscreet alliances and lowers itself by no political entanglements or worldly compromises.
This Missionary is never weak nor weary, needs no rest and is unaffected by climate, diet or local surroundings.
A stranger alike to external hardship of internal disquiet, this Messenger of God never halts in obedience, hesitates in aim nor stumbles in action. It speaks as powerfully to the ignorant as. to the educated, the poor as the rich, the low-born as the high-born; is not intimidated by threats, dismayed by persecution nor destroyed by violence.
It claims to have in it, as His Living Book, God's vital power and to be life-imparting, so that men are born from above through it as God's "seed." (Acts 7: 38; Hebrews 4: 12; 1 Peter 1: 23; James 1: 21.) The history of missions puts these claims to the test and proves God's Book to be his chosen channel whereby his Spirit pours life into human souls. Hence, even where living men have not yet borne their witness, his Word has often won its triumphs.
-Arthur T. Pierson.
THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL ON WHEELS Reaching the Negroes where they live and teaching them how to live better THE STRONG GO ON!
By EDWARD E. BLAKE, Washington, D. C., in Twentieth Century Progress In the fight 'twixt Truth and Error when the As the surging battle thickens, and the cohorts of Right opposes Wrong; the foe When the friends of Light seem weakest and the Make assault with seeming triumph dealing heavy hosts of Darkness strong; blow on blow; When the way grows harder, rougher, and the 'Spite of darkness, doubters, weaklings, and cor- clouds are black ahead; ruption's sordid crew; When the timid doubters question, and the weak- 'Spite of greedy, trimmers, traitors; with cour- lings stop with dread; ageous faithful few -the strong go on! -the strong fight on!
Though the Church deserts her standard and be- Still with faith in Truth triumphant and in Right. fore strong Error quails; dynamic, strong; When allies desert, surrender, and expected suc- Like the pow'rful few of Gideon crushed the many cor fails; weakly wrong; When the sneering liquor foeman hurls his shafts Mighty as the pen of Lincoln 'gainst dark Slav'ry's of bitter hate; futile sword; And through servile venal parties overwhelms the Ever forward, ever onward, battling Rum's sa- Ship of State; tanic horde; -the strong march on! -the strong go on-to vict.ory!
Helps and Handicaps to
By BISHOP REVERDY C. RANSOM, Wilberforce, Ohio President of the Fraternal Council of Negro Churches N EGROES and their white fellow country- twenty-four Negro religious denominations in the men are so closely bound together in the United States, not counting the hundreds of store- currents of our national life, that it is diffi- front churches and missions scattered through- cult to specify the "helps and handicaps" that out the country. These denominations have ap- may not apply equally to all groups. proximately six million members, but more than As a result of his inheritance from American six million Negroes in the United States do not chattel slavery, as well as from his present social belong to any church. These constitute both a and economic plight within the nation, the Negro problem and an opportunity, not only for the is encumbered with certain handicaps which, Negro church, but for all American Christians.
either through circumstances or design, apply Many grave problems confront both the Amer- particularly to him. ican government and the church, but none is more No nation, not even in the days of the Apostles, serious and challenging than that which relates has ever had laid upon the steps of the altars of to the social, economic and political status of religion a race as susceptible to the appeal of the Americans of African descent. This question Gospel message as is the case in the United States. strikes at the heart and spirit of both American The Negroes brought here from Africa were in- democracy and American Christianity. The prob- deed crude material, fresh from the jungle and lem is not so much one of evangelism as one of the desert, with no sacred books, no written sys- freedom, justice and opportunity. American tem of ethics, science or philosophy. They were Christians must face the question of applying the a highly emotional people of vivid imagination, Gospel of Christ to uphold the spirit of 'American warm in their friendships, eager to respond to democracy in the vital test of the social status cordial overtures, and filling with music, laughter and economic opportunities of our Negro popula- and song the days of their captivity in a strange tion. It strikes a disturbing note when, either land. Within the past three hundred years, what from the rostrum or the printed page, this whole is the harvest of souls gathered from a so-called question is stripped of its disguises and we are "heathen" or "inferior" people by American forced to look upon it as millions are compelled to Christians? The American Indian has given see it for what it is, every day of their lives.
Christianity a negligible, a cold and indifferent Americans at heart desire the progress and response; on the other hand, in the face of denial well-being of all groups of citizens; and in the in the beginning, the Negro, as a slave, almost spirit of Christ, particularly in the case of the immediately sought to become a baptized member Negro, we have gone far to assist that progress.
of the Christian Church. It seems a providence There is nothing more beautiful in history than of God that the Negro, among the most backward the service rendered by the consecrated white of the races of men, should be linked, almost from men ap.d women who went south at the close of the beginning, with the birth of American de- the Civil War, under the auspices of the American mocracy and should be brought under the in- Missionary Society and boards of some of the re- fluence of American Christianity. ligious denominations, to prepare the recently lib- The Negro population of the United States to- erated slaves for the duties and responsibilities of day is three times larger than the entire popula- citizenship. Many of these young men and wom- tion of the United States in 1787 when our Fed- en, in complete self-forgetfulness, remained until eral Constitution was framed. Today, Negroes they grew gray in that constructive service. Their in North America number about twice the entire action touched the heart of philanthropy, it en- population of the New England states. There are couraged statesmanship, it stirred aspiration, three times as many Negroes in the United States and gave hope and courage to an aspiring race.
as there are Jews. They make up a population As the result of this Christian service, we have six times larger than the Indian, Mexican, Jap- in the United States today 118 Negro colleges, anese, Chinese and Filipinos combined. There are where, in the year 1933, there were 54,166 stu- [285 ]
dents. In 1935, the degree of B.A. or B.S. was braries in some of the states, and in but few granted to more than three thousand Negroes. places may they have free access to witness the There are more than four thousand practicing best plays, hear the 'best music and see the great Negro physicians and surgeons, and more than works of art. All of these handicaps are being fifty thousand Negro school teachers in the United increasingly overcome by efforts on the part of States. This is but a part of the leadership being Negroes through the churches, schools and social furnished within the race to permeate and uplift agencies as well as through a growing culture the entire mass of the people. Of course, it is and a freer expression of the mind and spirit in inadequate, but is none the less a miracle wrought the realm of music and the arts. by the Christian spirit and cooperation of white men and women who started the work amid the "For" or "With" the Negroes wreckage of slave-pens and the dying embers of the Civil War. The schools and colleges established by white philanthropy for Negroes have been of inestima- 'Negro Christian Leadership ble value in assisting them to achieve a higher and better life, but today they fall short of the Negro Christian leadership, today, through mark by only doing things "for Negroes," instead catering too largely to the religious forms and of doing things "with Negroes," in the spirit of customs of the era of slavery, is losing its hold Christian cooperation and friendliness. The Neand influence over the growing body of intelli- gro educators may train the mind, but they cangence in the race as a whole. This group is not free the spirits of their people unless they largely drifting, without spiritual chart or com- are taught to openly challenge, by peaceful methpass, in peril of shipwreck, upon the rocks of in- ods, the degrading social and industrial conditions differentism, atheism or communism. They are that are thwarting or hindering their progress. the most fruitful soil in America for the seed of any doctrine that promises to give them social We should have some choice white men and and economic deliverance and opportunity. women on the faculty of every Negro school and college. Among the religious denominations, each Negro Christian leadership has not seriously one of their general boards, agencies or organizaassumed responsibility for the fact that almost tions should include some Colored men and womthe entire load of the social, moral and spiritual en of intelligence and understanding in its memrescue and guidance has been placed upon their bership and thus lead the way to unified shoulders.' Sympathetic friends may pray for cooperation and sympathetic understanding. them and extend material aid, but the actual personal contact and service must be performed by The most hopeful and forward-looking movethemselves. ment among Negro Christians is the "Fraternal Council of Negro Churches in the United States" If the Negro youth is to be educated in schools which was organized more than a year ago by and colleges, separate and apart from the white some of the leading representatives of all the youth,. and if religious training in Sunday schools distinctly independent Negro denominations. and the various young people's Christian organ- Without attempting to duplicate or parallel the izations is also the responsibility of the Negro work of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ teachers and leaders, a people so recently removed in America, some aims of the Fraternal Council from slavery, and still largely submerged in ig- of Negro Churches are, as stated in its "Annual norance and poverty, presents a problem and an Message to the Churches": opportunity sufficient to engage the heart of an angel. It seeks to become a rallying point for fearless action in behalf of the interests of our people where religious There are today approximately 1,500,000 -Negro beliefs and denominational interests and ambition shall youths in the United States between the ages of not be permitted to enter to divide our councils, and where ten and nineteen years. These bring us face to partisan and political divisions shall have no place. face with' the question of recreation and amusement. It is here that religious training and in- If the Negro Church is to survive, it must offer the :tfuence meet one of their earliest as well as se- Negro youth of today something more than a home in verest tests upon the life and character of the heaven. We urge our ministers to study their Bibles with youth of today. The common recreational facili- particular reference to the presentation of the teachings ties and outlets provided by public parks, swim- of Jesus, regarding social justice and brotherhood, and ming pools, bathing beaches and other centers of we call upon our own people, the Negroes of America, to recreation are denied to Negroes in the southern be more loyal to their churches of whatever denomination, states,.and they find themselves either unwelcome, to attend their services and abide by their rules. or flatly excluded, in other sections of the country. They may not have access to our main public li- We call upon ministers and lay members in all the churches to cross the boundary lines of their denomina- tionalism, to join the common task of working in the pres- ent to secure the future peace and justice, not only of our race, but of all underprivileged and oppressed. We aI'ilo urge that our people be encouraged to organize, wherever they can, to study and be instructed in the fundamentals
SOME HELPS AND HANDICAPS TO PROGRESS
of our social, political and economic life that they may do not touch his political disfranchisement or his properly understand their relations to American and world life. economic disinheritance. They hope to do so in Negroes left to themselves cannot assure the the long run, because they have the usual faith spiritual and moral future of the tens of thousands of Negro high school and college graduates in the power of education and moral suasion to who are to have the moral, social and spiritual leadership of this people in the next generation. soften the heart of the white man. This faith is As I see it, the question comes back primarily to one of social justice and economic opportunity. filled with many illusions, as such expectations To show to a people the fruits from a land they are not permitted to enter, to lift them up to heav- always are. However large the number of indien where they may see all the glories of business and economic opportunity, and then to cast them vidual white men who identify themselves comdown to the bitter hell of exclusion and denial intensifies the seriousness of America's most vital pletely with the Negro cause, the white race in problem. Unless the white American pUlpit rids itself of its silence and timidity and boldly faces America will not admit the Negro to equal rights the situation in the name of Christ, it is but a cross upon the backs of Negro Christian leader- if it is not forced to do so. Upon that point, one ship, the weight of which may cause them to faint, if not to despair. may speak with a dogmatism which all history We have among Negroes "a spiritual leadership justifies. that is intellectually weak; and an intellectual leadership that is spiritually weak." If we would If present conditions continue, both Commusee China, India and Africa brought to Christ, our Christian faith and service should first achieve nism and Socialism will increasingly appeal to the test of permitting six million Negro Christians to stand erect in every section of our com- Negroes, the people farthest down, and the most mon country, free to go forth unhindered and make their contribution to our national well-be- flagrantly disinherited. Communism offers racial, ing, unhindered in the avenues of social and economic opportunity and freedom. social and economic equality, and in Russia, it is The reason that Negroes are not a disappearing attempting to practice what it preaches. Chrisrace in America, but increase with each succeeding decade (Negro population census 1790 was tianity is founded upon the doctrine of goodwill, 757,208; in 1930, it was 11,891,141) is because both in slavery and freedom they have attained brotherhood, peace and love among all men. a fine technique in practicing non-resistance, without resorting either to noncooperation or violence. Never before in the history of the world was Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr in his book, "Moral Man and Immoral Society," says "It is hopeless for Christianity furnished with so complete a laborathe Negro to expect complete emancipation from the menial, social and economic position into tory for demonstrating these doctrines. All of which the white man has forced him, merely by trusting in the moral sense of the white race. the human ingredients are here, only awaiting The Negro schools, conducted under the aus- the kindling spark which alone can be struck by pices of white philanthropy, encourage individual Negroes to higher forms of self-realization; but the followers of Jesus, submitting themselves to they do not make a frontal attack upon the social injustices and political rights for the Negro with- God's transforming and overcoming power out arousing the antagonism of the whites. They try to enlarge, but they operate nevertheless with- through faith in Jesus Christ. The task and the in the limits of the "zones of agreement." test of Christianity in America is to absorb the This means that they secure minimum rights for the Negro such as better sanitation, police Negro into the' body of our society on the basis protection and more adequate schools. But they of justice, righteousness and good. will. Negroes are a peace-loving people. The spirit of the good neighbor pervades the race. How far mutual dependence and common poverty are responsible for this, I do not know. But grasping greed and insensibility to the condition of the weak and unfortunate is not a characteristic of the Negro race. The thing that sustained the Negro in slav- ery, the thing that brought him through the pe- riod of Reconstruction and the thing that chiefly sustains him now, is faith in God, faith in his future and faith in himself. Like Abraham, he has gone forth and continues to walk by faith, believing that God will give him a better heritage and a brighter day.
The Christiari hosts that are on duty all along the firing line against social, moral and spiritual.
foes, have in the Negro division a great army held in reserve. These soldiers of the Cross should be thoroughly trained, equipped and armed for active service in a battle that must be fought to a de- cisive conclusion. It may be, in the providence of God, the spiritual reinforcement they shall bring will strike the decisive blow to the forces that openly challenge the authority of the State and the strength and influence of the Christian Church. .
NEGRO POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES-1900 TO 1930 Section 1930 1920 ,1910 1900 Total ……………………….. . 11,891,143 10,463,131 9,827,763 8,833,994 The North ………………………. . 2,409,21S 1,472,309 1,027,674 880,771 The South ………………………. . 9,361,577 8,912,231 8,749,427 The West ……………………….. . 78,591 7,922,969 120,347 50,662 30,254 TOTAL AND NEGRO POPULATION BY STATES AND PER CENT OF NEGRO POPULATION IN EACH STATE IN 1930 States Total Negro Per Cent Negro PerCent Population Population Population Illiterate New England 1,096 0.1 4.8 890 0.2 3.9 Maine ……..•……………………. 797,423 568 0.2 4.9 1.2 5.4 New Hampshire …………………… . 465,293 52,365 1.4 8.1 Vermont ………………………. , .. . 359,611 9,913 1.8 4.9 Massachusetts …………………….. . 4,249,614 29.354 3.3 2.5 RhQde Island ……………… , …….. . 687,497 412,814 5.2 5.1 Connecticut …….. , …. ' ………….. . 1,606,903 208,828 4.5 4.2 431,257 Middle Atlantic 4.7 6.4 309,304 3.5 6.0 New york …………………………. 12,588,066 111,982 4.3 3.6 328,972 3.5 3.0 New Jersey ………… " …………… 4,041,334 169,453 0.4 4.4 Pennsylvania ………………………. 9,631,350 10,739 0.4 2.0 0.7 5.4 East North Central 9,445 6.2 8.8 17,380 0.1 3.4 Ohio ……………………………. . 6,646,697 223,840 0.1 2.2 Indiana …………………………. . 3,238,503 1.0 3.9 Illinois ………………………….. . 7,630,654 377 3.5 5.9 M~chiga~ ….•…………………….. 4,842,325 646 13,752 13.6 13.2 WISconSIn ………………………… . 2,939,006 66,344 16.9 11.4 27.1 4.1 West North Central 32,602 26.8 19.2 276,379 6.6 11.3 Minnesota ……………………….. . 2,563,953 132,068 29.0 20.6 Iowa …………………………….. . 2,470,939 650,165 45.6 26.9 Missouri …………………………. . 3,629,367 114,893 36.8 19.9 North Dakota …………………….. . 680,845 918,647 29.4 18.8 793,681 South Dakota …………………….. . 692,849 1,071,125 8.6 15.4 431,828 18.3 Nebraska ………………………… . 1,377,963 35.7 14.~ Kansas ………………………….. . 1,880,999 226,040 50.2 477,646 26.2 South Atlantic . 944,834 25.8 23.2 1,009,718 36.9 Delaware ………………………… . 238,380 J 6.1 478,463 7.2 23.3 Maryland ………………………… . 1,631,526 776,326 14.7 District of Columbia ………………… . 486,869 172,198 9.3 Virginia …………………………. . 2,421,851 854,964 0.2 13.4 0.1 West Virginia …………………….. . 1,729,205 1,256 0.6 4.6 North Carolina …… , ……………… . 3,170,276 668 1.1 4.2 South Carolina ……………………. . 1,738,765 0.7 4.2 1,250 2.5 3.9 Georgia ………………………….. . 2,908,506 11,828 0.2 0.6 6.0 Florida ………………………….. . 1,468,211 2,850 3.2 10,749 0.4 1.5 East South Central 0.2 1,108 1.4 2.9 Kentucky ………………………… . 2,614,589 516 2.2 3.1 Tennessee ………………………… . 2,616,556 6,840 A~ab:,-~a : ………………………… . 2,646,248 2,234 MISSISSIPPI ……………………….. . 2,009,821 81,048 West South Central Arkansas ………………………… . 1,854,482 'Louisiana ………………………… . 2,101,593 Oklahoma ………………………… . 2,396,040 Texas …………………………… . 5,824,715 Mountain Montana ………………………….'. 537,606 Idaho ……………………………. . 445,032 Wyoming ………………………… . 225,565 Colorado ……………………… , … . 1,035,791 New Mexico ………………………. . 423,317 Arizona …………………………. . 435,573 Utah ……………………………. . 507,847 Nevada ………………………….. . 91,058 Pacific Washington ………………………. . 1,563,396 Oregon ………….. , …………….. . 953,786 California ……………………….. . 5,677,251 NOTE: Thus the greatest Negro illiteracy is found in South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina-where the Negroes form from 29 to 50 per cent of the PQPulation; the greatest literacy among Negroes is in Northern and Western States where they form only from one to four per cent of the total popUlation.
OF NEGROES IN THE TOTAL POPULATION, BY STATES
(District of Columbia, 27.1 per cent. not shown ~eparately on the map) CJ UNDER I m~ I TO 6 a 5 TO 12~ ~ 12" TO 2S 00 25 TO 37~ 37~ TO 60 50 AND OVER THE HEAVY LINES(_) SHOW Q£OCR"~HIC DIVISIONS Two G~nerations Since Emancipation By MONROE N. WORK, Tuskegee, Alabama Editor of the Negro Year Book PROGRESS IN SEVENTY YEARS-1866-1936 W E ASSUME that individuals and groups do make progress. If one took into ac- Economic Progress- 1866 1936 Gain in Seventy count only what has happened to Ameri- Homes Owned …..•. 12,000 750,000 Ye(1J)"S can Negroes in the recent depression years he Farms Operated ….. 8,80,000 could easily present facts to indicate, at least 20,000 738,000 from an economic standpoint, that the group had 70,000 860,000 lost much of its gains of the previous decade. To Businesses Conducted . 2,100 $2,500,000,000 get a more accurate measure of the progress of 67,900 the Negro group in America it is necessary to Financial Strength … $20,000,000 $2,480,000,000 take a long time view. Seventy years (1866 to 1936) has elapsed since slavery was abolished in Educational Progress- 10 90 80 the United States and under freedom Negroes 15 800 785 have had opportunity, in spite of handicaps and Per Cent Literate ..•. 100,000 2,500,000 restrictions, to demonstrate their capabilities. Schools for Higher 600 55,000 2,400,000 $60,000 $65,000,000 54,41)0 We are too prone to measure achievements in Training* …….. . $700,000 $61,700,000 economic terms. There are other values-moral, Students in Pub I i c $80,000 $3,500,000 $64,940,000 spiritual and intellectual, to be taken into ac- $61,000,000 Schools ………. . Teachers in all Schools $3,420,000 Property for Higher Education …….. . Annual Expenditures for all Education .. Amount R a i sed by Negroes ……••..
Religious Progres8- Number of ChUrches .. 700 45,000 44,300 4,700,000 Communicants ….•.. 600,000 5,300,000 Sunday Schools …… 36,000 35,000 Sunday School Pupils • 1,000 2,200,000 2,150.000 50,000 $210,000,000 $208,500,000 Value Church Property $1,500,000 • Includes Public High Schools. count. These are difficult to present in a factual [289 ]
manner, but some indirect evidence of such prog- Years N umber Receiving gress is indicated in the emphasis which, through 1901-1905 the years, the group has placed upon home build- 1906-1910 ……………………………. 1 ing and the imparting of moral and spiritual pre- 1911-1915 cepts to the children in the home. 1916-1920 ……………………………. 3 1921-1925 ……………………………. 4 Intellectual progress is indicated in the record 1926-1930 ……………………………. 9 of the achievements of Negroes in all the fields 1931-1935 ……………………………. 12 of intellectual endeavor, as shown in the various ……………………………. 18 editions of the Negro Year Book under "Inven- ……………………………. 63 tions" and "Scholastic Achievements." They relate particularly to what Negroes have done in Total ……………………………. 117 open competition in the best high schools, colleges and universities of the country. In the high Thus from 1867 to 1930, 54 Negroes received schools are found an increasing number of Negro Doctor of Philosophy degrees, whereas in the five students getting the highest ratings,. becoming year period, 1931-1935, there were 63 Negroes the valedictorians of their classes, receiving schol- receiving this degree. arships, prizes and other awards. Many have graduated cum laude and magna cum laude from Negro Drift to the Cities such leading universities and colleges as Syracuse, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Bates, Tufts and Harvard. The Negro population is still, in the main, rural, Negroes have achieved scholastic distinction in but in 1930, only 56.3 per cent was rural, as comall the fields of learning, in the humanities and pared with 66 per cent in 1920, and 72.7 per cent in the social and physical sciences. in 1910. This indicates the increasing movement of Negroes to urban centers, and if the trend The following tables show first, the number of continues it is probable that by 1940, the Negro, Negroes elected to Phi Beta Kappa in the sixty- like the white population, will be predominantly two years, 1874 to 1935 inclusive; and second, urban. the number who have been awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in the sixty years, 1876 to The general trend of the Negro movement has 1935.* been from rural areas and small urban centers to cities of 100,000 or more inhabitants. Between NUMBER OF NEGROES WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO MEM- 192'0 and 1930, the Negro population of urban territory increased from 3,559,473 to 5,193,913, BERSHIP IN THE PHI BETA KAPPA FRATERNITY 1874-1935 while that of rural areas decreased from 6,903,658 to 6,697,230. The Negro population of cities, with Year8 Number Elected 100,000 or more inhabitants, increased approxi- mately 1,200,000 during that same period.
1874-1880 ……………………………. 4 NEGROES IN UNITED STATES IN URBAN AND RURAL 1881-1885 ……………………………. 1 COMMUNITIES per-eent 1886-1890 ……………………………. 0 Year Urban Rural Ur<ban Rural 1891-1895 …………….•.•.•••••••.•••••• 5 1930 5,193,913 6,697,230 43.1 56.3 1896-1900 ……………………………. 1 1920 3,559,473 6,903,658 34.0 66.0 1901-1905 ……………………………. 7 1910 2,684,797 7,142,966 27.3 72.7 1906-1910 ……………………………. 6 1900 2,005,972 6,828,022 22.7 77.3 1911-1915 ……………………………. 10 1890 1,481,142 6,007,534 19.8 80.2 1916-1920 ……………………………. 24 1921-1925 ……………………………. 21 In 1930 there were 2,881,790 Negroes in the 93 cities having a total population of 100,000 or 1926-1930 ……………………………. 40 more. Seven cities-New York, Chicago, Phila- delphia, Baltimore, Washington, New Orleans 1931-1935 ……………………………. 32 and Detroit-had more than 100,000 Negroes each and over one-third of the Negro population Total ……………………………. 151 in the North was concentrated in the above four northern cities. Negroes' represented more than It is to be noted that almost as many Negroes, 38 per cent of the total population in Birmingham 72, were elected to Phi Beta Kappa in the ten and Memphis; over 33 per cent in Atlanta, Jackyear period, 1926 to 1935 as were elected, 79, in sonville and Norfolk; more than 25 per cent in the fifty-two year period, 1874 to 1925. Washington, New Orleans, Richmond, Nashville and Chattanooga; and more than 20 per cent in NUMBER OF NEGROES RECEIVING DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF Houston, Miami and Tampa. In almost every southern city, the proportion of Negroes in the PHILOSOPHY-1876-1935 total population has been decreasing, while in the northern cities the proportion has been increas- Ye'ar8 Number Receiving ing.* 1876-1880 ……………………………. 2 1881-1885 ……………………………. 0 1886-1890 ……………………………. 1 1891-1895 ……………………………. 2 1896-1900 ……………………………. 2 • Membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity is cO'nferred in • See "Negroes in the United States," 1920-1932 (page 48). the leading cO'lleges and universities O'n undergraduates whO' are amO'ng the best scholars and is for scholarship only. The degree of DoctO'r of PhilO'sophy is the highest earned degree conferred by educational institutions.
Negro View of the White Man*
By REV. HAROLD M. KINGSLEY, Cleveland, Ohio Pastor of the MI. Zion Congregational Church "WE HAVE lost faith in the white man's what the resentment in the colored man's mined religion and morals," exclaimed a Negro when he thinks of the white man's attitude. at an informal conference in the South Possibly no Anglo-Saxon ever put the issue a few months after the World War. Excitement quite so bluntly and boldly as does William James had not yet died down ; blood was at a fever heat; in his letters when he asks, "What right of emimen were wrought up with great expectancy and nent domain has the white man over darker a new self-appreciation; the rights of oppressed races?" He beseeches his fellow men of the white minorities were being championed by the fore- race to cease their "snivelling hypocrisy" and not most world leaders; men of our race had made to cloak economic exploitations with fine phrases the supreme sacrifice; the disappointment of and soft platitudes. Here he indicates the very those who were tacitly given to understand that kernel of the matter and reveals a most unusual the war made no difference, that they were ex- ability for seeing one's self as others ~ee one. pected to resume an oppressed, a backward status Those who doubt the truth of other statements in -in other words, that the war had brought no this article, will do well to ponder the words of improvement in the status of the Negro in Amer- William James. ica-struck home with sharpness of a sword and the bitterness of gall. The man who expressed The challenge is not so much that of the rethis sentiment to the Negro conference, and to demption of the black man, as that of the redemptwo white delegates honestly seeking a basis of tion of the black and white, working together, understanding, was not a radical but a thought- through an actual practice of Christianity. There ful, conservative, life-long friend of the white is still in the minds of belated races a doubt as to man and one of the steadiest champions of peace- the honesty of the white man's religion. Thus ful Christian race-adj ustment. the situation that confronts the white man today for his own salvation is that of practicing the The white visitors were surprised to find that kind of Christianity he preaches, and to erase, by the Negro not only expected a larger life as a re- a new demonstration of Christianity, a doubt sult of his sacrifices and loyalty during the war, which is not only humiliating to the conscientious but that resentment had been aroused by the new white man, but is detrimental to the honest black wave of oppression and violence 'that swept over man. Let us together restore confidence, not in the country, manifested as it was, in Washing- the white man's Christianity or the black man's ton, Chicago, Omaha and St. Paul, and that, with Christianity, but in the power of the religion of bitterness in his soul, he was beginning to doubt Jesus Christ of Nazareth, which includes a practhe integrity of the white man, his sincerity of tice of the doctrine of brotherly love to embrace purpose and the genuineness of his moral and re- all men. ligious professions. Perhaps no more self-revealing and truthful sentiment was ever uttered than To be concrete, in suggestion, I would point out this regretful indictment by this black friend of that in addition to the splendid publicity campaign the white man. carried out by religious organizations North and South, that the Home Mission Study Course pre- Picture a race the victim of caricature and fun- sents probably the finest approach for the young making, judged by its lowest and most inferior mind that has ever been presented to the public types, after the Civil War the object of a brutal in such a form, and that the Interracial Commisopposition to all fundamentals of progress, and sion of Atlanta and the Commission on Church later, after overcoming this opposition to an ex- and Race Relations of the Federal Council of tent and pushing upward to a surprising degree, Churches are all together, with other similar to be made the butt of cruel jokes, the object of agencies, presenting a program and a solution coarse ridicule, and you may understand some- that will bring better understanding, more help- ful appreciation and a real working fellowship 19;2~eprlnted from the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, June, which will help to change the Negro's unfavor- able estimate of the white man.
[291 ]
Negro as a Human
Are We Making Progress in Better Race Relationships By WILL W. ALEXANDER, Atlanta, Georgia Executive Director of Commission on Interracial Cooperation SVCH a term as "race relationships" appears eraIly, the idea that the Negro is a normal human in the language and comes into common being. This is not to say that there may not be usage without being adequately defined. The out of the African background certain influences term means different things to different people. that persist among American Negroes at the pres- Perhaps to most people in North America it means ent time. It is to say that these influences are some sort of indefinite relationship between white superficial and that the fundamental explanation and colored people. To be more exact, it prob- of the present condition of American Negroes has ably would mean the relation of Negroes to the grown out of their social inheritance, rather than general cultural and economic structure of Amer- out of inherent biological qualities.
ican life. In the American mind there came over from Progress in relating Negroes to this general slavery numerous widely held ideas about the social and economic structure would best be tested peculiar characteristics of Negroes. Long years by the extent to which it is possible for them to ago a great national leader said that if it could find an opportunity in America for the full de- be demonstrated to him that a Negro could master velopment and unhindered expression of their the higher mathematics he would believe that the capacities as human beings. It might be said that race had real intelligence. There is a widespread progress is measured by the extent to which belief that Negro children generally can be taught Negroes as a group and in their individual sta- as other children are taught up to the age of early tions are thought of as persons, and not as spe- adolescence and after that, because of certain cial kinds of persons. The difficulty has been that inevitable biological tendencies, that they cannot most white people have thought of them as spe- go through the normal educational experiences cial kinds of persons, and involved in this think- that are open to other children. An extreme and ing has been the belief in the inherent racial in- almost incredible example of this habit of attrib- feriority of Negroes as a group. As a result, it uting special racial characteristics to Negroes is has been supposed that Negroes are incapable of found in the belief that there are certain types acquiring the tools of culture necessary for full of Negroes known as "blue-gums," whose bite is participation in American life. Because of this as poisonous as that of a serpent! One can still assumption, Negroes generally have been assigned find this belief in some sections of the South.
to an inferior status. Discrimination has been There is a large body of tradition about Negro justified on the ground that it was inevitable be- health, which assumes that because of biological cause of this inherent racial inferiority. This old inheritances Negroes react to disease in ways that argument by which slavery was justified is used white people do not. Many articles have been to explain any retardation that may be found to written in a serious attempt to maintain this be characteristic of Negro Americans in any field. thesis. These assumptions have given rise to the All shortcomings in the Negro community, idea which is generally accepted that in most whether high death rate, high incidence of homi- fields of human achievement a colored person who cide, or irregular domestic relations, are explained shows particular aptitude must have white blood on this ground. in his veins. The tendency to give a racial explanation to Some really pious people support their belief in everything distinctive in the Negro community in the Negro's variation from the normal human America is, like many other folkways, entirely type not by biology but by the Scriptures. In the unscientific. The best students of anthropology South, and in other sections of the country, there find less and less that is purely biological in the are literalists who find in the story of Ham a basis differences between human beings. The first task, for the belief that the Negro group suffers from therefore, in improving race relations in America a special divine curse which makes them entirely was to establish, in the thinking of people gen- different and, of course, inferior to other human [292 ] beings. A friend of mine-a college graduate and able to acquire and contrih'ute to the culture by a fervent and active lay evangelist-declines to which they are surroijnded. The less effective have anything whatever to do with Negroes and schools have fallen by the wayside, but the better believes that they should not be encouraged to par- ones have survived and many others have been ticipate in anything but the most unimportant added. Educational opportunities for Negroes human activities. He is sure that they are di- are better today than ever before. vinely assigned to a position of inferiority and that no human effort can alter this. He holds White and Colored Students that nothing can be done to improve the condition of Negro life until Christ returns bodily to the Recently, over a period of three years, it was earth to reign-that He will then change the color my privilege to participate in the selection of some of their skin, straighten their hair, and give them seventy young people from colleges of the South an opportunity to become as other human beings. for graduate study in the best schools in this coun- It would seem that most white Americans have try. The number was divided between white and been preoccupied almost to the point of an obses- colored on the basis of popUlation. The careers sion with finding the ways in which Negroes dif- of these students were followed with great care. fer from other human beings. Although most of them had difficulty in meeting the requirements of the graduate schools, the diffi- There always have been white Americans who culties of the colored students were no greater were unwilling to accept the belief that Negroes than those of the whites. Each year some of the were racially inferior. The early educational op- students selected did distinguished work, and a portunities for Negroes were developed on the fair number of Negroes were always found in assumption that they had the capacity to acquire this group. This undoubtedly indicates that the the tools by which to participate in the civilization best of the colored colleges in the South are now of which they were a part. It must be remem- doing work of a high grade-some of them, work bered that this effort began less than a hundred equally as thorough and excellent as that of any years ago. Of course, during the period of slavery other educational institutions in this section. A Negroes incidentally and imperfectly acquired few distinguished centers of education for Necertain of these tools, but it is only since the Civil groes are being developed in the far South. Out War that anything like an adequate opportunity of all this will come an increasing number of men for education has been available for them. In and women who are able to make real contribuspite of this late beginning, there are today groups tions to the development of American life and to of Negroes in America who have acquired the the enrichment of American culture. tools of learning and who are doing excellent work in every field of human endeavor. The number of Twenty years ago the great graduate schools these is increasing every year and the examples outside the South were reluctant to accept Negro of Negro achievement in the field of human learn- students, and very few such students were ening are becoming more and more striking with rolled in these schools. This was perhaps due to each generation of college students. Slowly some extent to hesitation on the part of the col- Negroes themselves are refuting the popular be- leges to face the complications that might arise lief as to their inferiority. Intelligent Americans from the introduction of Negroes into their stuwho have made any careful observations no longer dent bodies. In addition, however, their experidoubt the ability of Negroes to participate fully ence had been that the Negro students who apin our American culture and to meet successfully plied for admission were not well prepared. That the discipline which this culture imposes. There has changed, so that in practically all the leading is an increasing number of white Americans who graduate schools of this country Negroes are to view Negroes as normal human beings. This is be found in increasing numbers, and many of a great step forward in race relationships. them are doing creative work of a high order. These graduate schools now welcome well-pre- Perhaps no educational effort ever yielded pared Negro students. greater results in so short a time than the schools for Negroes which were established in the South Higher education for Negroes was offered forafter the Civil War. In most instances the in- merly only by schools that were supported by the struction was excellent. However, these schools mission boards and philanthropic agencies. This were not always wisely located, and there was is no longer true. There has been a great increase wasteful duplication because of the lack of denom- in state-supported institutions of higher learning inational cooperation. They were never ade- throughout the South. The primary task of these quately financed. There was a lack of libraries institutions has been with the preparation of and laboratory equipment. Yet, as a result of teachers. The academic standards are constantly this effort, it was demonstrated that Negroes are being raised, and as the depression lifts an in- creasing amount of money will be available out
of tax funds for these state institutions of higher education of this great number of white people learning. This is a significant indication of the has been a significant factor in preparing the way growing recognition that Negroes are capable of for better race relations. As education becomes acquiring the tools for full participation in Amer- more pervasive and realistic, tolerance, restraint ican life and culture. and appreciation for Negroes will increase among So much has been written about Negro educa- whites.
tion in the South that those who have not made a One of the most significant things that has hap- detailed study are likely to assume that the edu- pened in the South in the past fifteen years is the cation of the masses-of Negroes is well provided increasing attention which has been given by the for. A visit to one of the better supported Negro colleges to the social sciences. These courses in- colleges may be very misleading to the uninitiated. evitably have taken into consideration the Negro One will find an alert and well-trained faculty and as part of the social structure. In almost every an eager and able student body. Here the best white college in the South today there are courses fruits of Negro life are concentrated-a life not in race relations in which the students are being essentially different in any way from the life on challenged to view the presence of Negroes in the the campuses of other American colleges. Look- population in the same objective way in which ing upon a group of this sort, the uninitiated is they would view any other social phenomena. Of likely to feel that ample provision has been made particular significance is work of this sort which for educational opportunities for Negroes in is being done in the colleges for the training of America. The fact remains, however, that the white teachers. Courses of study calculated to great masses of Negroes in the South are yet of- give these future teachers intelligent and under- fered only the most meager opportunities for edu- standing attitudes regarding Negroes are pro- cation. The tax funds available for all education vided, along with instructions in using the day-by- in the Southern states are lower than the average day experiences in the schoolroom in such a way for the nation. Although the South spends a as to build tolerant attitudes on the part of white larger per cent of its public money on education children. All this means that out of the white than other sections of the country, only a small schools of the South-college and elementary-are proportion of this is spent on the Negro children. coming groups of younger citizens who are open- This results in inadequate buildings, poorly minded, sympathetic and socially intelligent, and trained teachers, and usually no libraries. As who are ready to accept Negroes as human beings dramatic and encouraging as have been the re- with the capacity for contributing to the develop- sults of Negro education,-adequate educational op- ment of civilization and the enrichment of life.
portunities are only beginning to touch the fringes At the moment the greatest difficulty in relating of the Negro communities in the South where the Negroes to the social and economic structure in masses of the Negro population are concentrated. American life is to find adequate opportunity for Improvement in race relations will be possible to the creative ability of these people into whose the extent with which this opportunity for acquir- hands are being put the tools of knowledge. With ing the tools of knowledge is extended to the the exception of the remarkable group of men and masses of Negroes. women of distinction in the various fields of art, The founders of Negro schools in the South the largest opportunities that are open to Negroes after the Civil War seemed to assume that the of education and training are in service to their task was wholly one of educating Negroes. This own people. This means that a great number of was not the case. There were in the South large the most inspiring fields of human endeavor are numbers of white people whose education had closed to Negroes, and that with the exception of been almost as completely negected as that of the fields of art and education Negroes are being the Negroes. At the end of the Civil War there offered very limited opportunities for self-expres- was no system of elementary schools such as had sion. They are demonstrating their capacity for been accepted as a matter of course in most full participation in American life very much American communities. Illiteracy was general more rapidly than opportunities are being offered among the great masses of white people in the for adequate self-expression. Undoubtedly Ne- South. The aftermath of the War was such as to groes are capable of acquiring the tools of Amer- make it impossible to view the educational task ican culture. A hopeful beginning has been made of white and colored in the South as one; conse- in providing opportunities for them to do so.
quently, the idea of white education and Negro Means must and will be provided in American life education developed as separate tasks. Slowly a by which the varied abilities of these Negro Amer- public school system – first largely for whites – icans may be adequately expressed. This is the was established in the South. This is still inade- next step in the improvement of race relations in quate in many sections, but it is growing and the America.
D. JONES-Educator HOWARD THURMAN-Preacher
Some Outstanding Negro Christians -"if By CHANNING H. TOBIAS, New York National Council of the Y. M. C. A.
I T IS difficult to select six outstanding Negro ida Baptist Academy, then located at Jacksonville. Christians from a large number, almost any He was a serious student but showed keen interest one of whom might qualify for such a place. in questions not directly related to his class work. I approach the task as the football coach might, He was the chief promoter of voluntary religious who is about to choose his All-American te~m activities in the Academy and a debater of more from a large number of eligibles. After review- than ordinary ability. Upon completion of his ing records of achievement and other factors, I preparatory course he entered Morehouse College finally chose those that appeal to me personally. "in Atlanta, Georgia, where his work was so out- By Negro Christians we are not limited to pro- standing that he was held over for a year of teachfessional Christian workers but include also ing before he entered the Rochester Theological Christians in various fields of useful service. My Seminary. list, therefore, includes a preacher, an educator, a musician, a scientist, a club woman and a busi- During his three years at Rochester he so disness man. tinguished himself as a speaker that he was in great demand as a chapel and conference preacher Howard Thurman – Preacher in many of the leading colleges of the East and West. As a matter of fact, few men in their stu- Though still under forty years of age, Howard dent days have been as well known and favorably Thurman stands in the front ranks of the preach- received beyond their campuses as Thurman. ersof this generation, regardless of race. I met him first as a boy in his teens attending the Flor- Upon completion of his work at Rochester, he accepted the call of a small church in Oberlin, [295 ]
Ohio, where he combined study at Oberlin College Wesleyan and was graduated in the class of 1911. with his church duties. Soon after going to Ober- He was called to the attention of Dr. John R. Mott, lin he married, but unfortunately Mrs. Thurman then executive secretary of the Student Departfailed in health in the first year of their married' ment of the International Committee of Young life. It became necessary for her to go south, so Men's Christian Associations, and immediately it was decided that she should go to her native upon graduation, was invited to join the staff of town of La Grange, Georgia, and at the same the Student Department as an associate of Wiltime Mr. Thurman accepted a call to become liam A. Hunton, the only Negro member of the preacher for Spelman and Morehouse Colleges of staff. He accepted the call and served as visiting Atlanta. During his first year there Mrs. Thur- secretary to Negro schools and colleges in the man died, leaving a baby daughter. Always of a Southern states. In this connection he was one mystical temper.ament, this sorrow led Mr. Thur- of the organizers of the Kings Mountain Student man into more complete fellowship with his Lord, Conference which has for all the years since renand resulted in his getting a leave of absence to dered the same type of service for Negro students spend part of a year in meditation and study with as has been rendered for students in general by Rufus Jones, the great mystic of Haverford. En- the Northfield and Lake Geneva conferences. riched by this experience, but desirous of still more quiet and meditation he went to Scotland the After three years as a student secretary, Mr. following summer, and there combined study and J ones was called to the secretaryship of the Colpreaching with his meditations. On returning to ored Men's Branch of the Young Men's Christian America he resumed his work at Atlanta for an- Association of St. Louis, Missouri, where he other year and then accepted a call to the School erected a $300,000 building and built up a large of Religion at Howard University of Washington, membership and community following. After ten D. C. This position he still holds. Soon after he constructive years at St. Louis, he entered busiwas married to Miss Sue Bailey, a secretary of ness for a brief period and later served for a year the National Board of the Y. W. C. A. as field secretary of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation with headquarters at Atlanta, At the invitation of the Student Christian Georgia. Movements of North America and India, Mr. and Mrs. Thurman for the past i+ve months have been There was need for a first-class college for engaged in an evangelistic tour of the college cen- Negro women in that section of the South and ters of India. Enthusiastic comments on the ex- in 1926 Mr. Jones was invited to reorganize Bentraordinary services rendered on this mission nett College, which had existed for more than have come not only from Indian leaders but from thirty years as a small coeducational institution Dr. Stanley Jones and other well-known mis- under the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methsionaries. odist Episcopal Church. With the assistance of Dean Holgate, of Northwestern University, as The Federal Council of Churches of Christ in adviser, he set to work with a handful of students. America has extended an invitation to Mr. Thur- At the end of ten years, what do we find? A beauman to join the National Preaching Mission that tiful campus with ten buildings to serve the acawill tour the principal cities of the United States demic and dormitory needs of nearly three hunnext autumn. dred college students; a faculty of highly trained Christian men and women; an "A" classification David Dallas Jones – Educator granted by the accrediting board of the Southern Association of Colleges; community good will for Although Bennett College for Women of the college expressed by white and black alike; Greensboro, N. C., over which David D. Jones enthusiastic support by the sponsoring church presides, is only ten years old, the place that it boards; the gift of three buildings by two dehas achieved in that time shows that he merits voted Christians – Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfieffer, a place in the vanguard of Christian educators. proprietors of the Hudnut Perfumery Company of New York, and substantial operating aid from Born of humble Christian parents in Greens- the great educational foundations. Closely assoboro, N. C., forty-eight years ago, Mr. Jones re- ciated with President Jones in this remarkable ceived his early training in his home town and accomplishment has been his efficient wife, Mrs. in New Orleans, Louisiana, where later he lived Susie Williams Jones, a graduate of the Univerwith his older brother, editor of the Southwestern sity of Cincinnati. During these busy years, Christian Advocate and afterwards bishop of the President Jones found time also to pursue grad- Methodist Episcopal Church. Young Jones did uate studies at Columbia University where he resuch creditable work in high school at New ceived his A.M. degree in 1930. He is a member Orleans that his brother helped him to go on to of the Wesleyan University chapter of Phi Beta Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut, Kappa. to pursue his studies. He worked his way through
SOME OUTSTANDING NEGRO CHRISTIANS
HARRY T. BURLE'IGH teacher's orchestral compositions. The melody of these Spirituals made such a deep impression Harry T. Burleigh – Musician upon Dvorak that he wove them into what has be- come his most popular composition, "The New In commenting on the life of Burleigh, one World Symphony." writer has said, "If Harry Burleigh's musical gift had been less genuine it might have been smoth- After completing four years' work at the Conered by the difficulties of his life, for this com- servatory, Burleigh's great moment came, in poser-to-be was born and reared in deep poverty, 1894, when the position of baritone soloist became with the added handicap of Negro blood." vacant in St. George's Episcopal Church in New York – one of the largest churches in the city. Born in Erie, Pa., seventy years ago of poor Mr. Burleigh was the only Negro among the sixty parents, his early youth was spent in sandwiching applicants, but he had the voice desired and Dr. in a public school education between selling news- Rainsford, the rector, and the vestrymen did not papers, running errands and working at odd jobs allow the color of his skin to prevent him from to help his mother care for a family of five chil- serving. He has remained a member of this choir dren after the early death of his father. His for forty-two years. For over thirty years of school-teacher discovered in him a passionate love this period, he sang also at Temple Emanuel, one for music and encouraged his mother to let him of the largest and most influential synagogues in hear the performances of great artists who visited the nation. On one of Burleigh's several Eurothe city from time to time. Among those artists pean tours he sang for King Edward VII, and were Madam Carreno and Mrs. MacDowell. Soon the heads of other European governments. He he began to sing in church choirs on Sunday and has composed music for more than two hundred in Jewish synagogues on Saturdays. At the age songs and has written scores for a volume of of twenty he studied stenography and worked as Negro Spirituals. In spite of this, he modestly a stenographer until he was twenty-six years of insists that he is not a composer, yet when one age: When he heard that the National Conserva- thinks of his popular arrangement of "Deep tory of Music in New York City had offered River," his "Little Mother of Mine" which is the scholarships, he at once determined to try for one. song most in use on Mother's Day, his popular He went to New York and was given an audition ballad "Jean," and his "Ethiopia Salutes the and awarded a scholarship. Dvorak, the noted Colors"-a setting of Walt Whitman's poem, we composer, then director of the Conservatory, be- are compelled to insist that he is not only a comcame so much impressed by the young Negro that poser but a distinguished one. he gave him considerable time outside of class hours. Burleigh played and sang for Dvorak the George Washington Carver – Scientist Negro Spirituals and also copied many of his George Washington Carver was born about sixty-nine years ago of slave parents on the Mis- souri farm of Moses Carver. His earliest recol- lections were the death of his father and the steal- ing of himself and his mother by a band of raiders in the last year of the Civil War. Moses Carver gave a race horse valued at three hundred dollars to redeem young George and had him returned to the Missouri farm where he was reared.
His early training consisted of the mastery of the famous old blue-backed speller. Lodging in the cabins of friendly Negroes, sleeping in open fields or in a hospitable stable, he continued his studies for a year, keeping ever close to the soil. The wanderlust seized him early, and he set out toward Kansas, "the home of the free." For nine years he worked as a domestic servant at Fort Scott, studying day and night as his employment permitted. His next move was to Minneapolis, Kansas, where he finished a high school course, and entered Iowa State College. He met his school expenses by managing a laundry. On completing the work for his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, he was made a member of the faculty in charge of
Mary McLeod Bethune – Educator Mary McLeod Bethune was one of a family of seventeen children, born of slave parents in an humble cabin on a rice and cotton farm near Mayesville, S. C. When she was about eleven years old a little school was opened near Mayes- ville by the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church and Mary was among. the first children who walked the four miles to school and back.
Her mother said, "We had to make some of· the children go but it seems that Mary, little as she was, understood what it all meant." In a few years the little school had done its best for Mary, and one day Miss Wilson, her beloved teacher, told her that Miss Mary Crissman, a dressmaker in Denver, Colo., wanted to pay for a little girl's schooling at Scotia Seminary, in Concord, N. C., Mary was chosen to go and in the autumn she bade good-bye to old friends and took her first railroad journey to Scotia Seminary. Here she was awkward and shy at first, but met every slight and every criticism with unfailing good humor and soon won the hearts of both teachers and stu- dents. At the close of her work at Scotia Sem- inary she received a scholarship which enabled her to continue her studies at the Moody Bible In- stitute, Chicago. At the end of two years at this GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER institution, she hoped to fulfill a long cherished desire to go to Africa as a missionary, but learned the Green House, the Bacteriological Laboratory and the Department of Systematic Botany. Soon he was discovered by Booker T. Washington who called him to his lifework at Tuskegee Institute, where he still labors.
During his long stay at Tuskegee, he has had tempting offers, one of them from Thomas A.
Edison, but he has promptly turned them all down because of his desire to cooperate in the training of his own people. He has been honored by elec- tion to membership! in the Royal Society of Lon- don, and to this day does not know who suggested his name. He has discovered hundreds of uses for potatoes, peanuts and pecans, freely giving his formulas to the public without attempting to commercialize his findings. He is in demand as a lecturer on the platforms of white as well as Negro colleges of the South and has appeared be- fore committees of Congress in the interest of the agricultural development of the South and in the interests of his own people. In spite of all the honors that have come to him Prof. Carver is a devout, humble Christian and attributes his scien- tific success to his close communion with God. He is fond of quoting the passage, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth." MARY McLEOD BETHUNE
that all the colored stations in Africa were filled. At an early age, however, he sought relief from She was therefore appointed a teacher at the the daily routine of farm life and joined his uncle, Lucy Laney School in Augusta, Georgia, and there a practicing physician, in Durham, N. C. His she labored faithfully for a year or two by the first job there was a dishwasher in the Durside of Lucy Laney, a great Negro teacher who ham Hotel, for ten dollars a month. He was soon had a profound influence on the shaping of Mrs. promoted to head bell boy and then side waiter, Bethune's life. but found that he could not attend school while holding these jobs, and took a position as cook for Her great pioneer venture took place at Day- a distinguished judge whom he served for two tona, Florida, where in October, 1904, she began years while going to school. Upon graduation a small institution for Negro girls. Five little from the graded school he accepted a job as mangirls responded to the first call of her school bell ager of a grocery company into which twenty-five in a cabin room of what was Mterwards to become of Durham's leading colored citizens had put ten the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School. The opening exercises consisted of the CHARLES CLINTON SPAULDING reading of the Twenty-third Psalm, the singing of the old hymn, "Leaning on" the Everlasting Arm," dollars each. When the company got into finanand a fervent prayer to God for help and guid- cial straits the other members withdrew their inance. On that same site today stands Bethune- vestment, and Spaulding was left with bare Cookman College, with thirty-two acres of land, shelves and three hundred dollars indebtedness. fourteen buildings and a plant estimated conserv- It took him five years to work out of this situaatively at $800,000. tion. Just at that time his uncle and another friend decided to make an effort to launch an in- The personality of Mary McLeod Bethune was surance company and Spaulding was called in to too dynamic to be confined to a single college help. With such funds as they could spare he campus and soon she was in demand as a speaker launched the company, serving as office boy, janion many platforms of her own race and of the tor and manager. He sold all of the policies, colwhite group. Now she is regarded as one of the lected all of the premiums and kept all the records. most attractive speakers in America regardless Out of his first travels over the state grew the of sex or race. I have heard her at Carnegie structure of the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Hall, along with Rabbi Wise and other distin- Company, founded in 1898. guished speakers, and on another occasion on the same program with Carrie Chapman Catt, and This company has weathered the depression always she has impressed her audience not only with the force of her eloquence but the sincerity of her spirit.
She was the leading spirit in establishing a home for delinquent Colored girls in Ocala, Florida. She has served as president of the Southeastern Federation of Women's Clubs and as president of the National Association of Colored Women. Recently she was made a member of the National Advisory Committee of the National Youth Administration, and a year ago she was given the Spingarn Medal, which is the highest distinction a Negro can claim.
Charles Clinton Spaulding – Business Man Born on a small North Carolina farm, Charles Clinton Spaulding manages today the largest insurance company operated by members of the Negro race. The company maintains an agency force in eight states and has headquarters in a $250,000 modern, seven-story office building in Durham, N. C. Last year it paid policyholders a total of $1,440,965, and the total insurance now in force amounts to $36,683,621.
As soon as Spaulding was able to do a day's work in the field he was sent out with the other boys of the family to take his turn at the plow.
and stands today as the leading Negro business Church of Durham; he also serves as a member concern in America. A loan of approximately of the Board of Trustees of Shaw University, Ral- $300,000, secured less than three years ago from eigh, N. C., and of Howard University, Washingthe'Reconstruction Finance Corporation, has been ton, D. C., and is a member of the Executive Compaid back in its entirety-which is somewhat un- mittee of the National Negro Business League. usual in these difficult times. He is deeply interested in helping to lift the masses of his people to a higher plane of living, In spite of the heavy responsibilities resting and is known for his cooperation with white and upon Mr. Spaulding' as president of the North colored people in efforts at better interracial Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, he finds understanding. time to give service to the White Rock Baptist THE NATIONAL NEGRO ANTHEM Hymn Composed by James Weldon Johnson; Set to Music by His Brother Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea; Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun Of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast'ning rod F1elt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path thro' the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray, Lest our feet stray from the places, our God; where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, true to our Native Land.
Great Need· of the Negro
The Training of Christian Leaders By DEAN C. L. HILL, Atlanta, Georgia Turner Theological Seminary, Morris Brown College PERHAPS the greatest need of the Negro mi- ing consciousness of the worth of training on the nority group in America today is a trained part of the Negro masses, when he sees the in- Christian leadership. Nor is this a mere creasing numbers of boys and girls who yearly sweeping generalization. There are many press- are streaming forth from the halls of the institu- ing problems confronting the black man in Amer- tions of learning all over the length and breadth ica. There are the maladjustments of a social of America? Certainly there is a demand for set-up which is, in many respects, anti-Christian. trained and effective Christian leadership among There is the cruel and bloodless economic scheme Negroes today.
which, especially in the Southern states, has re- This call to Christian leadership means a call to solved the life of the black man into a program preparation. It presupposes the possession of in- of bald economics and a concomitant tendency to tellectual and scientific culture. The Christian regard the life he lives as merely synonymous leader is in no small measure an interpreter of with vegetation. In other words, the popular the age in which he lives. He is a sort of "specphilosophy of life among a vast majority of black tator of all time and existence." He deals prifolk is that expressed by Feuerbach: Mann ist marily with the spirit of the times. He must was er isst-"man is what he eats"-, and the therefore be conversant with the thought and Negro in the terrific struggle for mere biological tendencies of the age.
existence is determined to vegetate at any cost. Moreover, each age has its peculiar challenges This attitude is largely the result of the poor to culture, and in order to meet these challenges, wages earned by Negro laborers and also the dis- the Christian leader must be thoroughly trained crimination that has attended many of the eco- and prepared. There are, too, those periodic nomic programs affecting the populace within the thrusts of unbelief aimed against the bulwark of last five years, particularly in the Southland. Fi- the Church and ordered society, seeking to disnally, there is the problem touching the political rupt the very foundations of the Church and activity of the black man: mobocracy, mock jus- gnawing at the viscera of civilization. In order tice in the courtrooms, and a general denial of to stem the tide of the atheistic, cynical, anti- the inalienable rights of all men, theoretically Christian and anti-American waves of thought, guaranteed by the Constitution of the United the Christian, and leader must be "fitted unto States of America. every good work."
But none of these, I believe, constitute the most The very nature of Christianity presupposes preeminent, the most imperative, the most urgent trained leadership. Our faith is not a religion of problem before which the Negro of today stands. forms and imaginations. It is not something His greatest need is for trained and capable Chris- spun out of the vagaries of human speculation.
tian leaders; a leadership that understands his It is a revelation of essential, absolute truth; of plight, that sympathizes with him, and possesses historic, rational and moral truth. It has to do sufficient clarity of vision to point the way out with life and reality, not with appearance. In of his dilemma, on the basis of the Christian order to seize upon the central germ of Christian world-view. truth, life and reality, the Christian leader must Another factor that demands a trained Chris- be trained in the rudiments and fundamental principles of historic Christianity. tian leadership is perhaps the most elemental of all : the growing consciousness of the need and Show me a Christian leader with wide culture; worth of education on the part of the masses of a man who is at home in philosophy, and whose black folk. A trained following certainly demands friends are the poets; a man who bristles with a trained leadership. To educate the laity and to knowledge and information, and I will show you neglect the clergy is not only folly, but is a great a powerful and dynamic incentive to his feH<?wtragedy. And who will deny that there is a grow- men.
[301 ]
There is a very definite and widespread de- two are under the supervision of the M. E. Church mand for trained Christian leaders among Ne- (White), while Morris Brown College is solely groes. There is a growing need for efficient and under the auspices of the African Methodist Epis- capable Negro leadership. The next question nat- copal Church of Georgia.
urally follows: What are we doing to satisfy this These institutions work under an affiliated re- need? lationship. Gammon Seminary is devoted entirely All over America institutions of learning have to the training of Christian leaders, pastors and been established by and for Negroes. Especially mIsSIOnaries. The other colleges confine them- numerous are these institutions in the South selves solely to educational curricula as such, with where there is no mixed education among the the exception of Morris Brown and Morehouse, races. Therefore, almost every southern state both of which operate theological seminaries in has its own colleges and seminaries for the reli- connection with the regular college work.
gious and educational training of Negro leader- Each summer there is held an Interdenom- ship. inational Ministers' Institute, whose faculty is The various Christian denominations are rep- drawn from Gammon, Turner Theological Semresented in this great enterprise. Schools have inary of Morris Brown College, and the Morebeen founded by the following branches of Chris- house Divinity School. The Institute is run for a tianity: Episcopal, Lutheran, Congregational, period of four weeks, and attracts students from Baptist (white and colored),· Presbyterian, Ro- all the southern states. The enrolment has man Catholic, M. E. Church (North and South), reached as high as seventy-five young men and C. M. E. Church, A. M. E. Church, A. M. E. Zion women, who are otherwise engaged during the winter terms and consequently cannot attend a Church, and the Holiness Church. seminary, but who take advantage of the summer Toward Mutual Understanding Institute, to better prepare themselves for ·Chris- Northern philanthrophy has been especially ac- tian leadership. tive in the furthering of Negro education in the Of all these noble experiments, the most strik- South. Nor have the more enlightened and Chris- ing is that of Morris Brown College. For over tian whites of the South held themselves aloof fifty years this college has been engaged in prefrom this enterprise. Many have thrown off the paring men and women for leadership in the shackles of color prejudice, have risen above the Christian world. Its many struggles and vicissiartificial walls that have for so long separated the tudes and its unfaltering faith in the ability of blacks from the whites, have torn down the middle the Negro to do something for himself, have walls of partition, and have dared to cross the earned for it the name: "The noblest of noble boundary lines separating their Palestine from experiments"; for it is the total embodiment of our Tyre and Sidon, indeed have crossed the the real philosophy of the black man in America borders with Jesus of Nazareth and have minis- -self-respect, self-help and initiative.
tered to the needs of an underprivileged minority Thus both whites and blacks are combining group. For all of this we are deeply thankful. their efforts and centering them upon the train- We regard this as a great step toward mutual ing of Negroes for Christian leadership. We understanding, and a contribution toward the cannot here enumerate and discuss the many in- solution of the problem between the races in stitutions doing constructive work along the line America, which after all, must be fought out with of Negro education. Suffice it to say that the peaceful means on southern soil. Negro is beautifully cooperating with all outside But knowing, as I do, the struggles and heart- forces that are seeking to ameliorate his condiaches and heroic deeds of a people attempting to tion.
do something for themselves, I am inclined to be- What now is the philosophy for the education lieve that the most noble experiments in the train- of the Negro underlying Christian leadership?
ing of Negro leadership are those being tried by What principles are being inculcated in the hearts institutions owned, operated and controlled solely and minds of N~gro youth? There are several.
by Negroes for Negroes. The first aspect of this philosophy of Christian The center of Negro higher education in the education may be described by the words of Dr.
south is the city of Atlanta, Georgia. Here are Emil Brunner in his famous book, "The Media- to be found the following institutions: The At- tor": "The problem of Crisis, which is the prob- lanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse lem of God." Negro Christian education is College, Morris Brown College, Clark University, throughout fundamentally theistic. This consti- and Gammon Seminary. Of these colleges, the tutes the very ground-plan of its system. We first three are and have been backed by educa- teach that there is and there can be no truth tional funds and the Baptist Church. The last which is not founded on the immutable will and
THE GREAT NEED OF THE NEGRO TODAY
character of God. He is the source of all truth, fore, our Ne'gro Christian leaders must inveigh heavily against our common enemy, sin. all reality, all certainty. And a world without The last fundamental aspect of Negro Christian God is a world in which riddle and enigma reign education is the idea of the Kingdom of God. If the Creator-God is a universal Father, if all men supreme. possess personalities or souls dear to this Creator- God, and if confusion and misunderstanding have Nor does Negro Christian education teach a risen out of "sin," then the logical conclusion is the need for some ideal quantity, in which all men God of mere intellectual faith. We seek not the can participate in a fuller life and freer light. Aside from the general characteristics given to God of science or philosophy. We seek the God the "Kingdom-concept" found in the Gospel tradi- tions of Jesus, by the various New Testament of human experience. And this God we find in scholars, such as esthatological, apocalyptic, char- ismatic, spiritual and futuristic aspects, Negro Jesus of Nazareth. We teach the God on whom Christian education assumes the attitude that if the Kingdom of God means anything, it means Paschal called in a moment of spiritual weakness: brotherhood. The Kingdom is a spiritual world, in which all men are brothers in Jesus Christ, "Not the God of the philosopher or of the scien- sons of one common Father; and if solutions for our human problems are to come, they must tist. But the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." emanate from this Kingdom of God controlled and enlightened consciences. We personally be- A firm belief in a good, righteous, just and merci- lieve that a "Christian World" is a misnomer, a dream, a fancy, a phantom. The world has never ful God who, in the language of Jesus is "Our been Christian, is not now, nor ever shall be. But we believe in a "world of Christianity," and this Father," is the fundamental aspect of Negro for us, is the Kingdom of God. Wherever there are Christian endeavors, Christian ambitions, Chris- Christian education. tian literature, Christian sermons, Christian schools and colleges, there may be found the Another aspect ot' Negro education is the belief "world of Christianity" and consequently, the Kingdom in which all men ought to cooperate with in the dignity and worth of human personality. God for the common good.
This good and righteous God, this Creator-God, Coming to the Light regards all human beings as equally precious in What are the results of Negro Christian educa- tion? Since its incipiency the Christian Church His sight. He is no respecter of persons. All are has been, in a large measure, the torchbearer of civilization. Having received its light from the potential sons of God. Here there is no color line. "central sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ," it has passed this torch on to others. Wherever the Here there are no distinctions based on creed, flag of Emanuel has been planted, there the scin- tillating hues have penetrated the murky darkness color, conditions of servitude. The good Shepherd of ignorance and people, who aforetime sat in darkness, have seen a great light. The majority jeopardizes His own life to save one sheep, even of schools, colleges and universities, were founded by Christian scholars, or in a Christian atmosthough that sheep be black. We teach that no phere. The Church has blazed a trail of light and culture; has dug through the rubbish and debris man is so intrinsically evil that he cannot become of ignorance, and has set up eternal monuments to its genius in co}.leges and seminaries, monuacceptable to God. The universality of redemp- ments that shall never die.
tion covers all, even black men. And a black man From the halls of those educational institutions, founded and operated by the Christian Church for redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ is not just the training of Negro leadership, there files a long procession of sable sons and daughters who, fired another black man, but he is a personality pre- by the inspiration received behind the walls of these sacred institutions, go forth into the world cious to the heart of God, purchased from the slav- ery of sin and become a sheep of the fold. – The Negro Sense of Sin A third aspect of Negro education is the deepseated consciousness of the heinousness of sin. Here there must be no palliation. No definition of sin is satisfactory that overlooks its positive evil. Sin is not the mere maladjustment of sociology; nor the pathological mystery of medical science; nor the "not yet" of biological evolution; nor the "abnormal workings of human reason and a spontaneous declension from the moral law" (with Kant); nor the traversing of the Divine consciousness by the individual consciousness, creative of remorse (with Schleiermacher) . Sin is satanic rebellion, a plague, a sickness, a disease, a bite, a sting, a leprosy, a load of curses and calamities, everything that all good men hate; it is death itself. From it spring war, confusion, greed, lust, hypocrisy. In short, it is the death of the soul. It can oniy be overcome by that exterminating change called regeneration. We teach that from sin arise all the social evils of society-the war between capital and labor, racial antipathies, war, social injustice, political injustice, and everything ungodly. There-
to make their contribution to the religious, politi- sented by the systems now in vogue in Russia and cal and social orders of mankind. Germany, the revival of Renascence Humanism garbed in a new dress, with its deification of hu- The most lasting result of the training of Ne- man nature and its banishment of God from the groes for Christian leadership, is the decidedly throne; in a word, this procession of modern Christian world-view that is instilled in them. gods, forged in the furnace of present-day There never has been a period in human history thought, demands a Christian leadership that poswhen so many challenges have been hurled simul- sesses keen insight, a healthy optimism, an intaneously at the Church and religion in general, domitable will, and a sufficient motive power for as the present. This is an age of criticism and the solution of these problems. This is the genius inquiry, and the very substance of religion is be- of Negro Christian eduoation, that it provides ing seriously questioned. such weapons as these, with which Negro youth can engage iIi battle with the subversive currents Moreover, the degenerating influences of west- of modern thinking, and therefore can "wage a ern civilization upon the more backward peoples, good warfare, holding faith and a good conthe rise and growth of nationalism, the passion science." for innovations created by industrialism, the appearance of godless political theories as repre- Daniel Payne: Christian Educator By JOSEPHUS R. eOAN, Atlanta, Georgia Professor of Old Testament Theology and Religious Education, MOTTis Brown College THE African Methodist Episcopal Church, sailed for New York where he came in touch with with a membership of 600,000, operates eigh- the Society of Inquiry on Missions and was offered teen colleges and secondary schools and a scholarship to Gettysburg Seminary. After two twelve seminaries. For seventy-three years this years ill health forced him to leave Gettysburg policy of Christian education has contributed in and so ended his formal training. no small way to the education and Christianization of the Negro race. She has trained lay and The third period began with his first pastoral ministerial leaders and has instilled within her charge over a Presbyterian church in Troy, New constituency the ideal of self-help. York. His second charge was Israel A. M. E. church, Washington, D. C., and his third was What was .the genesis of this influential work? Bethel A. M. E. church, Baltimore. How did the African Methodist Episcopal Church begin her program of Christian education? The The fourth period includes his experiences for answer centers around the life and works of fifty-three years as a bishop, in which office he Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne, a man of self- was one of the most commanding figures in the sacrificing spirit and untiring labors. A. M. E. Church. He served all of the episcopal districts organized at that time and profoundly The life of Bishop Payne may be divided into influenced many lives. He brought the A. M. E. four periods. First, his early life and youth Church and its ministry to a position of power (1811-1835) began on February 24, 1811, in the and became an able university administrator. city of Charleston, South Carolina, where Payne was born of free parents. At seven he had In the church where Bishop Payne labored for neither father nor mother, and was cared for by fifty-three years, he is known as the "Apostle of an aunt and some members of the Brown Fellow- Christian Education." His fundamental problem ship Society, a social and benevolent organization was the elimination of the evil of race conflict in among the free Colored people of Charleston. The America and the building up of a social order Minor Moralist Society, another benevolent enter- based upon the principles of Jesus Christ. Moved prise, operated a school which the boy attended by the "calamitous fact" that his people were "enfor two years. To support himself at the age of tombed in ignorance and oppression," he labored twelve, he secured a job as apprentice to a car- for their enlightenment. His ultimate goal bepenter. Following his conversion at eighteen he came thatof a gradual change from injustice and organized a school which he conducted for five oppression. to one of justice, fellowship and recyears. onciliation. He was deeply concerned with "God's purpose for the redemption of the world," The second period includes his student days at and "transforming the dark earth into the Holy Gettysburg Seminary. Immediately after the un- City." fortunate close of his school in Charleston, Payne He became interested in educational and evan-
DANIEL PAYNE: CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR
gelistic work as a result of his conversion. The Payne's decision to join the A. M. E. Church in outcome was his consciousness of the Divine call 1841 was tremendously significant for the educato be an educator to his people. He wrote: tional policy of the church. Prior to this there is only one recorded instance of definite action re- Several weeks after this event, between twelve and one garding the educational program of the denomo'c;ock one day, I was in my humble chamber pouring out ination, but one year after Payne's affiliation with my prayers to the l.istening ears of my Saviour, when I this church he organized the "Theological Assofelt as if the hands of a man were pressing my two ciation," the object of which was "cultivating bibshoulders, and a voice speaking within my soul saying: lical knowledge and the collateral sciences." "I have set thee apart to educate thyself that thou mayest be an educator to thy people." Later he wrote a series of articles on the "Edu- This summons became his dominant purpose cation of the Ministry," which brought forth a throughout his life, in spite of repeated and severe shocks. storm of criticism. He went to the General Con- ference of 1844, and offered a resolution which The first attempt to realize his purpose was brought into existence the course of studies for experiments with a school opened in Charleston A. M. E. ministers who, at that time, were ignowhen he was only 18 years of age. During this rant and discredited. He then instigated a Genperiod he came up against situations which called eral Convention of the church to launch educafor the exercise of the strongest moral stamina tional work for the denomination. This helped to and religious dynamic. The first barrier was his mould the development of her educational policies. limited education which at that time consisted of only two years of formal training. This difficulty Bishop Payne's educational influence was most was overcome by securing books and mastering far-reaching through his work for Wilberforce their contents sufficiently to put new courses into University. This was founded in 1856 at Tawawa his curdculum. The story of his laborious studies Springs (Sweet Water) where there was an elereads like a novel. mentary school under the auspices of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In 1863 the trustees, fac- The lack of building and equipment and support ing bankruptcy were forced to sell the institution, formed another obstacle. The first year Payne and the trustees offered it to Bishop Payne for received only $3.00 per month for teaching. Had the A. M. E. Church for $10,000. Payne asked not a slave woman given him food occasionally, time to consult the members of his conferences he might have starved. But the great hindrance but the trustees demanded "now or never." As to his educational efforts was the South Carolina an act of faith he took the responsibility upon law of 1834 which prohibited the teaching of all himself saying, "In the name of God I purchase Negroes, either free or slave. It terminated for Wilberforce for the A. M. E. Church." The inat least one generation Payne's educational worK stitution was reorganized into a university with in the South. seven departments, Bishop Payne becoming the first president (1863 to 1876). This was the first Early in 1840, following his resignation from Negro university in the world. More than that his church in Troy, Payne founded an elementary he gave to the Negro race the philosophy of "selfschool in' Philadelphia. The school became in- help, self-initiative and self-confidence," for creasingly popular until the spring of the year which Wilberforce University, at Xenia, Ohio, 1843, when Bishop Morris Brown appointed stands as a unique symbol. Payne pastor of Israel A. M. E. church in Washington.
American Negro Churches, Membership and Contributions Taken from the 1926 Census as Reported in "Negroes in the United States"
Negro Negro Improvements Missions and and Denominations Churches Members EJ<penses Benevolences Adventist Bodies (2) ………. . 99 5,297 $94,550 $167,665 3,254,035 16,284,320 2,469,184 Baptist Bodies (4) ………. .. 23,173 7,312 38,267 7,038 Christian Church ……….•..• 68 30,263 394,773 90,384 16,000 295,446 20,388 Church of God in Christ ……. . 733 37,325 239,279 33,125 Congregational Church …….. . 155 5,997 62,632 7,191 Disciples of Christ ………… . 487 545,814 6,205,632 1,257,397 Lutheran Bodies (2) ………. . 456,813 4,091,023 70 202,713 1,934,540 662,993 African Methodist Episcopal 350,879 3,506,114 417,038 6,708 1,127,320 606,238 53,294 176,043 African M. E. Zion ………… . 2,466 51,502 438,912 124,324 913,914 87,826 Colored Methodist Episcopal … . 2,518 1,594 89,731 59,235 8,314 Other Methodist Bodies (6) … . 3,934 215,065 1,879 58,785 Presbyterian Bodies (4) ……. . 724 Protestant Episcopal ………. . 287 Roman Catholic Church ……. . 147 Spiritualist Bodies (3) …….. . 26 All other Church Bodies (26) .. . 1,040 Total all Denominations •..• 42,585 5,203,487 $35,749,951 $6,152,905
Youth and the
-.1 By MARTIN L. HARVEY, Hempstead, New York Director of Christian Education of Y outh, A. M. E. Zion Church,. President of the Christian Youth Council of North America "THE Church is an outworn institution, it vancement of the race, and can make many val- has had its day." So said a young man uable contributions to their own lives. recently. Undoubtedly this statement represents a Young people must be helped to understand that slightly extreme view, but it is indicative of the the Church was the first institution owned and trend of thinking in the minds of a large group controlled by the members of the Negro race in of young people. Although many would not ex- America. That even during the dark days of press this opinion so strongly, their indifference slavery, it was the one training ground for leadtoward the church, and their lack of interest in ership. Many of the great leaders of the race its activities speak more loudly than mere words. not only received their inspiration, but acquired their training from some backwoods church. Why is this attitude held by many young Negroes, more or less closely associated with the The Christian Church has also inspired many church? who have made their mark and rendered valuable service in other fields, particularly music. Many First: In far too many cases the minister of of the great Negro musicians received their intheir church has had no more, and oftentimes has spiration and start from some church group had less education than many of his young people. which believed in them and gave them an oppor- The results are obvious; his ideas are often in tunity to exercise their latent abilities. conflict with those taught in the public schools. There are other contributions that the Church Since this institution has better-trained teachers, can and must make to the lives of young people and since more time is given to secular than to today. religious education, the minister usually comes First: The Church as an institution can give out second best. a meaningful interpretation to life. Young peo- Second: The work and program of the major- pIe are living in a world of cynicism and despair; ity of churches are planned for the benefit of the a world in which, as one cynic expressed it, "life adult members of the congregation, with little is just a contest between jackals and jackasses; thought given to the needs of young people. The a world which says that life is only a period besermons are usually prepared for those who want tween creation and annihilation; a world which an assurance of comfort, if not here, then in a functions on the creed that the purpose of life is place beyond the skies. The week-day activities the acquisition of as much earthly possessions as are often archaic, and too frequently are largely possible in as short a time as possible, regardless for the purpose of raising money. The old emo- of the methods. tional forms of religion have little appeal for most young people today. Words and phrases which In such a world the Church must offer a differthrilled their fathers and forefathers strike no ent interpretation of life. It must say that responsive chord in the hearts of their children. abundant living comes from God and is achieved by losing oneself in the service of others. The Third: The tasks assigned to young people, in Church must teach that life is a glorious adventhe majority of cases, are not commensurate with ture stretching into eternity, and that the purtheir abilities. In many churches the only re- pose of life is not to get, but to give. Moreover sponsibilities given to young people are passing the Church must insist that men can overcome the collection plates, or ushering dear old saints their difficulties, and that no matter how discourto pews. Youth demands tasks which are deemed aging the present situation may be, truth, .goodimportant, and which offer a creative challenge ness, and righteousness will ultimately triumph. to their abilities. Such a message is certainly needed by young We must help young people who possess these people today. They find themselves in a world points of view to understand that, although there where hatreds of class and nation and race divide is some validity in the position they take, the men; where young people are denied the chance Church has made many contributions to the ad- to prepare for a life work. If they do so prepare [306 ] themselves they too often find themselves in the relationships with others whom they do not see.
long lines of the unemployed, unable to marry, They must be guided beyond the merely tradi- build homes, and rear children, because they have tional missionary emphasis, a,nd must become con- not sufficient economic security. cerned about all with whom they have indirect In the light of all these conditions, the Church relationships. They must become interested in must offer a meaningful interpretation to youth, the physical and spiritual conditions of the work- insisting tha,t difficulties be viewed in their proper ers who cultivate the food they eat, who manu- perspective; there must be a creative challenge facture the clothing they wear, and who contribute of faith, such as that which inspired Abraham of in other ways to their welfare.
old, who "went out not knowing whither he went." Such a task is challenging. Young people are Second: The Church must insist that individ- not lost to the Church. They are viewing the uals are of supreme worth. The world today Church with hopeful as well as critical eyes. A makes human personality the cheapest commodity few who are looking beyond the Negro Church, on the market. It is sacrificed to efficiency, to are rather skeptical of the sincerity of organized profits, to national glory, and to the selfish ambi- Christianity in general, when it tacitly condones racial discrimination and is complacent in the face tions of national leaders. The leaders in Church must seize every oppor- of social injustice. But they are hopeful that the tunity to emphasize the supreme worth of every situation will be improved. They want the Church individual. Capital punishment, mob rule result- to work with them rather than for them. ing in lynchings, labor disturbances,are violations Their optimism and faith will be justified if the of human brotherhood, and such incidents must Church is willing to evaluate its program in the be used, like a lighthouse in the midst of a raging light of the present-day needs of young people; sea, to point out that personality is worth more if it will look forward as well as backward; above than anything else in the world, and that its values all, if it will develop trained leadership adequate must be conserved. In many cases the Church to present-day demands and consecrated to the must look at itself, and clean its own house, mak- tasks of tomorrow. ing sure that all its employees from the minister In an increasing number of churches there are to the janitor are treated in the light of this ideal encouraging signs-young people are hopeful that these will increase. The greatest challenge to the of human brotherhood. Third: The Church must offer young people Church today is the enlistment of its youth in the adequate experiences for group worship. Of Kingdom-building enterprise.
course there are those who insist that they can worship adequately by themselves, and no one In America causes similar to those operating in will deny the value of private devotions, but there Africa have been at work to create discontent and are certain distinctive values to be gained from race feeling-social ostracism of the Negro, polit- worshipping together with kindred spirits. The ical disability, economic exclusion from high approach to God may be had through different grades of work, a whole body of custom and law features of the service-through music or the at- that sets up different standards for the Negro and mosphere of a beautiful edifice, through the ritual for the white.
or through the sermon. If we ask, "What does the American Negro The implications of this are obvious; hymns want?" the answer is quite clear. First, educamust be chosen which are in line with the thought tion. Secondly, equal industrial opportunities; patterns of intelligent Christians, and which in- i. e., "equal opportunity to 'work at just wages and clude not only individual redemption but look under fair conditions." Thirdly, a share in electalso to the redemption of society. Sermons must ing their government. Fourthly, security from draw on the experience of the past and must in- mob violence and prejudiced legal decisions. terpret present-day problems in the light of the Fifthly, and this lies at the root of things, they teaching and spirit of Christ. desire passionately to be freed from the perpetual Fourth: The Church must broaden the outlook ostracism and degradation that labels them as of young people. We now understand that we though they were members of another and a live in a world which has become a neighborhood, lower, almost a sub-human species. It is impor- and yet the outlook of many young people is too tant to appreciate this issue from the Negro narrow. They must become concerned about their point of view. BASIL MATHEWS.
Negroes are Doing for
By REV. L. L. BERRY, D.D., New York Secretary of Missions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church THE Negro in America has been largely on upon it as a Shekinah for guidance in the un- the receiving end of things. Having been known estate which freedom had bequeathed to brought from Africa, in spite of all his re- him. sistance, and having been subject to the will of others for nearly two and a half centuries, he be- The main problem, and at the same time the came accustomed to a system which supplied his central objective, of this leadership of the Church minimum physical needs while his cultural life, was to help the Negro forget the handicaps under social instincts and intellectual desires were ig- which he had suffered, and the legacies left by his nored and even suppressed. Slavery assumed bondage. He must be inspired with hope and faith in the possibility of grasping and exercising that these aspirations were entirely lacking in the his full manhood rights. Agencies had to be es- Negro since it best served the ends of slavery to tablished for his benefit, and to enable him to acconsider him merely as a human chattel. Only quire the knowledge that would fit him into the in religion was a little latitude allowed as a vent social economy of which he was now a legal entity. to his spiritual yearnings. Early in his career as a minister, Richard Out of such a system the Negro emerged with Allen started a school in Philadelphia, and a natural disposition to lean upon others. For- throughout his life, as a bishop of the Church he tunately, however, all his self-reliance and inde- had established, he emphasized education for the pendence of spirit brought over from Africa was Negro as far as public opinion and laws would not killed. A faint spark of manhood still re- permit. Other churches and free blacks followed mained in him and he apprehended, withal dimly, in his footsteps. Frederick Douglass, self-eman- the truth of the philosophy that "God helps those cipated and self-educated, stood out as a shining who help themselves." This expression was in- example of what education could do for the Negro, terpreted in a militant sense by such black heroes and because of the compelling logic and oratory as Nat Turner and those who followed the in- displayed in his long battle for the freedom of trepid John Brown to his doom at Harper's Ferry his race, he became the Negro's ideal and idol, in their bold attempt to abolish slavery. It was manacled though he still was by the shackles of interpreted by others to apply more forcibly to slavery. matters of the mind, soul and spirit; and so we have, during this same blighting slavery period, Thus it came about that, in the battle that lay Richard Allen founding the African Methodist before the Negro in fitting himself for the rOle Episcopal Church, and James Varick establishing of a citizen, and the enjoyment of his status as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in a free man, the Church brought up its battery of response to the unquenchable yearnings of the schools in its first attack upon the handicaps of ignorance that barricaded his progress. When Negro for untrammelled religious and cultural schools were first opened to Negroes an almost expression. 100% illiteracy might be said to have prevailed.
Even though these Negro religious denomina- That has now been reduced to 16.3 %, while in tions were severely restricted by rigid laws which made it a crime for Negroes even to preach to the top bracket of the principal professions of Negroes in some sections, to say nothing of teach- clergymen, college presidents and professors, dening Negroes, by the time slavery was abolished tists, doctors, trained nurses, musicians and music the organized Negro Church had become a real teachers, school-teachers, judges and lawyers, we lifeline to him in his helpless situation.. Having find 104,755 standing out to indicate what the become his source of greatest hope and inspira- Negro has achieved for himself. In the thick of tion during slavery, the Negro looked upon the this battle, the Negro Church was encouraged Church as providing the broad avenue for the at- and aided by the noble sacrifices and contributions tainment of his suppressed aspirations when he of white denominations and organizations of the finally escaped from his thralldom. So the Negro North in conducting schools for the freedmen of the South.
spontaneously rallied to the Church and looked In the early years following emancipation the [308 ] Negro newspaper was a rarity, so the Negro of something like 130,000. This Negro group minister used his pulpit as a broadcasting station supports entirely out of its own pocketbook a day and constantly kept before the eyes of his people nursery, a hospital staffed by Negro doctors who the outstanding accomplishments of the race give free clinics, an old folks' home and a recregroup. Negro orators and lecturers were given ation beach. This might be styled as non-statistithe keys to the pUlpit. Budding Negro businesses, cal work being done for Negroes by Negroes very many of which had their birth within the which every community conducts without any church, were advertised freely and often from the relation necessarily to any other community. pulpit. Negro doctors, dentists, lawyers and other pioneer professional men had liberal access Present-day social service setups generally have to the pulpit as a springboard from which to a very coherent and, in many cases, dependent launch themselves into the stream of gainful oc- relationship to every such unit wherever estabcupation. Fitness to serve the race in matters lished. This is true of such organizations as the that had only been performed by the white race, Y. M. C. A., the Urban League, Boy Scouts, Girls' was vouched for by the pulpit, which fact at once Guides and numerous others. These are governed established that confidence in the ability of these and directed mainly by centralized authority, and professionals so necessary to success. for this reason more or less reliable statistics re- garding their operations, are obtainable. If these The church was the Negro's social club. It was independent efforts of the Negroes for the wellhis nursery for business ventures, and the center being of Negroes could be tabulated, undoubtedly of his cultural hopes. It was a sort of trellis upon the results as to the work involved and the amount which he trained his budding enterprises and of money spent in its maintenance would be stagexercised his powers of organization. All of his gering. activities and endeavors clustered around this institution of the church, and from it radiated his Much that the Negro is doing for the Negro paths of adventure into the numerous fields of does not stand out and capture the attention for industry and labor in which we now find him en- another reason. Today he is doing a tremendous gaged. Thus we find that most of the successful amount of social good in cooperation with whites, organizations run by Negroes today still have a rendering contributions which implement in a very definite and important relationship to the large way the agencies which have been estabchurch, particularly insurance companies and fra- lished for Negroes by white philanthrophy. This ternal orders. is true mainly in connection with schools of higher learning established by northern churches and Starting with the church as a point of impulse, philanthrophy, and, in a lesser degree, with instiand with its sponsoring influence ever acting as tutions like the Y. M. C. A. In a very real sense, a spur to higher endeavors, the Negro has ad- the Negro provides most of the resources for the vanced in a fan-shaped formation of self-help and continuance of such work, and in estimating what conquest that has amazed the world. he is doing for himself, a sizeable percentage of the budgets of such institutions should be credited Negro Work in America to the Negro. • What the Negro is doing for Negroes in Amer- In the realm of business, note should be taken ica may be somewhat difficult to reduce to sta- of the National Negro Business League, founded tistics that would accurately tell the whole story. by the late Booker T. Washington. This league, Like streams which run along the surface for a started as a booster movement for stepping up the distance and then disappear under ground to be business adventures of the Negro, is still exerting lost to sight though still supplying moisture to a powerful influence on Negro enterprise that is vegetation, so much of the noble and self-sacri- undoubtedly reflected in the large and increasing ficing work of Negroes, supported entirely by number of retail businesses conducted today by themselves, is unseen by the compiler of statistics. the Negro. The movement known as Negro I here refer to such institutions as old folks' Health Week, now under the functions of the homes, day nurseries, burial societies, homes for U. S. Department of Health and nationally obwayward boys and girls and kindred institutions. served each year, was originated by the National In most instances these institutions are sponsored Negro Business League. directly by churches, or have some tangible relation to them. In the field of political and social betterment there are many organizations of Negroes, but An illustration of this might be found in any none has exerted greater pressure for the recogcity where there is a considerable Negro popula- nition of the basic rights of the Negro as a citizen tion. For example, let us survey briefly the city under the Constitution than the National Assoof Norfolk, Virginia, which has a Negro contin- ciation for the Advancement of Colored People. gent of approximately 45,000 in a total population This association has branches in practically every
large city in the United States, and is ever alert for its maintenance which this body is making. in the championship of the just interests of the It may be seen from the above outline of Negro Negro and in defense of his common rights. The birth of such movements as the Urban League and achievement and activity that he very early recoginterracial societies may be directly traced to the nized his responsibility for working out his own program of equal justice in our social economy salvation, and that he has exerted himself in a which has been the keystone purpose of the very tangible way to bring this about. He is NAACP, which is supported almost entirely by grateful and appreciative of the large coopera- Negroes. tion and inestimable help he has received from the white group, but he is sensible of the fact that While statistics do not give the whole story of more and more he is expected to and must assume what Negroes are doing for Negroes, what the the burden of doing things for himself. His· ef- Negro has accomplished in his own right, and forts are tending in that direction with greater owns and controls as a race group, should be elo- momentum. As has been true in matters of reliquent testimony of what he is doing. This is re- gion, fraternal societies and burial associations, vealed in the figures gathered by the painstaking the Negro is becoming organization-minded in all agents of the United States Government and matters affecting his well-being. which are embodied in its census of the Negro for 1930. (See pages 279 to 291.) In religion, he is becoming fraternal to the end that greater good may be accomplished by coop- American Negroes in Africa eration; in business, he is forming groups for the benefits that may come from the emphasis on Some of the "followers of Richard Allen" were common interests; in politics, he is dividing his among the first settlers of the Republic of Liberia vote that he may derive the largest considerations when a census was taken of its population in the from our system of government; in the educafirst year of the founding of the colony. Ever tional and social field, he is keeping elbow contact since the year 1822 the African Methodist Epis- with the professionally trained men and women copal Church has been interested in the redemp- of his race through fraternities, sororities, medtion and advancement of Africa, setting an ex- ical associations, teachers' associations and kinample which other Negro bodies have followed. dred organizations, that he might promote the general welfare of his submerged group in this Negro churches spend annually something like welter of American society. These efforts, sep- $6,152,905 for missions, approximately $2,500,000 arately, may not be registered accurately on the of this being spent for missionary endeavors in graph of human statistics, but collectively they foreign lands, especially Africa. The major Negro loom large in so far as they are related to the denominations supporting missionary work in depths from which the Negro has risen and his Africa are the African Methodist Episcopal hopes and possibilities of greater achievement. Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion, the National Baptist Convention, Inc., and the It is a long way from Jamestown, Virginia, in Lott Carey Baptist Convention. 1619, where the Negro began to learn his first les- sons in the school of hardships, to the present The African Methodist Episcopal Church con- time. In his early beginning in America he lived ducts several educational institutions in Africa. and served on the banks of the historic James In Sierra Leone there is the Girls' Industrial and River, to see and be influenced in many respects Literary School, and a school for boys; in Liberia by the Indians who were the aborigines of that is Monrovia College and Training School, the section. But instead of taking on their habits of main building of which was erected at a cost of merely hunting and fishing, he listened to the $70,000, while in South Africa there is Bethel In- music of the rushing waters to which his soul restitute at Cape Town, and Wilberforce Institute sponded in agonized memory of the Africa from at Evaton, Transvaal. which he had been snatched and passed down to his sons and daughters the Spirituals as one of The A. M. E. Zion Church has activities in Ni· the most glorious contributions of rhythm and geria and the Gold Coast in Africa, but has em- symphony which have enriched the world. phasized its work at Mount Coffee, in Liberia, where a commendable school has been established From these songs such institutions as Hampton, for religious and industrial education. Tuskegee_and Fisk have benefited in this contri- bution from the Negro to the Negro. But the The National Baptist Convention, Inc., has work Negro did 'not merely sing, "You May Have All in South Africa and several units in Liberia. Its outstanding achievement here is a well-staffed the World Just Give Me Jesus," he demonstrated hospital of about 60 beds. Although the Govern- his ability and faith to hold on to Jesus Christ as ment of Liberia has a hospital in Monrovia, this his Saviour and Lord, and to acquire some of this hospital established by the Baptist denomination world's blessings which he has passed on to his is rendering a recognized service that is worthy kindred. of note, and amply justifies the expenditure
in Work With
By REV. FREDERICK L. BROWNLEE, New York Executive Secretary of the American Missionary Association THERE is much that is fundamentally sound panionship, but it's worth all it costs." Evidently and reliable in lessons learned from experi- that is what Tagore means by "sacrifice" and the ence. Volumes could be written on the er- "spiritual plane." rors of working for people versus working with them. It is a strange paradox that the religion In one's approaches to a genuine fellowship he of Jesus Christ, who knew so well how to live and discovers certain basic facts as to thorough-going work with people of all "races, nations and interracialism. The chief of these is the fact of classes," became in time-'- particularly through how far human likenesses transcend racial differthe missionary enterprise-a work of one group ences. In an address at Talladega College a few for another group. What futile and stupid at- years ago Professor Kilpatrick said, "According tempts have been made by some Christians to im- to every available scientific authority the extent pose their religion "on the heathen"! The best of such differences (differences of innate ability that one can hope to do is to impart his Christian among races) is, at most, if any, small in comknowledge and faith. And even here one ought parison with the spread of difference within either to be willing to be a perfectly good sport accord- group compared. Not a few of the best authoriing to the Golden Rule, taking as well as giving. ties deny that such difference of innate ability has ever been shown or probably exists." A Student Volunteer once wrote Rabindranath Tagore concerning his going to India as a Chris- One learns that lesson from experience in work tian missionary. Tagore wrote back, with Negroes. When the sense of race conscious- ness is lost in a struggle for common values, be Do not be always trying to preach your doctrine, but give they a square deal in economic and social relations yourself in love. . . . Preaching your doctrine is no sacri- or a more complete understanding of truth or a fice at all-it is indulging in luxury, far more dangerous richer appreciation of beauty, then one knows bethan all the luxuries of material living. It breeds an yond a shadow of a doubt how much alike are all illusion in your mind that you are wiser and better than members of the human family. Such fellowship your fellow-beings. is deeper and finer and richer than the usual blood ties of family relationships. One may have such If you have in you pride of race, pride of sect and pride fellowship with blood relatives. But one may not of personal superiority strong, then it is no use to try to only have such fellowship outside the bonds of do good to others. . . . On the spiritual p:ane you cannot blood ties but one more frequently has it outside do good until you be good. than inside such ties. The same is true outside of versus inside of racial ties. You have repeatedly said that your standard of living is not likely to be different from that of the "natives"- Another destroyer of Nordic egotism is the rev- but one thing I ask, will you be able to make yourself elation that comes through experience that it is one with those whom you call "natives," not merely in not the ambition of every Negro to become white. habits but in love? How generally the white man has presumed to the There we have the preeminent lesson that one learns from experience in working with Negroes.
Fundamental to all constructive human relations contrary! He has been sure that the height of is the question of mutual respect and confidence. ambition of every Negro is to marry a white per- It is a universal fact. How well I remember my son. There are reasons why Negroes might wish first visit to Puerto Rico and the beginning of to change the color of their skin. Society being friendships with its gracious citizens. He was set up as it is, one can gain so much and get away indeed my friend who said to me, "The poorest with so much with a white skin. Two Negroes peon has his center of dignity. If you wound that were overheard discussing white people. One of you are done for." Respect for the center of dig- them said, "White people have everything."
nity becomes the open sesame to fellowship in "Yes," said the other, "white people have every- Puerto Rico's delightful "Society of the Simpa- thing but the grace of God, and some of them ticos." have even got that."
A friend wrote recently, "It is a long road to Outside of the material advantages of being that inner niche of mutual fellowship and com- white, in a world largely dominated by the white [311 ]
race, I know personally no Negroes who are capable individuals of his race. The reverse is ashamed of the color of their skin or would ex- true for the Negro. It is common for him to have change it for white skin if they could. Why ascribed to him all the vices and inabilities of the should one feel any more pride or shame in the worst and most incapable members of his race.
color of his skin than he does in the color of his In other words, the Negro suffers from "mass hair or his eyes? Dark little cherubs are just as condemnation versus individual appraisal," as dear as white ones and vice versa. Why not? . discriminating Negroes frequently put it.
"Some prefer blondes, others brunettes, others Experience in work with Negroes proves the chocolate browns and still others the darker contrary. It is here that one finds the most sig- hues." This is the way one comes to feel about it nificant evidence of Professor Kilpatrick's state- after years of working with rather than for ment that racial differences, so far as innate abil- Negroes. ities are concerned, have never been scientifically One more lesson from the school of experience. proved. Asa matter of fact, experience proves I do not know who the white man was who coined that color or the lack of it is no guarantee of the expression, "All Negroes look alike." I do brains. Original contributions have been made to know that such a statement is as untrue as it is all arts, sciences, religious beliefs and philosophies superficial. It has led to one of the greatest diffi- by men and women of all races. Said an Eskimo culties with which the Negro has to contend.. It to the famous arctic adventurer, Peter Freuchen, is common for a white man to have ascribed to "If a man is born white he may still be born him the virtues and abilities of the best and most stupid."
Other Lessons from Experience By JOHN UTILE, Louisville, Kentucky Superintendent of the Presbyterian Colored Missions For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is perience as preachers, but they believed that "the the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, Gospel is the power of God unto salvation." to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1: 16. Thirty-eight years have passed and on the first THESE words were in the minds of six the- Sunday afternoon in February, 1936, the writer ological students when they walked out of the saw a thousand Colored people in that Sunday Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Ken- school and heard them pour out their hearts in tucky, on Sunday afternoon, February 4, 1898, to songs of praise to their heavenly Father. Directstart a Sunday school for Colored children. Plans ing the music was a young woman who had grown had been discussed for several months and they up as one of the pupils, had gone to Fisk Uniwere now ready to put the Gospel to a test. They versity and taken special training in music, is had consulted with a number of Christian friends now teaching in the Municipal University in in the city, and upon the recommendation of a Louisville. Sitting at the piano was another group of Colored and white ministers, they had young woman who had grown up in the Sunday rented a little store room on Preston Street. It school. It was a marvelous experience for those was in a tenement district, surrounded by saloons, present to hear this chorus of a thousand voices gambling dens and houses of prostitution. They swell out with the words: had gone through this neighborhood, visiting in the homes of the people and leaving cards an- Oh, walk togedder, children, don't you get weary; nouncing the opening of the Sunday school. Dere's a great camp meetin' in de promised land!
Only twenty-three Colored children were pres- Oh, a feel de spirit a-movin', gwine to live with God forent on the first day and it seemed indeed a small ever; beginning. The writer was surprised to find that not one member of his class had any knowledge Dere's a great camp meetin' in de promised land! of the Bible or any acquaintance with the life of Jesus Christ. The students accepted their task It was one of their Jubilee songs, composed by a and conducted an ordinary Sunday school with company- of slaves who gathered and sang and preaching services on Wednesday and Sunday shouted for joy and gave God honor and praise. nights, each student taking his regular turn in preaching. They had little training and no ex- The first equipment in this little tumble-down storehouse on Preston Street was pathetic in its simplicity. A worn out organ donated by a friend was the only musical instrument, and a table and a few chairs were the physical equipment. The
OTHER LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE
HOPE NURSERY SCHOOL FOR COLORED CHILDREN THE .BEGINNERS' DEPARTMElNT IN GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK IN THE CARPENTElR SHOP FOR BOYS COOKING CLASS FOR WOMEN AND OLDEIR GIRLS
house had formerly served as a lottery office for Space forbids going into detail about the nu- the community, but the Gospel, taught in its pur- merous activities that have found a place in our ity, simplicity and power, began to shed abroad weekly schedule. Twenty-two different types of its influence in the community. Among the pupils work are now carried on and there are sixty dif- were some who welcomed with joy the teachers ferent clubs and classes and services, all of which and the message and they became faithful attend~ are operated in the two institutional churches ants on the services. The building soon was which have developed. out of one small Sunday crowded; the workers ceased their efforts to school started thirty-eight years ago.
enroll new pupils and devoted themselves to the Recently, I sat in the home of a woman and instruction of those under their care. The lame, the halt and the blind came in and every conceiv- asked her questions about the value of our instiable problem of human need presented itself and tutions to the community. She said: received careful and sympathetic consideration. "Yours was the first Sunday school that I ever attended. I came on Wednesday night and lis- As the years have passed, volunteer teachers tened to the prayer meeting and I became inter- have gradually been added to our teaching staff, ested in the Bible. I could ask questions and the until today there are more than two hundred peo- prayer meeting service was the one that did me ple, representing many religious denominations, the most good."
having their share in the operation of the two I thought of the history of that family. The Missions which have been maintained-the first father was a drinking man and they were very since February 4, 1898, and the second since April poor. There were four children who all slept 2,1899. crossways in one bed. The mother made a living The founders of this work had no theory for the by taking in washing yet always kept her chilsolution of the "Negro problem," but they believed dren clean and neat and insisted on their going to the Gospel message was intended for the Colored school regularly in spite of their poverty. The race and many Christian men and women organ- older brother died with tuberculosis, but we seized classes for Negroes, to meet during the week. cured a doctor and a tuberculosis nurse and the disease was arrested before it spread to the rest A.note from two Colored girls contained the re- of the family. The three girls graduated from quest: "Will you please start a sewing school for high school, secured positions as domestic servthe little ragged children on Pearl Street." Two ants, saved their money and bought a home, put- Christian women started such a class on the fol- ting the deed in their mother's name. The oldest lowing Saturday morning. It was a small begin- girl said she would like me to see the home. When ning and a work of faith but now there are more I replied: "The important thing is to have it a than five hundred women and girls who come in Christian home," she said: "We read the Bible during the week to receive instructions in sew- every morning." Before the mother died, I had ing. The reflex influence of such work shows in the privilege of receiving this mother into the every service and class held in our buildings. church and her daughters, now grown women, at- Girls and women who come to Sunday school and tend Sunday school where their children have alchurch wear the dresses they have made. The ways been Honor Roll pupils. sewing classes meet an economic need of the people, for mothers can make their household linen This family is a concrete example of the power and their children's garments. Last week, in the of the Gospel. The original home was located in dressmaking class I saw a mother who had one of the worst slum districts in our city. There were four saloons on the four corners of the block brought her old cloak, had taken it to pieces and and every day the children were subjected to every was remaking it on a smaller pattern for her form of temptation. They entered Sunday school, daughter, with the assistance of a competent believed the truth they were taught and it gave Christian. them inspiration and courage to become decent, One of the best housekeepers in Louisville real- industrious citizens and an economic success in life. They were regular attendants in the Sunized the value of wholesome food in the homes, day school, the sewing and cooking schools, the and invited a group of Colored girls to meet her Boys' and Girls' Clubs and the playground, and one day during the week and gave them instruc- accepted and used every opportunity that was extion in the preparation of foo~l. She furnished tended to them by a Christian institution. . them recipes that would enable them to vary their menus and prepare food in a more wholesome and appetizing fashion. Again we had entered a field One other concrete example: a small boy came of Christian labor that was not included in our into the primary class and from the very first original plan and yet we found a wide field of op- proved himself a regular attendant. His name portunity for practical Christian service by intel- and his sister's name headed the Honor Roll until ligent and consecrated women. he graduated from high school. He then entered
NEGRO YOUTH CHALLENGES WHITE YOUTH
Fiske University in Nashville, Tennessee, and intended to go to Hampton Institute. He saved while there in their music courses he developed a his money, attended Hampton Institute and rewonderful tenor voice. They selected him as a ceived a certificate from them as a carpenter. He member of a quartet and sent him out to sing for now lives in Philadelphia, is married, owns his the school. With the quartet, he spent fourteen own home and recently brought his family down months in Europe, visiting fourteen foreign countries and appearing before the royalty of Europe. in his automobile to visit his parents in Louis- One day I was standing on the platform and no- ville. I invited him to speak to the Sunday school, ticed him enter the building and I invited him to and in a slow, drawling voice he told his simple sing for the Sunday school. He readily consented story, closing with the words, "I now have my and the audience was thrilled with his music. He own home and have family prayers every mornselected, "Open the Gates of the Temple," and as he sang the closing words, "I know that my Re- ing." He has gone to live in a distant city but he deemer liveth," I realized what he was doing. He still comes back to give his testimony to the had been away from us for ten years and had power of the Gospel as he learned it in our Suntraveled all over the world, but when he came back and again stood on the platform of the Sun- day school.* day school in which he had grown up, he brought them the message, "I know that my Redeemer * A joint committee of Presbyterian laymen and ministers, ap- liveth." pointed by the four branches of the Presbyterian and Reformed I remember a small boy who, many years ago, Churches of Louisville, form a governing board of the Presbyterian Colored Missions. This committee Is Incorporated and owns two was a regular attendant in the Sunday school. pieces of property-a modern institutional church building which When we gave the invitation to come forward, he has a recreation hall, bath house, rooms for sewing, cooking and united with the church. He heard me give a various social activities. Two regular churches, with ordained minstereopticon lecture in which I told the story of isters and their Boards of Elders and Deacons, direct the church Booker Washington and how, as a young boy, he worship. determined to get an education and I said, "Any boy in this room can do what he did." At the This work, which was started in a very smalI way, has grown to close of the lecture, he came forward and said he a point where there are 2.000 different people coming to the two buildings. There are seven religious services on Sunday, including a Sunday school. regular preaching services and four groups of youn!>; people who gather in the evening for their own worship service.
A blind woman, when asked to describe the missions, said: "They are lighthouses in the community."
There are 200 white people who give their services voluntarily in the Sunday school, the sewing classes, and in the supervision of other groups which meet In the building.
Operated by "The Committee on Colored Evangelization of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Louisville, Incorporated."
Correspondence is invited with the Superintendent. The missions are always open to any viSitor, stranger or friend who desires to inspect the work.
Negro Youth Challenges White Youth* I -4Ef/ By J. S. LEDBETTER, Traveling Salesman 1Ji.- I ~==========================~ [EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article comes from a traveling section of North Carolina, in an eloquent and imsalesman of the Buick Motor Car Co., who mails it "en route from passioned plea, challenged the 1,600 or more stu- Berea," with the statement that "as a traveling salesman and ob- dents of Berea College in an address entitled, server" he had chanced to drop In. uninvited, on the chlpel service "What the Negro Youth Expects of the White of Berea College, because he heard that a Negro woman for the youth in Their Tomorrow." first time was to speak there. The article Is a copy of the notes he took, with incident Impressions and convictions.] This Negro woman was the first woman of her group to bring a message to these students. Pres- I N THE chapel at Berea College, on December ident William J. Hutchins, who by way of intro- 14, was enacted a scene which promises a duction in the weeks that preceded the visit, had change in the attitudes and thinking of thou- given a partial history of her achievements in sands of white youth, not only from the hills and education and interracial goodwill. Now he prevalleys of Kentucky, but from the ten or more sented Dr. Brown as one of the outstanding other Southern states represented by the students. women of America.
In a scholarly and dignified manner, with a cul- As an onlooker and listener it was pleasing to tivated voice and gestures of unusual significance, contrast the gentle welcoming applause with the a little black woman, who has won the title of Doc- thunderous ovation which followed her last words, torate from one of the outstanding universities of "Will you meet us half way?" her people, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, protegee of Alice Freeman Palmer, founder and promoter of After expressing her delight in the opportunity an unique school for her people in the Piedmont • From Advance, Boston. January 31, 1935.
to be at Berea, of which she had heard much dur- ington for the porter and had asked "George" to ing her New England childhood, in that delightful carry his baggage, and Dr. Washington carried it, brogue flavored by a little of the North Carolina and on refusing to accept a tip revealed his iden- musical twang, she proceeded thus: tity, to the man's shame and confused apology.
"There is no gift within the range of the Amer- The speaker said that race prejudice is neither ican people that cannot be yours as American inherited nor inborn; it has to be taught or cul- white boys and girls. The industries, the institu- tivated; Negro women have the hardest time, be- tions, the wealth, and the government are already cause white people generally feel that they can bequeathed to you. Tomorrow the reins will be easily be prostituted.
put into your hands. From the position of Presi- Dr. Brown emphatically stated that the Negro dent, Senator, and Congressman, to the smaller does not want to be white, that he is not seeking but ever more important offices of county sheriff intermarriage. "Marriage," she said, "is compli- and city councilman, you will have the adminis- cated enough as it is, without adding the extra tering of the affairs of the American nation. The burden of racial mixture. Furthermore, Negro youth of my race, a minority group tied to you, in men and women need not go out of the race for spite of whatever may be said, by 250 years of white skin, because slavery produced a sufficient the unrequited toil of their forbears, are wonder- supply of mulattoes for their children, and their ing if, in your effort to achieve a greater civiliza- children's children, if they want light-colored tion, you will ride roughshod over them, or if in mates. Negroes want a chance for self-expres- Christian institutions like this, built around a re- sion, fair play, and equal opportunities for pro- ligion intelligently conceived and passionately be- tection and advancement."
lieved, you will develop that sense of fairness and The last ten minutes of the address was a rapid justice, that expression of neighborly-mindedness review of the founding of the Palmer Memorial that will include them in your plan and program Institute at Sedalia, N. C., the financial and racial for the development of a finer and better America struggle under which it had been developed from in which to live." a church for a schoolhouse, a log cabin as a dormi- The students' eyes were fastened on the speaker tory, to its half-million-dollar plant, its significant and for full forty minutes she held both teachers and interesting interracial program, and its sucand students to an almost uncanny silence in her cessful endeavor to enlist the interest of its white appeal for justice for her people. neighbors.
What Negroes Want The recital brought vividly before the group the fact that, notwithstanding her achievements, Dr. The main points emphasized in these expecta- Charlotte Hawkins Brown must still suffer the tions were a guarantee of full protection of the indignities and prejudices heaped upon the illiterlaw under any and all circumstances. Dr. Brown ate and undisciplined members of her race. Edusuggested that they exhibited weakness when they cation and culture make little difference. substituted mob law for the civil law which they themselves instituted. She also asked for the for· There stood this Negro woman, an example of lowing things: what a Negro may achieve in culture and educa- tion, her own best appeal and challenge to the 1. An opportunity for Negro youth in any and white youth of America for fair play and justice all vocations for which they show an aptitude. to her people. When in her closing sentence she 2. Equal educational opportunities. said, "I promise God to teach my youth to strive 3. A proper evaluation of human personality· to establish understanding, sympathy, and interunderneath black skin. (She stated that failure racial goodwill," with a voice quivering with deep in this brought about lynching and flagrant in- emotion, she flung out the challenge to the youth justice to people they regarded as not fully created of Berea, "Will you meet us half way?" Tears human beings.) filled the eyes of old and young, and the burst of 4. The abolition of purely Negro jobs and an sustained applause that shook the building was an open door to earn a living, with equal wages for indication that this woman, a credit to her race equal work. and to American womanhood, had struck a deep 5. The same respect for members of the Negro chord in the hearts of white youths of the South, race that white people feel entitled to from the to whom Berea College itself is a challenge. .
Negro race. The day ended with a conference of the com- She gave striking illustrations of how lack of bined faculty of 150 or more members, who, after ordinary courtesy to human beings because their poignant and searching questions, voted that day faces are black causes the looking upon color as as one of the red-letter days of the year, and many the badge of a servant always. She told the story were heard to say that a great forward step in of how a traveler had once taken Booker T. Wash- race relations had been taken. –
Ways of
Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~~I=I ========================~~========~~====~~~~ FRESH MATERIAL FOR The Women's Home Mission- "Mather, a Continued Story" (free) ary Society of the Methodist telling of the work at the school es- PROGRAM BUILDERS Episcopal Church, 420 Plum St., tablished in 1867 by Rachel Crane Cincinnati, Ohio, has an excel- Mather at Beaufort, S. Carolina, is At the opening of summer, lent four-cent leaflet on "Ne- already available, and a play dealing with the appearance of the new groes in the Economic Struc- with the same school, and written by study themes and the added ture," by Will W. Alexander, Mrs. Augusta Comstock, will soon be leisure for program making, we Executive Director of the Com- ready. (A small charge is made for present an assortment of plans mission on Interracial Coopera- plays.) "Baptist Missionary Piowhich have already proved their tion. The chairman of the For- neers among Negroes" (cloth, 60 value in practical use. The ward-Looking Committee of the cents; paper, 35 cents) and "A flood of year books and pro- Society attended a student con- Heroine of the Cross" (cloth, 75 grams which have come to hand ference "Appreciation Hour" at cents; paper, 50 cents) by Grace M. attest the widespread use to which a Negro student from a Eaton, and "Race Grit" by Coe Hayne which they have been adapted. large college read selections (price, 65 cents) are now available If your denomination does not from a variety of poems by for the year's study. The Woman's seem to be receiving its meed of Negro writers; this led to nam- Baptist Home Mission Society has attention, it is because the mem- ing the M. E. women's forth- also an annual pamphlet entitled bers are not letting their light coming studies "Appreciation "From Ocean to Ocean" which gives shine! Year." This material, inclusive concrete reports of all their work in- of a masque on the plan of clusive of that among Negroes (price, We regret that plans and sup- "Every Woman" and dealing 30 cents). Order all free material plementary material for pre- with My Child, Every Child, from The Council on Finance and senting the new study themes etc., also an "achievement pos- Promotion, 152 Madison Ave., New are not ready for use in the va- ter," will be reviewed later. The York City, and pay literature from rious denominations until the special course in leadership The American Baptist Publication summer conference, hence it is training on "Christian Brother- Society, 1701 Chestnut St., Philadelimpossible to secure this ma- hood" is not a study of the Negro phia, Pa. terial in time for our J une issu~. but of all groups in race rela- They will appear at the earliest tions. "It will be as useful for "The Finding Out Box" gives possible date thereafter. The our Negro constituency as for six object lessons for boys and following are the only advance the white folks, because some girls, by Katherine Scherer data your Editor has been able Negroes are the victims of race Cronk, and is an excellent leaflet to secure in response to her prejudice in their own hearts. on Negroes, for children's somany inquiries: They have plenty of cause for cieties or Sunday school classes. it, but it is injuring them defi- Order from The Women's Mis- The Presbyterian Board of nitely as it is the white man who sionary Society, United Lu- National Missions, 156 Fifth is ill from the same attitude to- theran Church, 1228 Spruce St., Ave., New York City, has a set ward the Negroes or other Philadelphia, Pa. of 10 enlarged pictures entitled groups." "Sepia Tones" (16 by 2'0 inches) Pending our later presentawhich rent at 25 cents plus post- (Quoted fram letter from Mrs. J. N. tion of the new study plans, the age both ways. These fit the Rodeheaver, of the M. E. Woman's Board.) following program suggestions theme, "The American Negro." will be widely acceptable: A ten-cent play which is a gen- Miss May Huston, of the Baperal racial study (tentativelyen- tist Board of Missionary Educa- Foundation Work titled "Under the Skin"), two tion, gives the following items: sets of stereopticon pictures and A friend in the Reformed two motion picture reels on the We expect to have programs and Church sends a leaflet by Flor- Negro (one in color, for chil- discussion Questions prepared on "A ence Gordon, a worker in Grove dren) are in preparation for Preface to Racial Understanding" and Reformed Church at North general use. A set of programs to use them with a series of leaflets Bergen, N. J., from which we and a Negro map, while pointed prepared by the Home Boards on cull the following basic suggesspecifically to the Presbyterian their work among the Negroes. The tions: work, may also be suggestive. leaflets are free in packets made up for those using the study book. A missionary program does not "grow," like Topsy. It is born of [317 ] prayer and study and determination, and brought up in patient, persistent planning. A good meeting begins long in advance of the day and hour set, and ends-never. Some part of
it stays with someone forever in per- have Martha hands but let us pray to Another feature suggested by manent enlargement of heart and keep our Mary minds. spring is the Butterfly Luncheon as view. God gives such a meeting in- used. with variations, along the lines crease. . . . We must "sell" our We can give the support of this of one sent in by a Washington, D. C., speaker (or other feature) by good thorough preparation, this atmos- correspondent. It was the culminapublicity in order to secure a wide and phere-creation, this careful execution, tion of a campaign begun the previous responsive audience. Part of the to our home-ta.ent speaker as well as autumn to secure new members for preparation will be in creating the our board or missionary visitor. A the woman's organization. Each right atmosphere. The physical as- lot of work – all this preparation? member had been given privately the pects are important. Need we have But it is the Way of the Lord which name of a non-member whom she was our chairs in straight, school-like we prepare. to cultivate in a variety of underrows? A semicircular or circular ar- cover ways-with invitations to the rangement is more intimate and sug- To the above, the Editor would add meetings, holiday and birthday greetgests hands – around – the – world. A the desirability of "time-budgeting" ings, etc., in each case signing herself smooth-running meeting may be much speakers and performers. Most ail- merely "Your Butterfly Friend." The advanced by having the complete ing missionary meetings are maimed spring luncheon was the time of revorder typed or mimeographed in ad- by being held over-long. On ordinary elation; for then "The Birth of the vance, supplying each guest with a occasions, one hour is enough-all that Butterflies" was announced to occur copy as she enters. can be commanded in the complexity at a gathering where all the couples and difficulty under modern conditions paired off openly. The luncheon tables Then supply color. Devotional of "living on 24 hours a day." The were beautifully dec 0 rat e d with service, incidental music, background plan of turning a flashlight quietly spring flowers, artificial butterflies, may all be correlated. If Negro work on a program participant (after pre- napkins bearing the same winged is the topic or race relations in the vious notice) which she has, herself, symbols, etc., and at each place was a U. S., our best voices will be delighted used for severa! years past does not boutonniere of gay posies. The toasts to prepare a group of spirituals or give offense if in general use, and it cleverly carried out the butterfly we may all sing one of the familiar does ensure the return of an audience motif: "The Cocoon of Life," "The ones. The "lonesome tunes" and bal- for another meeting without fear of Chrysalis," "Wings," etc. lads of our southern mountains give being detained unduly. One hour is the spirit of the people. American enough, and will do more good than Flag Day or any other national Indian melodies are not hard to come twice the time with a restless and im- holiday may be capita:ized for misby. At one Japanese meeting a lul- patient audience. sions in some such way as this one relaby was sung in the original after it ported by the Program Secretary of had been read in translation, and all Capitalizing Occasions Missions: Mrs. J. T. Crawford, of stood during the singing of the na- Topeka, Kansas, arranged an intertional anthem of Japan, with the flags This gives added receptivity esting program on Missions Magazine. of Japan and our country in one Jap- for the subject matter. For in- Cut seven long strips of red paper anese holder, the Christian flag the stance, May parties and brides and six of white. On the back of each uniting link between them. . . . A just naturally fit into the pres- paste a message from the current iswealth of illustrative, atmosphere- ent season. Mrs. B. P. Heubner sue of the Magazine and fasten the creating material is available – pic- sends a lovely program folder as strip to a firm background. For the tures in magazines and newspapers used at a spring World-Wide blue field (placed in one corner) give and paper-clipped to pasteboards, Guild banquet in the First Bap- "loyalty" items, also from Missions. supplying an art gallery suggesting tist church in Galesburg, 111., To complete the flag, have a roll call the land under discussion and often with explanations as follows: of 48 missionaries. As each name is providing a point of departure for the called, a member places a star in the speaker. (NatilJ'lWl Geographic Mag- The flower-basket idea was used, b'ue field. In closing sing "The Star azines, Sunday school supply catalogs, each talk presenting some Guild qual- Spangled Banner" or "America," fol- ity or purpose under the figure of a lowed by the bugle call, "taps." Misetc., are mentioned as affording fas- flower-"Mistress Mary," cornflower, sionary leaflets rolled in red paper cinating maps, posters, pictures of violet, lily of the valley, lilacs and make fine "firecrackers" to be used as persons and villages, and the like. roses, iris, fruit blossoms, morning souvenirs for a July meeting. "Fresh Some junior group in the church glory, flowering currant, ivy, jack-in- Chinese rolls" (or any other variety, might get these features ready for the-pu:pit and white rose. The per- according to the country studied) are use.) We have Mexican-drawn work, sons impersonating the flowers talked further suggested by Mrs. Crawford Indian pottery, southern qui Its, under the figures of their respective for use in handing out leaflet literacandlewick bedspreads in our homes blossoms, Jack-in-the-pulpit being the ture at a meeting in the progress of that can be related to the program. pastor and the White Rose presenting a program. Have even your collection box har- the closing consecration and installamonize – a Chinese p·ate, a Japanese tion service. The tables were centered The annual meeting is one often relantern or an Indian jug. The with small baskets of flowers to con- quirin!; tastv features to render it aphostesses may wear costumes of the trast with the large one on the speak- petizing. Here is a p'an which was countries considered. Dates and a ers' table, into which the speakers put explained at a conference of Methrice dish may suggest Arabian rice their flowers. There were also stream- odist women of the Cincinnati diswafers and sponge cakes, Japan, etc. ers of ruffled blue crepe paper on a trict, held at Lakeside, Ohio: Now your music, setting, decorations, wider strip of rose pink, with here all keep within the picture presented and there a bud corresponding with Mother Calico, the District Presiby your speaker. the one on the place cards, the buds dent, made ready for the homecoming being made of various colors of paper. of her 11 daughters. All came The wise chairman will have her Mint cups had frills of b:ue and white dressed in calico and responded to ficentire procedure for the afternoon paper. The outside of the program titious names which would represent written down. Should the King's bore a water-color tinted young wom- their various offices. business be hit-or-miss? . . . The an with a May basket on her arm. business meetings may be a danger And on the inside, in addition to the (1) The Recording Secretary came point. If they can be wholly segre- program, was typed the verse: gated, all the better. At least they with a big book in her arms and told can be kept within their time budget .Among the changing months us of her arduous duties and that we and all business tabled that is not May stands confessed, might find a record of all the meetdisposed of in order that the speaker's ings we had held in her district from time be not dissipated. Keep the tone The sweetest and in fairest time immemorial. She was known as of the meeting in harmony with the Colors dressed. "Rebecca Record." great objective. (Avoid fussy dis- -Thomson. cussion of trivial points.) We must (2) The Corresponding Secretary entered with 120 little lanterns strung around and around her neck, also with two huge pockets in her dress filled
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
with them. These were the new mem- tion properly-and how that will af- Observe Laymen's Missionary Sunbers she had to present. She hung fect the whole body I day according to the booklet and sugthe lanterns across the front of the gestions of the Laymen's Missionary church. Her name was "Cora Spond." We will now hsten to Dr. A- (the Movement each year. vice-president of the society), asking (3) The Young People's Secretary her some statistical questions. How Use the stamp co:lecting page in was known as "Mary Youth," and many corpuscles in the blood stream The Herald (and other publications). described her work among her blos- of the Foreign Mission Society? soms. (Members.) How many are still in A Missionary Letter that could be need of specia; treatment? (Unin- read in 10 minutes was sent by Rev. (4) The Junior Secretary, "Char- terested or inactive.) Who may be- Charles Gerlinger of the Sioux Falls ity Childs," told of her Buds. long to that blood stream? (Qualifi- Congregational church, to a circle of cations for membership.) 10 as a round robin with a list of (5) The Mite Box Secretary was names at the bottom, each man to "Blessing Box." With mite boxes Next, let us call the Special Sur- check off his name as he passed the strung around her, she showed how geon of Stewardship. What treat- letter on to the next person. This mighty the little mites may become. ment or operations will be necessary letter made the rounds completely and to bring in these 1,000,000 uninter- was sent to a second circle of men. (6) The Extension Secretary, ested members? "Goldie Extension," was clothed in a See Dr. Lobinger's pamphlet, "Misdress covered with gold stars. She The secretary will now read the sionary Education among Men." told how many zeroes had been re- minutes of Dr. B-'s survey of the moved in the district. last clinic. (Report of previous Let the men's club fo,:low the ex- meeting.) Dr., can you suggest ample of a South Carolina church (7) The Stewardship Secretary, something to improve our patient? men's club which has the rule that "Sally Steward," stressed the facts of two of its 12 meetings each year are Prayer, Personality and Possessions. Similarly doctors impersonated by to be distinctively missionary. the Secretary of Literature, the (8) The Field Support Secretary Treasurer (money :ying nearest the The Anamosa, Iowa, Congregational was "Faithful Fields." Reporting heart and so involvin~ heart ail- church woman's missionary society e~ for the special work in the district, ments), the Extension Secretary tertains the husbands twice a year she urged more auxiliaries to assume (who gives absent treatments), two with a program of dinner, games, field support. doctors for the Program Committee talks, etc. Very popular. The homes (programs aiding digestion, not being are packed and the men always look (9) The Literature Secretary was meant to sleep and dream about, etc.), forward to the next one. "Magie Zine." She entered with arms the Secretary of Membership who loaded with magazines of various ministers to malnutrition, the Leader The Elyria, Ohio, United Presbykinds. We represented ourselves as of Groups who acts as an interne, terian church has a Men's Missionary being more interested in tales of ad- etc., diagnose and prescribe for com- League with a complete organizaventure, fashions, movies, etc., than mon ills. tional setup. It meets monthly, rein the denominational publications; porting real success. [This is one of but in spite of our indifference she Clinic adjourns after prescribing the first we have heard of.-ED.] persisted in selling her literature. for all patients daily prayer and Scripture reading. A diagram may Prayer for Absent Ones (10) The Treasurer was "Hopeful well accompany this. Dollars," and Mother Calico asked her Tune: "Art Thou Weary" to give the "Glad Tidings" as the Mrs. B. H. Daugherty, of Warren, treasurer ca]ed for them. Ohio, was the author of the unique Holy Father, in Thy mercy plan. Hear our earnest prayer: (11) The Publicity Secretary, "Polly Publicity," came with arms That Grab Bag Again Keep our loved ones, now far absent, filled with newspapers and showed 'Neath Thy care. how many different papers over the From Rev. H. D. Davies' Misdistrict had published· the notices of sionary Grab Bag, mentioned Jesus Saviour, let Thy presence the missionary meetings and seem- last month, we take the follow- Be their light and guide; ingly were just as willing to make ing tidbits: room for these as for reports of club Keep, 0 keep them, in their weakness, meetings, etc. Ha,ve the yaung folks themselves At Thy side. give short talks before the Bible A MISS'lONARY CLINIC school, furnishing them the material When in sorrow, when in danger, that they can master and tell in their When in loneliness, This plan, from the same group of own way. women at Lakeside, gives a unique In Thy love reach down and comfort program outline for any meeting in Have panel discussions of world Their distress. which the inner workings of a mis- questions such as communism, race sionary organization-male or female relations, peace, economic justice, etc. May the joy of Thy salvation -are to be explained. Briefly, it ran Be their strength and stay; thus: Have a weekly World News Reel from the Christian viewpoint. A May they love and may they praise How many have ever wished to be Christian "March of Time" feature Thee, present when the doctors ta:ked about is a possibility. our "insides"? Imagine the Foreign Day by day. Mission Society (substitute any de- Have a race relations program ussired name) is laid out on this table ing Nationals of the community to Holy Spirit, let Thy teaching about to be dissected. Many disbe- sing their songs, etc., in costume, pos- Sanctify their life; lieve in vivisection, but adequately to sibly with folk songs and dances. analyze a subject one has to do some The idea is to provoke respect for Send Thy grace that they may concutting. First, imagine the Foreign people who are different yet talented quer Mission Society of the world, then we in their own way. shall cut off this section for our coun- In the strife. try. Next divide this into branches, Have tableaux depicting historical ours being the C- branch. There occasions such as the haystack prayer Father, Son and Ho:y Spiritare 28 auxiliaries functioning in this meeting, the meeting of Livin<!stone God the One in Three, district. See how small a part one and Stanley, etc. A Livingstone plays – it has to be put under a monologue giving the mental debate Bless them, guide them, save them, microscope to see it. But if it hap- as to whether to return to England keep them, pens to be a germ-infested part in one or continue in Africa would be imsmall organ, the whole will not func- pressive. Near to Thee. The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "~»I~~~~==~~~==~=======~ A GOOD STORY DO YOU KNOW HIM? A SHORT LITANY In a book full of action, known Charles Lamb, in talking to Help us, Our Father, to real- ize that Thou art the Father of as "The Acts" we read at the a friend one day, said "I dislike all children of whatever race; beginning that a little company Mr. So and So very much." Response: Increase our viof men and women were told by "Do you know him?" asked his sion, Lord. Jesus, about to begin his heavenly journey, himmelfahrt as friend. Let no prejudices, false pride, "N0," replied Charles Lamb. or feeling of superiority enter into any of our relationships the Germans name the event, "Well, if you knew him you with members of other races; "not to depart from Jerusalem . would like him, for he is a splenbut to wait for the promise of did young man. I should like to Response: Increase our vithe Father." And they, con- bring you two together." sion, Lord. trariwise to many who recently "No," said Charles Lamb, "I followed in thought and prayer don't want to know him, for if I Open our minds that we may the life of Jesus through Geth- did, I'm sure I would like him." realize what happens to a persemane, Golgotha, and Easter To what extent does this typ- son when he is continually remorn, waited, "continuing sted- ify our attitude toward people buffed; fastly in prayer, with the wom- of other races? Do we know the en, and Mary the mother of finest types among them? Do we Response: Increase our vi- Jesus, and with his brethren. want to know them? sion, Lord.
And Peter "stood up . . . Race prejudice is not limited Grant that we may always reit became known. . . they to anyone race nor to anyone spect the sacredness of personwere all together in one place country. It is world wide, but is ality; . . . they were all filled with very tense in certain parts of the Holy Spirit and began to America; in the east it is Response: Increase our vispeak . . . there were added against the Jew and Italian; in sion, Lord. unto them in that day about the south, the Negro, the souththree thousand souls. And they west the Mexican, and the west, May we become increasingly continued stedfastly." This is the Orientals. aware of the great injustices done to those of other racial the opening of a rapidly moving groups in our community.
story filled with choices and ac- Response: Help us, 0 Lord. tions that turned the world up- Prayer (in unison): side down and redirected the o God, who hast made man in course of events even to our day. thine own likeness and who dost What about ourselves? It is love all whom Thou hast made, suffer us not, because of differnow so many days since the cele- ence in race, color or condition, bration of Easter. We have in to separate ourselves from oth- ers and thereby from Thee; but our churches heard the story of teach us the unity of thy family. As thy Son our Saviour, was the Ascension and we now cele- born of a Hebrew mother and brate Whitsuntide. Will we be ministered first to his brethren of the House of Israel, and also conscious of such overwhelming rejoiced in the faith of a Syropower within us, that in our day phenician woman and a Roman new ventures in right living will soldier, teach us also while lov- ing and serving our own, to enbegin? If not, are we dead? Or, ter into the communion of the whole human family. And forare we acting in accordance with bid that, from pride of birth and hardness of heart, we should deour strength to foster the good spise any for whom Christ died life for ourselves and for our or injure any in whom He lives. Amen. MORNAY WILLIAMS. immediate neighbors?
Are we making a good story of our living these days?
"We hear these men talking of STUDENT. BALLARD NORMAL, the triumphs of God in our own MARION, GA. languages!" (Acts 2: 11.) [ 320 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
CAN THIS BE TRUE? do.es life mean to. me?" Let us In a leaflet published by the put o.ur experience into. wo.rds; Co.mmissio.n o.n Race Relatio.ns, no.t necessarily in verse but Federal Co.uncil o.f the Churches within a hundred wo.rds. Then o.f Christ there are sto.ries be- let us co.nsider what we have lieved to. be true and to. be typi- written, and ask, Can this be cal o.f what is happening in true? And what have I, a Chrismany parts o.f so.-called Chris- tian, do.ne to. be wo.rthy o.f life? tian America – no.rth, e a s t, What abo.ut the sto.ry o.f o.ur so.uth, west. The purpo.se o.f the lives, when day is do.ne?
leaflet is to. stimulate a real WHAT THE GOVERNMENT study o.f the situatio.n in every IS DOING co.mmunity where Negro.es are (East Tennessee News, Jan.
living, particularly in regard to. 16, 1936) the health facilities, the ho.spital In the annual repo.rt of the situatio.n, the Negro do.cto.rs Department Qf Co.mmerce are available, and the type o.f serv- included the fQllowing develQP- ice rendered by the citizens ments in the DivisiQn o.f Negro.
thro.ugh public funds. Church Affairs: members have influence no.t o.nly The Negro. bureau's wQrk has thro.ugh church o.rganizatio.ns co.nsisted Qf furnishing infQrma- but as vo.ters, as taxpayers, as J. R. Scot/ord tiQn Qn the race's eCQnQmic sta- contributo.rs o.f mo.ney and sup- ON FARM. AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSO- tus. This has included lists Qf CIATION. BRICKS. )lORTH CAROLINA publicatio.ns, theaters, h 0. m e plies to. ho.spitals, as members o.f women's clubs, and o.ther co.m- Qwnership and tenancy, furnishmunity o.rganizatiQns. SINGERS IN THE DAWN ing o.f infQrmatiQn to. citizens Qn The edito.r believes the fo.llo.w- man y government alphabet ing quo.tation to. be a true sto.ry. Selectio.ns fro. m American The co.llege dean o.f wo.men re- PQets, Phillis Wheatley, Paul agencies, estimates and analyses ferred to. was a perso.nal friend Laurence Dunbar and Qthers o.f the purchasing PQwer o.f the and a Christian leader effective race, addresses to. business gathin changing life bo.th fo.r her are available in a pamphlet (10 erings, etc. Secretary RQper white and co.lo.red f r i end s, cents per co.py). with the title, amo.ng who.m she numbered Singers in the Dawn – A Brief lists additio.nal develo.pments Chinese and Indian leaders. during the year, including the The sto.ry is headed "It Never Supplement to. the Study o.f emplQying of mo.re than 2,000 Occurred to. Them" – "F 0. U r American Literature, prepared yo.ung peo.ple, three o.f them stu- in 1934 by RQbert B. Eleazer. It in tempo.rary white co.llar pro.jdents and the fo.urth their co.l- is published by the CQnference ects during the year, establishlege dean o.f wo.men, moto.ring ment Qf the Qffice Qf Specialist thro.ugh a rural section o.f the on Education and Race Relaco.untry – a co.llision with an- tiQns, Standard Bldg., Atlanta, in Negro. Statistics with Charles o.ther car – the dean and a stu- Geo.rgia. E. Hall in charge, a bibliQgraphy dent critically injured – picked up by kindly hands and rushed Do. yo.u kno.w Paul Laurence Qf Negro. business, a rQster o.f to. the nearest tQwn-the best Dunbar's "Life"? physicians giving their service Negro. air pilo.ts and a list of in emergency treatment. Here co.nventiQn dates. Advice has the picture changes. FrQm the do.cto.rs' Qffices they were taken LIFE also. been given to. perso.ns interto. a small co.ttage, where o.ne was put in a bed, the o.ther Qn a A crust of bread and a corner to sleep ested in entering business, an co.uch, in the care Qf a 'practi- in, assistant business specialist was cal' nurse. Near by stood a well equipped ho.spital. It never o.c- A minute to smile and an hour to appo.inted, a study was begun o.f curred to. the kindly docto.rs o.r weep in, licensed Negro. air pilo.ts to fur- A pint of joy to a peck of trouble, And never a laugh but the moans ther the develQpment Qf flying, and a PQlicy was adQpted o.f us- come double: ing co.lQred enumerators and su- And that is life!
A crust and a corner that love makes pervisQrs in the census Qf Amer- precious, ican business nQW being under- With the smile to warm and the tears taken thrQugho.ut the cQuntry.
to refresh us; The Charles Lamb story and the And joy seems sweeter when cares litany are quoted from Suggestions come after, for Building a Program in Race Re- And a moan is the finest of foils :(or lations for Young People, prepared laughter: to.wnspeo.ple to ask fo.r the ad- And that is life! for the observance of Race Relations Sunday, February, 1936. Meetings missio.n o.f these dying wo.men to. No.w that we have read this based on a community survey, a panel the ho.spital, where scientific expressio.n o.f life based Qn ac- discussion and an opinion test are facilities and expert care might also suggested in the leaflet available have saved at least o.ne life, be- tual experience, the necessity at 105 East 22d St., New York, for cause that ho.spital'do.es nQt re- 3 cents each or $2 Der hundred. The ceive colo.red peo.ple.' " arises fo.r each tho ugh t f u I material is good· for any day in the reader to. ask himself, "What year.
~'I===============
II! Our World–wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events .:It EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~I~~===~–====~=-~=========~ AFRICA results from lack of religious Testaments, Gospels and other Scrip- teaching and they said that tures where no one has ever gone be- Religious Liberty in Egypt there is only one way of com- fore, a great, new field. Again and bating this constantly progress- again the devil tempted me to give up, King Fuad, of Egypt, died on ing evil-"The Word." A non- but the prayers of those at home April 28th, and his sixteen-year- reading population has no he:ped me to keep going. . . . old son, Prince Farouk, a stu- resources to fall back upon when dent in England, has succeeded the floods of evil break in. There I met a man whom I baptized when him. has followed a revival in Arabic at Tamanrasset years ago, and am reading. The desire to read has delighted to find him going on well Fourteen – fifteenths of the extended even to women, and and studying the Scriptures. population of Egypt are Mo- many girls are now going to hammedans. The State religion Koranic schools. At the meeting I am busy translating portions of is Islam. The constitution of mentioned above, a woman de- Scripture and visiting camps of 1922 guarantees religious lib- livered a "Khutba" (Mosque Tuaregs, with medicines and Scriperty, but that does not mean all sermon) creating quite a sensa- tUres. The chiefs have given me a that we in America understand tion. good reception. I have met Arabs by liberty. There is adequate from Nigeria and Lake Chad, and legal procedure for a non-Mos- This movement is full of pos- many Tuaregs who have previously lem to become a Moslem and sibilities for every new reader received Scriptures. Almost every hundreds of the poorer classes of the Koran may become a day visitors come and request Scripeach year embrace Islam. This reader of the Gospel. Every tures. is to be expected in a country reader of Moslem literature towhere all preferment in govern- day may become a reader of Evangelizing a Large Tribe ment, society and even in busi- Christian literature tomorrow. ness is given to members of the The World Survey reports dominant faith. But the Mos- -Blessed Be Egypt. that the native church in the lem authorities take the position Mossi tribe of French West that it is inconceivable that any Opportunity in the Sahara Africa has begun to expand. Moslem would desire to become The tribe is one of the largest in a Christian. Apostocacy from Mr. Dugald Cam p bell, French West Africa and is Islam is still punishable by F.R.G.S., an agent of the Na- mostly found in the Upper Volta death though this penalty is not tional Bible Society of Scotland, Territory. It numbers approxiofficially recognized. describes his recent journey mately 1,500,000 or more. A from Morocco across the Sa- good deal of the New Testament Too many difficult questions hara: has already been translated into are involved for British authori- the Mossi dialect, and is availties to deal with the situation, I am in one of the hottest corners able for the native church. A and the law giving a Moslem the in Africa, after crossing a most ter- beginning has been made with right to become a Christian can rible desert. Once or twice I won- other literature. Reading classes be evaded, or nullified in prac- dered if I could ever get through are held at all mission and outtice. The real solution lies in the alive. It was over 1400 in the sun stations, and Bible training creation of enlightened public and 120 0 in the shade. On the last schools are held at each mission opinion. day, I galloped on my racing camel station where there is a resident ahead of my caravan, hopinp' to reach mIsSIOnary. The young men In Algiers the oasis where distant palms spoke who have attended these Bible of water. I have been drinking the schools are now realizing that Last November there was in most horrible liquid, smelling and the evangelization of their peo- Algiers an important gathering tasting like nothing natural, and my ple rests upon them and not exof the "Ulema" and Moslem mouth and palate were shrive:led up. clusively upon the missionary. celebrities, who came from all When I got to this oasis the Tuareg This beginning of widespread parts of Algeria. There was in chief brought me delicious sour progress in the Mossi tribe has all the speeches the same note of curdled milk, well watered, that tasted aroused some opposition from concern – even alarm over the like nectar. I sat on my mat singing Roman Catholics. The village devastating impact of modern and shouting, "Praise the Lord" in work is more progressive than civilization. All agreed that this Arabic. that in the larger centers of pop- ulation, and the Mossi people as Through the 60 oases of Touat was a whole are open to the Gospel. a time of unique opportunities and Every effort is being made to good work for the Master, and of teach the native Christians to pioneering for the Gospel. It has been a joy that I have circulated Bibles, [322 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
read and to build up a literate wife of the Government Agent mighty surgings toward a new Church. for South Africa. It is in charge and better hfe. The old order is of a C. M. S. missionary, Dr. doomed and the shackles of big- Hausa Bible Bears Fruit Alma Downes Shaw, and she has otry, intolerance, ignorance and been assisted by British, Indian superstition are everywhere be- The "Hausa" Bible has al- and African helpers. So far, ing broken. Syria is awakening ready brought excellent results the accommodation for in-pa- from the long sleep of the cenin Nigeria. During 1932, when tients is very limited, but there turies, and everywhere we see it first appeared, there were 60 have been more than 3,000 at- abundant evidence of a new and decisions for Christ at J os, in tendances of out-patients. better day." Southern Baptists the Bishara day school and have work at two centers: a church. During 1933, there A free lending library in the small Baptist church in Beirut were 61 decisions; in 1934, 103, out-patient waiting-room con- and one between the Lebanon and for 1935 the number re- tains copies of the Scriptures in and anti-Lebanon mountains. corded is 143. The great ma- a ¥ariety of languages and other jority of these were young men Christian books in English, Kis- – Watchman-Examiner. who had been reading the Hausa wahili and Gujerati. The doc- Bible. From among them con- tor finds a warm welcome when Rapid Growth of Haifa verts have gone to other regions, she is able to visit her patients. helping others to read and wit- Some one following the exnessing for Christ while they -The Life of Faith. ample of Paul, "to the Jew first," work for their daily bread. led a young rabbinical student WESTERN ASIA of Jerusalem to Christ. He came At a gold mining camp, the to America, graduated from the proprietor had put up a sign: What Every Turkish Girl Moody Bible Institute, then re- "N0 missionaries allowed," but Should Know turned to his own land to witthese young men went in as ness to his people; He is now miners and worked as mission- In a drive to improve their located in Haifa. Of this city he aries also. The Hausa tribe is students' moral outlook, the writes: largely Moslem. headmasters of all girls' high schools in Smyrna have jointly "Haifa is rapidly enlarging its -Evangelical Christian. sent a number of recommenda- borders and the eyes of the in- tions to parents. According to coming Jews are being set to- Idols Destroyed these, no schoolgirl should go to wards it. Little suburbs are be- a cinema unless she goes with ing built up around it. The Former pupils of the Etinan her school or is accompanied by Jews from· Germany are build- Bible Institute, Qua Iboe Mis- an adult member of her family. ing a nice little settlement on the sion, central Africa, are in If men try to talk to her on the Haifa Bay. Near our house a charge of schools of their own. street she ought to tell her par- new quarter came into being A missionary writes: "It is an ents or the headmaster. She under the charming name of encouragement to us to see these should not talk to a young man Kiriath Eliahu (Elijah's City). pupils going on faithfully with on the street, even if he happens As a matter of fact, every street their work amid growing diffi- to be a relative, unless he is her has new houses on it. What is culties. They work in much the own brother. She ought always true of Haifa is true of other same spirit, and use the same to wear her school cap, to pre- cities that are open to the Jews." methods that have been a fea- vent her being taken to a police ture of our Institute. Our wom- station in case she chances to be -Moody Institute Bulletin. en's Sunday school goes on stead- included in a police raid! The ily. The members contributed parents' attention is called to the Education in Iran over £3 during the year for evan- fact that the Turkish woman's gelism in Igala." The elders of real beauty resides in her sim- Constant progress in educathe Etinan church have ap- plicity. Their daughters should, tion is shown by the fact that in proved 800 candidates for bap- therefore, refrain from wearing 1910 the number of primary tism, after examination. loud colors, extravagant orna- schools numbered only 112, with ments, rings, earrings, or to 10,531 pupils, of whom 2,167 Eleven boys have been sent paint their faces and nails. were girls. The two secondary out to unoccupied villages, and schools in the country enrolled almost everywhere they have Syria Awakening 154 pupils. Higher education preached, idols and ju-jus are was limited to a faculty of medibeing burnt, and large numbers Dr. Charles E. Maddry, Ex- cine, a polytechnic and a miliare attending the services. ecutive Secretary of the South- tary school. Under the reign of ern Baptist Foreign Mission Shah Riza Pehliwi, the number -The Christian. Board who is visiting the mis- of schools has increased to well sion fields, writes that Syria is over 4,000 with over 200,000 New C. M. S. Work in Kenya in the midst of a rebirth. "It pupils of whom one-third are is an old land in the count of girls. Secondary and higher In February, 1935, a hospital years, yet along with many other education have registered a corfor Indian women and children old lands today, it is in the responding advance. was opened at Mombasa by Lady Singh, a Christian Indian lady,
INDIA, BURMA AND SIAM cided there were certain things the Depressed Classes," with a they must know," says a writer fund of a million rupees ($375,- World's Largest Hindu Temple in World Call. "One was the 000) and 1,000 Moslem evan- Lord's Prayer. Experience is a gelists, each giving 20 years of A new temple is to be erected great teacher and we soon found his life to work among the 54,- in Benares, near the Hindu Uni- that they were not able to learn 000,000 outcastes. versity. The building, designed that at once. Therefore we by Calcutta architects, will em- chose this sentence prayer, 'Oh, Life without caste is difficult body the best features of Hindu God, make my heart clean. In for them to comprehend. Said architecture and will cost about Jesus' name.' This was learned an Indian to a missionary re- $750,000. It is expected to be by all of the women including cently: "When one believes in the largest temple in the world, some of the non-Christians. Christ and wants to follow Him and will draw many more pil- Now a number of the Christians do you bring him into Christ's grims to Benares. know the Lord's Prayer and the caste?" rest are learning it. Missions asks whether this Through One Man's Witness new temple may possibly fore- "Recently one of these nonshadow a revival of Hinduism. Christian women, who has al- About two years ago, a Cha- ways attended the meetings, mar, who had been led to Christ Famous Norwegian Missionary brought her daughter-in-law to through a Christian sweeper, the hospital in Bilaspur. Just started a movement among his Paul Olaf Bodding, Lutheran before the operation, Dr. Nicho- own class. Through this man's missionary to Santal, went to son explained to them how they testimony Chamars from neighthat field from Norway in 1889, always prayed to God before boring villages became inquirwhen he was 24. Here are some starting the work and asked ers. A group of about forty of the things he has done in 46 them to bow their heads. The men and women from two vilyears: mother-in-law said, 'Oh, yes, I lages expressed their desire to know what it is to pray.' She become Christians. Later, fierce (1) He made and revised a com- stood very reverently and when persecution from the caste peoplete translation of the Bible into the prayer was finished, she her- ple partially stamped out the Santhali. (2) He revised a San- self prayed, 'Oh, God, make my movement; but during the past thali dictionary of 13,500 words. (3) heart clean. In Jesus' name.''' year it has revived and has He has written a standard book of spread from village to village. doctrine. (4) He has published a Depressed Classes on the Move Mrs. G. S. Ingram writes of this volume of studies in Santal medicine work in the C. M. S. Outlook: and folklore. (5) He has collected Since the movement of the and placed in Oslo, Norway, the Depressed Classes away from "Many of the new Christians largest ethnographical museum of Hinduism, under the leadership have grown in grace during the Santals in the world. (6) He is an of Dr. Ambedkar, invitations past months in a way that has authority in census taking. (7) He have been given them to join amazed us, and filled us with has published a Santal hymnal. Mohammedanism or Buddhism. thankfulness. They are learn- Large numbers in North India ing to pray; the few who can All these tasks are by- had previously become Moham- read are not only feeding on the products of his ministry. His medan, attracted by the fact Word of God themselves but are chief work has been that of the that Mohammedanism does not teaching others; they are learnordinary missionary-teaching, recognize caste. ing to give to God's work out of preaching and various acts of their deep poverty, to stand permercy. He has received recog- If the present ferment is secution, and to win others for nition in various ways: King merely a social or political up- Christ. None of them has yet Haakon made him a Knight of heaval, obviously C h r i s t ian been baptized, except the orig- St. Olav; King George gave him forces can play no part in it. inal Chamar." the Delhi Royal Medal. He is Nor do they want the Harijans an honorary member of the Brit- to feel that Christianity can be Movement Toward Union ish and Foreign Bible Society bartered for mass conversions and of the Norwegian Academy but that conversion is a purely A movement for union of of Science. He is a Fellow of spiritual change of heart in the Anglican and Met hod i s t the Asiatic Society of Bengal individual. Churches in Burma, along the and a member of the Council of line of the South India plan, is this Society and its anthropolog- A Hindu newspaper recently being held up owing to the postical secretary. He is a member had a cartoon picturing Dr. Am- ponement of negotiations in of the Royal Asiatic Society, the bedkar as a judge with a gavel, South India. The Methodist American Oriental Society, of while all around are groups rep- Mission is working solely in the the Bihar and Orissa Research resenting the different religions dry zone, or central belt of Society and the Bombay An- making flattering bids. Moham- Burma. The Anglican Church thropological Society. His motto medans have a "50 year plan" is working largely in Lower is Luke 17: 10. calling for 100,000 members in Burma through the Society for a society named "The Moslem the Propagation of the Gospel, -Lutheran News Service. Mission for the Emancipation of which also has a strong mission Learning to Pray "When the Murhipar women started to accept Christ, we de-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
in Mandalay, the Methodist operative rate being only one is a passport to regions which headquarters. In the far north, and a fifth per cent. Loans have otherwIse he dare not visit. -E. M. M. S. Quarterly. as well as in the coastal district also helped to build dwellings of Arakan, it is also represented and pay children's tuition. Healing on Wheels through the Bible Churchmen's Mr. Wang hopes for the day Rev. George W. Shepherd and Missionary Society. The latter when all the members will be Dr. Clara Sargent Shepherd, of free of outside debts and can Lichwan, Kiangsi, China, have mission has now been at work borrow for constructive or pro- received the gift of an up-to-date for eleven and a half years in ductive purposes. He adds: motor ambulance from Edsel hitherto untouched areas; there "We hold fast to our conviction ~'ord for country work in China. is a growing Christian commu- that the cooperative movement Five minutes after its arrival it nity of some 300 converts of 18 has its share in bringing China was on the road to Kiangsi. It different races. The Bishop of to Christ and building HIS King- had to "ford" rivers, wait for Rangoon, formerly a jungle mis- dom on earth." broken bridges to be repaired, sionary to the K are n s, is and narrowly escaped capture strongly in favor of developing Medicine – A Door for by bandit troops said to be comthe indigenous Church along the Gospel munistic. The Shanghai Muself-supporting lines. nicipality gave the Shepherds There were no doctors among license plates and drivers' li- Effort also was made to ef- the pioneers of the China Inland censes free of charge. Up to fect a Baptist union of India, Mission which Hudson Taylor January 1, this health car had Burma and Ceylon, at a meeting tounded in 1865. It was not traveled over 1,200 miles on erin Balasore, February 16, 1936, until 1880 with the arrival of when a simple constitution was drafted.
CHINA Dr. Harold Schofield that med- rands of mercy. ical work was attempted. The -MissiotUZry llerald.
Millions Without Food attitude of Hudson Taylor to- The New York Times (April ward medical, and all auxiliary Country Evangelism 19) reports wholesale suicides work was, in his own words and "mercy" slayings in Szech- "that everything that is human, World Call tells of the Young wan f'rovince, which is suffering everything outside the suffi- People's Christian Fellowship of the worst famine in China's his- ciency of Christ, is only helpful Nantungchow, w h i c h divides tory. The authorities fear 15,- in the measure in which it en- into two groups to visit near-by OOU,OOO will die unless the en- ables us to bring the soul to Him. villages in rotation on Sunday tire resources of the nation are . . . If our medical missions afternoons. Each group has a devoted to relief. With tree draw people to us, and we can leader, a nurse and singers. bark, roots and grasses long present to them the Christ of They carry a medical hit, posters since exhausted, dying thou- God, medical missions are a and song sheets. On arriving at sands allegedly are reduced to blessing; but to substitute medi- a village some members of the cooking and eating human flesh cine for the preaching of the group visit in the homes to get from the bodies of relatives, gospel would be a profound mis- acquainted, while the nurse dead through starvation. Par- take." opens the medical kit. This soon ents are said to have slain their draws a crowd, among whom children before ending their Rev. F. Houghton, editorial are sure to be those needing secretary of the C. 1. M., spent medical attention. After a busy own lives. most of 1935 traveling in 12 hour of clinical work which in- Chinese provinces, and reports cludes the distribution of free Officials say that the situation instance after instance of preju- hospital clinic cards to those in primarily is a result of Com- dices removed and new doors need of further medical attenmunist incursions during the opened through medical work, tion, members of the band form past two years, in which the of men and women whose phys- a circle, sing a song or two, un- Reds overran the land. The area ical healing has prepared them roll the poster, give the story today is barren. Not a sheep, for the salvation of their souls, with a simple gospel message, pig, fowl or crop remains. The and of Chinese doctors occupy- and teach the children how to invaders .took all of. these and ing positions of leadership in the sing an easy song. ate the seed grain. churches. One doctor, whose A Christian Cooperative hospital was closed through the Newchwang Bible School approach of Communist armies, The pastor of St. Lioba's Epis- refused to allow his activities to The sixth year of the Newch-= copal Church, Wuhu, has helped be curbed, and in country itin- wang Bible School, Manchuria, to organize a credit cooperative. erations among p eo pIe who has been marked by many out- The burden of debt is heavy would have feared to visit the standing evidences of success. among the Chinese; most of the hospital he treated over four The student body of 1935 was loans have been made to clear thousand patients. Another, on representative of ten different up debts for which a high rate the Tibetan border, is constantly missions. In the first half of the of interest was charged, the co- discovering that his medical skill year there were 100 students in
the school. Twelve graduated in Special permission is given to Japan Diet held its first session the summer: one is working missionary workers to board the and the Emperor's Edict on with the Canadian Mission, an- large passenger liners which Education was issued, clarifying other with the American Re- visit ports on the Pacific coast. Japanese ideas toward educaformed Presbyterian Mission, These liners carry up to 1,200 tion and stimUlating interest in three with the Scottish Mission, passengers. Some are lonely it. When Miss Bigelow, the and seven with the Irish Mis- and fearful of the hidden future, "mother" of this school, was sent sion. Altogether 53 students and therefore doubly receptive from Tokyo to take up the duties have graduated from the school of a friendly greeting and the of Principal in 1899, fear was since it started. In the autumn loving gift of a Gospel. Many expressed for "such a young 31 new students entered, and of them travel home again, and lady in such a remote mountaintwenty-four students of the fifth therefore carry the Word of God ous place." However, armed class went out for a term's evan- to their distant homes. with the first teaching-license isgelistic work. One of these went sued by the Minister of Educato work among the Mongols. A Oustom Worth Oopying tion, Miss Bigelow was in no During the past six months he danger of failing, as her fortyhas traveled on foot 700 miles, They have a custom in the four years of varied service have and preached the Gospel to Mon- little Japanese church at Ko- shown. The honor she received golians of seven different dia- machi that might well be copied from the Government in 1920 lects. Two others went to work in America-that of giving spe- and from the Tokyo Women's in North Manchuria; one has cial gifts of money as expres- Union in 1925, and the many held meetings at six centers, has sions of gratitude on different gifts showered upon her by preached the Gospel in forty- occasions. Practically all of the graduates, teachers and students seven villages, and paid visits to members give birthday money, upon her retirement in 1930 are 1,700 homes. Through his work says Miss Katharine Merrill, of only a small indication of how over 200 people have put away Matsuyama. A list of some of well she has succeeded. their idols and turned to the the "specials" includes: "25th Lord. wedding anniversary," "f irs t Ohanged Lives in Hakodate birthday of a baby daughter," Students manifest a keen "wedding gift," "fifth anniver- Floyd Shacklock, Methodist evangelistic spirit. Each day sary of a husband's death" (in missionary to Japan, tells of a they take part in some Christian memoriam) ; gratitude for "safe recent visit to a social center activity, such as Gospel-hall arrival in Tokyo," for the "grad- opened in the worst slum section preaching, open-air work, cot- uation of a son from high of Hakodate, after the disastage meetings, hospital visita- school," "gratitude gift from an trous fire when 100,000 people tion and personal dealing. Many unbaptized young Christian," were made homeless and several of them spent their holiday pe- "gift of thanksgiving" from a thousand were dead or missing. riods in evangelistic work. A deacon whose church has just prayer atmosphere pervades the been able to get a regular pastor. In the kindergarten and day school. The leader of the women nursery, children who n in e students' Prayer Groups reports -American Board News. months before were antisocial 100 definite answers to special little s a vag e s, fighting and petitions, some of them most re- The "Light and Salt School" throwing sand and calling vile markable. -The Christian. names, now join in cooperative In Shimonoseki an earnest games and handicraft. This JAPAN-OHOSEN Christian, interested in religious refugee community was dis- training for girls, founded a tinctly hostile to Christianity Ways of Spreading the Gospel school which he called The when the work was begun after "Light and Salt School" and the fire, but now the barriers are In Japan there are eight which, in 1881, he moved to down. Boys' clubs, girls' clubs standard classes for scholars Yamaguchi. He began his teach- and adults' groups carryon a learning to read, and the system ing of English in a temple, and varied program. Though many of education in reading is highly patiently worked on until he of these slum people are stilllivcomplicated and difficult; so managed to get a school license, ing at so Iowa level that it is almuch so that there is need for a although there was great opposi- most revolting, they are facing Scripture translation in collo- tion since there was already a toward the more abundant life. Quial Japanese. This is now small school for girls in that available through the Scripture city and another was thought -The Christian Advocate. Gift Mission and a Japanese unnecessary. It happened that Christian translator. This Mis- the Governor of the province Enlists Youth Against sion is taking advantage of the had had two years of study in Oommunism opportunity to distribute Gos- America and was a good friend pels among the large numbers of of the "father" of the school, so Prof. Paul Rusch, of St. Paul's Japanese who are migrating he gave the license without con- University, Tokyo, believes that from the homeland, chiefly to sultation, merely informing the the world battleground against Brazil and California. officials that it had been granted. communism is certain to be the This was the year in which the Orient. There is increasing evi- dence, he said, that a war with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
communism will be fought in the Bible institutes and girls from a sea captain cruising around Far East, and that Japan will the higher Bible school and their bent on conquest; such is Palabe the buffer against its growth. Bible institute have regularly wan, southwesternmost and one The chief element which has an worked. Tent evangelism has of the largest of the Philippine opportunity to combat commu- been taken up within the last Islands. The census records nism in the Orient, he declared, two or three years. It has about 75,000 people in the provis the Christian youth move- yielded wonderful results in ince, but the true figure seems ment. He has recently an- Chairyung and Taiku fields, and to lie nearer 175,000, certainly nounced that he will enlist to some extent in Chungju. over 150,000. Nobody knows 100,000 young Japanese in a how many are in the wild and Christian movement to combat Every hospital in Korea has ever-moving tribes of the mounthe red menace. one or more evangelists work- tains. Only one tribe has a ing in their wa:iting rooms and written language. Aside from Strange Sect Dissolved wards. Scores of new churches a haphazard planting of rice have grown from this work. In they take no interest in the cul- Japan has a queer religion Pyengyang, each month 5,000 tivation of foodstuffs, being called Omotokyo which has been copies of a little paper called the satisfied with what the ground described as "a combination of "Light of Pyengyang" are sent brings forth – roots and nuts, Shintoism, Chauvinism, mega- out. Special workers circulate and such meat as they are able lomania and mesmerism, found- among the homes where stu- to capture. ed by a half crazy, illiterate old dents are boarding and try to woman and propagated by a win them. Thus in many ways The apostle to Palawan is shrewd man of the world." Its the work goes steadily on. Capt. Ellis Skoefield, and he remembership has been estimated ports steady growth. Christian to be as high as two millions. -The Presbyterian Banner. believers at this center are erect- But its supporters r e c e n t I y ing a building for church servfound that divine reincarnations ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC ices. From another center it is sometimes have their disadvan- reported that eighteen were retages. Since the leader of the The Sarawak Field cently baptized, and the memsect claims to be the reincarna- bers there have donated a lot on tion of a primeval god of Japan Sarawak in Borneo is one of which they have almost comwho preceded the sun goddess, the most unique pieces of mis- pleted the erection of a chapel, ancestress of the present im- sion work that the Christian all the expense of the work beperial family, the sect was dis- Church has to its credit. Thirty- ing met by local Christians. In solved, and its leader held on five years ago Chinese Christian the northern part of the island charges including lese majeste. colonists began to settle in Sara- special meetings have been held, wak. A year after these people with as many as 200 gathered to -The Living Church. landed, James M. Hoover, a hear the Word. you n g Methodist missionary A Year of Jubilee from Malaya, volunteered to go -Moody Institute Monthly. to Borneo to work with them. The year 1934 was really ,a Working practically alone Mr. Alliance Mission in J 010 jubilee year in Korean churches. and Mrs. Hoover have developed The General Assembly of 1935 a Christian community up and The Christian and Missionary reported 25,544 additions to the down the Rejang River that is Alliance report a large, new total of 1934 – 298,431 adher- a r em ark a b I e achievement. church built in Jolo, P. I., dients. In the 3,252 Sunday Forty-six school and church cen- rected by a capable native passchools, 296,492 pupils were re- ters now stand as a monument tor. Two new chapels have been ported. Four hundred and to their thirty-four years of built and a new district opened twenty-six pastors were in active faithful and efficient service. in the Cotabato Province. In service besides 62 retired or the Margosatubig field there temporarily without c h a r g e. At the age of 64, Mr. Hoover were 97 baptisms. Thirteen Four hundred and ninety-four succumbed to malignant malaria, convicts in the San Ramon other salaried men workers and but anticipating the need for Prison were baptized during the 524 women served the church. younger shoulders to carry the year, the result of the Sunday Fully 200. new churches were burden he had selected a couple school classes held each week at erected. The new believers were from Malaya to begin work in this institution. Twenty-five not won in mass conversion, but 1936. They are now enthusias- converts were baptized in the each one independently made his tically serving in this challeng- Sulu District. Full gospel tracts, . or her own covenant with the ing field. Plans include the es- in five dialects, have been Lord, each witnessing to his tablishment of a new station 160 printed and sent into homes. neighbor. miles up the Rejang River. Five young native pastors Street evangelism has been in -Malaysia Message. were ordained this year, the operation the past 10 years, and first ordination service in the theological stUdents, boys from Pioneering in Palawan history of the Alliance Philipthe college and academy and pine Mission. Plans have been A great lonely island, tens Of formulated to carry the gospel thousands of aborigines with bows and arrows and blow guns;
to unreached pagan sections this sion in giving hit bottom in authority of the Scriptures. (2) 1934 and turned upward in 1935. The Trinity, including the Deity year. -Alliance Weekly. Total gifts last year increased of Christ and the Personality of over the previous year for the the Holy Spirit. (3) The fall Missionary Home Needed first time since 1928, a'ccording of man, his moral depravity, and to an analysis by the department his need of regeneration. (4) The Christian group in Hono- of research and education of the The Atonement through the sublulu believe that an interdenom- Federal Council of Churches. stitutionary death of Christ. inational missionary home and (5) Justification by faith in a Bible school at this strategic During the seven-year slump, Christ, apart from works. (6) crossroads of the Pacific would contributions for congregational The bodily resurrection of render a valuable service. Such expenses stood up better than Christ, and also of the saved and a home would afford an oppor- gifts for benevolences. the unsaved. (7) The unending tunity for missionaries to rest life of the saved and the unendin a congenial atmosphere before The Moravians set a record ing punishment of the unsaved. continuing their arduous work. for per capita giving in 1928 (8) The personal, bodily and Many have no reason to come all when collections a v era g e d visible return of Christ. the way to America for their $72.53 a member. No other furloughs. group in any year approached -The Presbyterian. that mark. There is also great need of a Methodist Union Voted Bible school for young people, How the Churches Gave mostly Hawaiian, Chinese, Jap- The quadrennial General Conanese, Korean and Filipino, The U nit e d Stewardship ference of the Methodist -Episamong the 85,000 students in the Council reports the gifts for re- copal Church which met recently public and private schools, who ligious purposes of the leading in Columbus, Ohio, voted to would like to prepare for full- denominations in the United adopt a plan for union with the time Christian service in the States for the year 1935. Per Methodist Episcopal Church, Islands and in the Orient. There capita gifts for all purposes of South, and the Methodist Protare several well-equipped Bible some of the larger denomina- estant Church if this plan is teachers in Honolulu who teach tions were as follows: United adopted by the other two Meththe Bible as the Word of God. Presbyterian Church, $21.56 ; odist Assemblies. The merger The missionaries also might the Presbyterian Church in the will be completed in 1940. The serve as teachers, with little or United States, $19.03; the Pres- Methodist Protestant Church no salary, on the faculty of such byterian Church in the United split from the American Metha Bible school. States of America, $18.56 ; odist in 1921 because of dis- Methodist Episcopal Church, agreement in regard to lay rep- -The Presbyterian. $14.15; Methodist Episcopal resentation. Their General Con- Church, Sou t h, $9.36; the ference will vote on this at their NORTH AMERICA Northern Baptist denomination, meeting in High Point, N. C. $11.34; the Southern Baptist The Methodist E pis cop a I Campaign Against Atheism denomination, $5.76. The larg- Ghurch, South, broke away in est per capita gift of any denom- 1845 on account of disagreement At a recent meeting held in ination listed is that of the as to slavery. They will not Richmond, Va., in old St. John's Church of the Nazarene, $26.77. meet to vote on the plan of re- Church, made famous by Patrick The lowest is that of the South- union until 1938. In case the Henry's speech, "Give Me Lib- ern Baptist denomination, $5.76. union is completed, the united erty or Give Me Death," a cam- The total gifts for all purposes church will number about eight paign was launched against of twenty – five denominations million members. The plan is atheism and communism in the listed were $304,692,409.21. chiefly opposed by Negro Meth- United States. odists because it proposes to set Union of "Faith Missions" up a jurisdictional Negro Con- Among the leaders behind the ference which will segregate movement are Bishop Freeman, The International Foreign them from the rest of the Methof Washington; Bishop Tucker, Mission Association of North odist Church. of Virginia; Bishop Edwin America brings together for Mouzon, of the Methodist Epis- counsel and reference sixteen Largest Church Federation copal Church; the Rev. John nondenominational mission en- Fraser, Baltimore University terprises. More than two thou- The Chicago Federation ,of Baptist Church; Max Reich, sand missionaries are sent but Churches is said to be the President of the Hebrew Church under these sixteen Boards. largest and most influential city Alliance, and' others. Efforts They administer over a million federation in the country. A rewill be made to enlist all clergy- dollars annually, and go into ligious census just made of Chimen in a fight against commu- many of the out-of-the-way cor- cago indicates that there are nism and all forms of atheism. ners of the world. The doctrinal 1,437 Protestant churches in the basis of them all is: (1) The metropolitan area, with a mem- -The Living Church. plenary inspiration and divine Upward Trend in Giving Gauged by contributions to Protestant churches, the depres-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
bership of practically 600,000. chapel group, of which there are Church to Jom the Baptist The membership of the Chicago sixteen, may more completely Church, saying: "After reading Church Federation has risen understand and enjoy their serv- the Scriptures we have confrom 850 two years ago to 1,049 ices. cluded the Roman Church is not churches, representing 18 dif- the one instituted by Jesus ferent denominations. The total Goodwill Industries is a wel- Christ." number of Protestant ministers fare organization sponsored by serving churches in the city and the Home Missionary Society of A Baptist pastor writes that suburbs is 1,765. the First M. E. Church, of Los one evening last May a farmer Angeles. It is interdenomina- called and asked him to preach Mr. Walter R. Mee is Execu- tional in scope and provides in the village of Ste. Rosalie tive Secretary of the Federation work for men and women who where about 90 families were inand is now in the 18th year of are for the most part incapaci- terested in hearing the Gospel. his service. He has done a most tated for other work. After many weeks and after remarkable work in bringing further invitations by letter this the churches together in a uni- Home for Indians pastor went to the village, and fied program, and in keeping a found a real desire to know the balanced budget. -Advance. Friends' work among Indians truth. is not new, but that in Los An- Help for Miners' Children geles it is new. It was begun by The work has expanded, and Myra Frye, full-blooded Kicka- neighboring villages have asked "Save the Children," an or- poo Indian who was reared and for Protestant preaching. ganization with national head- educated by two women missionquarters at 156 Fifth Avenue, aries in what was once Indian Chinese Want Consolidation New York, which has long been Territory. Myra prepared for doing an extensive work among missionary work among her own Several denominations now the neglected children of the people, but finding no open door have Chinese missions in Cali- Southern mountains, is contem- came to Los Angeles in 1930. fornia. With refugees escaping plating a child welfare project from Mexico and awaiting dein the coal fields of southern Il- According to the U. S. Indian portation to China, the missions linois, where a survey has re- Placement Bureau in Los An- have had much social service to vealed the necessity for the type geles, about two thousand In- perform. Chinese young people of service that has proved so dians are registered with them. of the third generation, college effective in Kentucky and Ten- Of this number about eight hun- trained, are asking that the vanessee. The organization has dred are girls, most of whom do rious Pro t est ant Chinese been assured of the cooperation housework for a living, and have churches consolidate. There are of the citizens of Herrin, Har- no home in the city. Very few, 3,000 Chinese in Los Angeles. risburg, and other parts of the except Catholics, go to any The Los Angeles Church extensouthern Illinois territory. church; they do not feel at home sion board is asking $1,500 more among the "paleface." When to develop the work and to bring "Save the Children," of which off duty, on Sunday and Thurs- Evangelist Gee to it. Dr. John R. Voris is president day, they have no wholesome and executive director, endeav- recreation, no place to meet -Presbyterian Tribune. ors to supply food, clothing, their friends, to spend their shoes, medical service and other time or to rest, and no religious LATIN AMERICA welfare help, with educational, service. recreational and character-build- The Situation in Mexico ing programs for twenty thou- In April, 1935, a place was sand children in isolated regions offered where vesper services Churches in the Mexican of the southern mountains. might be held on Sunday eve- states of Campeche and Sinaloa nings but this was not enough have been allowed to open in ac- Chapel for Deaf Mutes to meet all their needs, and cordance with a recent state- again the Lord a n s w ere d ment by President Cardenas One of the most unique reli- prayers, and rooms especially that there would be a relaxation gious services in California has well suited for all purposes were in the government Church polbeen inaugurated in a series of secured on faith. Additional icy. A Catholic leader said that daily chapel services for deaf rooms were opened last August. there had been no developments, mtues who are workers at Good- Many of the Indians are begin- however, to justify belief that will Industries. The service con- ning to feel that this is home, the government would grant real sists of the reading of hymns, a a truly Christian home. religious liberty, pointing out passage of scripture, a prayer that four churches in the State and a talk by a worker in the -Friends Missionary of Mexico had been seized reshoe department, all given in the Advocate. cently, two of them by armed sign and lip language. The Federal troops who padlocked same worker is also teaching a Stirring in Quebec tp.e buildings. According to this class in the sign language one spokesman, in at least eight of noon each week in order that the A group of eleven French the twenty-eight Mexican states, Canadian men and women in all churches are closed, and Quebec have left the Roman
fewer than 200 priests are al- that have come out of that group tober, foreign priests and minlowed to officiate in the entire are very remarkable. isters must cease their activities Republic. Other Roman Cath- before the end of April, 1936. olics viewed the situation more Mention was made recently of Churches and other buildings optimistically. the building, formerly used by used for religious purposes, even the Catholic Church, which has though built by private contri- A colony of Mormons in the been turned over to the largest butions and on privately owned State of Chihuahua felt the Presbyterian congregation in all land, will be nationalized and weight of antireligious groups Mexico to replace the old build- become government property. in Mexico w hen agrarians ing occupied by them for over seized the land of the colony and fifty years in another part of the Evangelicals in Brazil forced the Mormons to sell it. city, but destroyed by govern- Mennonite leaders also prepared ment orders a year ago in order An Evangelical Congress is to to move a colony of 7,000 from to make room for the widening be held in Brazil in the latter Mexico to escape religious re- of a street. part of June, organized by the pression. Confederation 0 f Evangelical This congregation bears the Churches. Evangelization is the -The Living Church. name of "The Church of the Di- first of the subjects which will vine Saviour." It has a mem- come under review, and an im- Encouraging Signs bership of over seven hundred portant place is being given to and a total constituency that questions relating to w 0 r k The National Baptist Conven- would probably reach two thou- among youth and the production sand, scattered from end to end and use of literature. The Evantion of Mexico supports ten col- of this great city of a million gelical Confederation was or- people. Attendance at Sunday ganized in 1934, drawing its inporteur – evangelists, m 0 s t of school rarely falls below 300. spiration from a previous move- ment tow a r d s cooperation, them in States where the pop- A Pause That Challenges which in the main exhibited a marked missionary influence ulation is predominantly Indian. The year 1936 marks the cen- from abroad. The present Con- tenary of the foundation of per- federation is primarily a Bra- Because an altar and a sanc- manent Evangelical missions in zilian movement, drawing its in- Latin America. Mr. Kenneth G. spiration from the desire of Bratuary are not indispensable for Grubb, in South America, lists zilian Christians to forward the the accomplishments of the cen- evangelization of their country. their ministry, they do not suf- tury and adds: -The Christian. fer from governmental restric- "We have reached a pause in the de- velopment of evangelical work in a EUROPE tions as seriously as do the Ro- large part of Spanish-speaking Amer- ica," and refers particularly to "a England and Tithing man Catholic priests. They use problem of Church and State," with which he couples "the familiar difficul- A move tantamount to partial the homes of friends as centers ties raised by the spread of 'antire- disendowment of the Church of ligion.' . . . In Mexico, Venezuela, England was made by the Britfor spreading the gospel. Guatemala, Costa .Rica, Ecuador and ish Government last March, other republics, there are either signs when a report of a Royal Com- In Mexico City the Baptist or else achievements which show that mission on the "Tithe Rent the State is going to exercise much Charge" was adopted, elim- Sunday school has outgrown its closer restriction over the rights of inating this charge over a pe- religious and educational bodies in its riod of 85 years. building. This church has just midst." Again referring to what he calls "a pause," he asks, "Is it a pause The tithe rent-charge was a built a chapel in a suburb of the at the center of a whirlwind of mighty tax to the value of some two- events around us which will shortly pence an acre collected in procity, where a mission Sunday crush us out of existence? Or is it duce from agricultural areas wherein we hear the still small voice until 1836, when the fee became school has now become a Bap- of God bidding us again go forward payable in cash. Although called and conquer? . . . Is it, in fine, a a "tithe" it was apparently very tist church. A weekly prayer pause of poverty, or a pause for seldom equivalent to ten per power? cent. It applied to certain meeting is held in the Baptist lands, the income from which Ecuador Fights Ecclesiasticism was thus taxed for the support Church in Mexico City, attended of the Church or of lay institu- According to Associated Press tions – schools, colleges, hospiby Mexican pastors of all de- reports, Ecuador joins the pro- tals, asylums, etc. cession headed by Russia, Turnominations. -Missions. key and Mexico in seeking to up- root organized religion. As in The Spirit's Breath Mexico, the Roman Catholic Church is involved. By govern- The Presbyterian Board re- ment decree issued late in Ocports that things are happening in the Protestant Church in Mexico. Someone has said: "When opposition drives Christians to their knees in prayer to God, with tears, you may be certain there is going to be a revival." Just this has happened in Mexico. More prayer is going up to God than for many a year. Prayer circles are springing up all over the land. In Mexico City a group of Mexican pastors and foreign missionaries meets every morning befor"e breakfast for prayer together. The experiences and answers
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Since this move automatically theological instruction at the 19. Worldly parents. cuts the revenue of the Church universities. 20. Wrong home environment. or other lay institution which 21. Lack of evangelism suited to was beneficiary under the old For Russian Refugees plan, the state will undertake to youth. make up on a predetermined Mr. George Urban, Superin- 22. The sex problem. basis a portion of the loss, which tendent of the Russian Gospel is estimated to be about $67,- Movement which works among Some of these propositions 000,000 for the Church alone. refugees in France and Belgium, overlap, but summed up it ap- reports that at the mission's pears that a severe condemna- London Methodist Mission church in Paris, thirty-nine new tion is made of the three great converts were baptized during institutions, the home, the school There are t wen t y – f 0 u r the last six months, and twenty and the Church. branches, ninety – six centers, others have expressed their desixty ministers and a great army sire to publicly confess Christ as -Moo.dy Institute Mo.nthly. of deaconesses, doctors, nurses, their Saviour, in baptism. Indispensers and voluntary work- quirers are seeking salvation at WSSA Reviews the Year ers comprised within the Lon- nearly every evangelistic meetdon Mission of the Methodist ing-at one recent gathering ten The World's Sunday School Church. The work is the same responded to the Gospel invita- Association reports that during in the poorest mission and the tion. A Russian Jewess was 1935 some very significant finest suburban church. The re- baptized; also a Moslem. Over achievements w ere mad e in cently erected Central Hall cost one-third of these believers be- Christian education around the £68,000, and will be dedicated long to the intellectual classes of world. No greater opportunity free of debt. Shop rents will former Russia. Others are for the promotion of the evansupply an annual income of farmers, workers and artisans. gelical faith is to be found in £1,000. This church expects to This movement sends literature Europe than the wide open door do three main things: (1) to into more than thirty countries. in Spain. Appointment of a win outsiders to worship; (2) full-time Sunday school missionto secure the conversion of the -The Life o.f Faith. people; (3) to build the Church ary py the WSSA is one of the of Christ. -The Christian. MISCELLANEOUS progressive steps taken during German Church Situation Youth Problems the year.
Present indications are that Rev. T. D. Abels, of Ports- In no other church in the Near the German Church situation is mouth, Ohio, while instructor in East can one find today better about to return to much the same a Bible Institute, made a survey organized Sunday schools or status as that in which Hitler of youth problems to determine more thoroughly trained teachfound it, without much active the conditions that must be met ers than in the Church of Argovernment control and without by young people who are trying menia. any religious interference with to live the Christian life. The governmental policies. A new following were submitted by a In Egypt, Sheikh Mitry S. organization has been formed, class composed of those engaged Dewairy has continued his reknown as the "Council of the in the Christian education of markable street Sunday schools, Lutheran Church in Germany. young people: as well as other agencies for Three bishops are in complete Christian teaching. control of funds and administra- 1. Absence of Christian home traintion in their respective dioceses, Prayer of the Race that God and the other three members of ing. Made Black the Council are men of considerable importance in church af~ 2. Absence of the family altar. By LUCIAN B. WALKINS, fairs. The new organization, a Virginia Negro while definitely independent of 3. Wrong companions. the government, represents in We would be peaceful, Father – but its personnel a compromise be~ 4. Parents not concerned about when we must, tween the implacable policies of the Confessional Synod, which child's morals. Help us to thunder hard the blow is now largely controlled by the that's just. "left wing," represented by the 5. Too much leisure time. Rev. Martin Niem6ller, and the We would be manly, proving well our submission originally demanded 6. Preachers not scripturally sound. worth, by the Hitler government. 7. Inefficient Sunday schools. Then would not cringe to any god on The government attitude to- earth. ward religion in general is re- 8. Passing of Bible from public vealed in their crusade against We would be loving and forgiving, schools. thus 9. Changing social conditions. To love our neighbor as Thou lovest us. 10. Irresponsibility of the Church. We would be faithful, loyal to the 11. Dangerous social conditions un- Right, recognized by many. Ne'er doubting that the day will fol- low night. 12. Unchristian teaching in high We would be all that Thou hast meant schools and colleges. , for man, 13. Youth given too much liberty. Up through the ages, since the world began. 14. Youth do not see "separated life" God, save us in Thy Heaven, where lived before them. all is well!
15. Unchristian attitude of parents. We come, slow-struggling, up the hills of Hell. 16. Lack of Christian education and training in former generation.
17. Popular worldly amusements.
18. Lack of good home influence when away from home. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ,~ WHITHER BLACK may be understood. Like Dr. the life of this distinguished AMERICA? Woodson's work, it is honest and American of African descent. without either fulsome praise or Not only was Allen a great and A shelf full of books by Negro captious criticism. wise leader in his race, but he authors and others, dealing with was a distinguished man re- Negro life with emphasis upon Divine White Right. By Trevor gardless of race. Never ashamed the American Negro. Bowen and Ira Reid. 309 pp. $1.75. of his own, he compelled reluc- Institute of Social and Religious tant admission of his worth and By REV. WILLIAM LLOYD IMES, Research. New York. 1935. leadership from the churchmen of his day who felt that Negro Minister of St. James Presby- This obviously ironical title life should be wholly adminis- terian Church, New York City comes with good grace from the tered within the church by coauthor whose account takes up others than his own racial lead- The Negro and the Church the first two-thirds of this ers. The story of Allen and worth-while book. He himself others kneeling in old St. The History of the Negro Clturch. belongs to a nation that has George's, Philadelphia, has been By Carter G. Woodson. 330 pp. learned to criticize itself rather often told, but never with $2.65. Associated Publishers. Wash- severely, both on general prob- greater skill nor with better un- ington, D. C. 2d edition. 1929. lems of human welfare, and on derstanding of the ecclesiastical race prob~ems. Mr. Bowen is trends of' that day, respecting To anyone who does not know interested in a study of race dis- the color problem. The diary of of the wonderfully helpful serv- crimination in religious institu- Bishop Asbury is an excellent ice to America by Dr. Woodson's tions, and he does it without source, and Professor Wesley persistent and careful research sparing the high places into uses its first-hand material with into Negro life, this pioneer which such discrimination has skill. Richard Allen is seen not work in a field notably neglected gone. Dr. Ira Reid, well known only as a church official, but as a will come as a rare treat. Highly for his research work with the man and humanitarian, as for and sensitively descriptive, it National Urban League, and instance, in his extraordinary also interprets the beginnings now head of the Department of usefulness in the yellow fever and development of Neg r 0 Social Sciences in Atlanta Uni- epidemic in Philadelphia of the church organizational life in re- versity, supplies the definitive early nineteenth century, and ligious matters. The first work study in the final third of the also in his pioneer work in the of its kind since W. E. B. Du- book, and does it with charac- Free African Society. Bois' Atlanta University study, teristic care and insight. The "The Negro Church" (mono- authors have approached this From the Farm to the Bishopric. An graph), early in the present cen- question with clear-eyed cour- Autobiography by Charles Henry tury. age, and if this be the swan- Phillips. 308 pp. Parthenon Press. song of the Institute publica- The Negro's Church. By Mays and tions, it is a worthy note indeed. . Nashville, Tenn. 1932. Nicho'son. 321 pp. $2.00. Institute of Social and Religious Research. Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom. As an illustration of the kind New York. 1934. By Charles H. Wesley. Associated of material which will be in- Publishers. Washington, D. C. creasingly valuable to throw A great deal of material that 1935. light on the Negro Church in would naturally be expected to coming generations, this acfollow the first pioneering. Here is the kind of brief biog- count of Bishop Phillips' life and These young scholars have done raphy which is not the less yal- work in the Colored Methodist both descriptive and definitive uable because it is a "he who Episcopal Church is noteworthy. work of a careful sort. What runs may read" type. Its brev- It is only by the gathering of they desire to give is both the ity is not an indication of lack many instances of notable lives raison d'etre for the Negro of thorough acquaintance with of religious officials and leaders Church as an institution, and sources, but the scantiness of like this that a complete picture then to tell its story and analyze adequate authentic sources for will some day be possible. its life so that its work and place in contempomry America Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RIWIF,W publishers on receipt of price.
[332 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Religious Instruction of the Negro. The fact that the Chicago Riot America usually tries the plan of (1830 to 1860, with special refer- some time before had left citi- having the non-Negro popula- ence to South Carolina.) By Lu- zens there and elsewhere de- tion do the Negro's, thinking for ther P. Jackson. Monograph in Vol. sirous of knowing the social con- him. This book ought to help, XV of Journal of Negro History, dition of the family life among if we have a sense of humor left pp. 72 to 114. those most seriously handi- after the strain of interracial capped, will give the lead toward misunderstanding and strife. Excellent for giving the back- understanding this book. It is ground of pre-Civil War condi- interesting to note also that very The Rural Negro. By Carter G. tion of Negro life in respect to recently, 1935-36, Dr. Frazier Woodson. 304 pp. $2.50. Assoreligion. While dealing particu- has been appointed to collate ciated Publishers. larly with the South, yet gives and analyze the findings of the valuable light on neglected sub- Mayor's Commission on Condi- The records of the U. S. Buject. tions in Harlem, following the reau of the Census were used outbreak of a riot in New York's carefully, in addition to personal The Negro in American Life Harlem area. This latter ma- visits of the author to many terial, it is hoped, will be pub- rural communities, particularly The Negro Citizen of West Virginia. lished if the public will demand in the South, where the largest By Thomas E. Posey. 119 pp. it, as it should. single unit in the rural popula- $1.00. The Press of West Virginia tion is overwhelmingly Negro. State CoI:ege. 1935. Black Manhattan. By James Weldon Johnson. 284 pp. $2.50. Alfred A. The Negro Wage Earner. By Loren- Interesting as a typical study Knopf. New York, 1930. zo J. Greene. 350 pp. $3.25. Asof sectional matters dealing with sociated PublisherS'. race. A fine descriptive narrative, telling the story of the Negro in This is valuable because of the The Negro in South CaroEna During the heart of New York City with need for knowing in what occu- the Reconstruction. By A. A. Tay- appreciation of what his life has pations the majority of our lor. 341 pp. Association for the meant to the metropolis of Negro citizens may be found, Study of Negro Life and History. America. Many facts about the and the conditions of their work. Washington, D. C. 1924. artistic life of the Negro in New Questions of skilled and un- York are not to be found else- skilled labor bulk large, with em- An able account by a painstak- where. phasis upon domestic service ing scholar and investigator; and agriculture as the two throwing real light on the sub- The Negro in Our History. By Car- largest fields numerically. ject, as opposed to many current ter Godwin Woodson. (Sixth ediaccounts showing the Recon- tion.) 700 pp. $4.25. Associated The Negro Professional Man and struction Negro in false light. Publishers. the Community. By Carter G. (See also note on DuBois' "Black Woodson. 365 pp. $3.00. Associa- Reconstruction." ) Any reference to Dr. Wood- tion for Study of Negro Life and son's eminent position in the History. Washington, D. C. 1934. Free Negroes and Slaves in Tennes- field of Negro history is unnec- see. By Wm. Lloyd Imes. Mono- essary to well-informed people. One need not wonder about graph in Journal of Negro History, It is enough to say that this the value of any such inquiry. Vol. IV, pp. 254 to 272. book, despite the voluminous The author's name is guarantee output from his tireless pen, is of honest and careful effort to The author traced source ma- in a real sense his Magnum ,opus, present the major facts availterial regarding little-publicized and those of us who know him able now, at least in outline. matters of value regarding ra- feel that he would like to be cial history, legal status, and so- known by it for its honest effort The United States and the Caribbean cial development in the middle to get at the difficult but reward- Area. By Dana G. Munro. 322 pp. South. ing task of interpreting Negro WorId Peace Foundation. Boston. life in terms of its integral part 1934. A Century of Negro Migration. By in American development. A Carter G. Woodson. Associated reference work of high value, If any reason is needed for the Publishers. Washington, D. C. and a study text of dependa- introduction of a book on this bility. theme into this review, it will The Negro Migration During the be amply known when one con- World War. By Emmett J. Scott. Social Status of the Negro siders that one of the areas touched by this author is Haiti, The Negro Migration of 1916-1918. What the Negro Thinks. By Robert the Black Republic so near our By H. H. Donald. Russa Moton. 267 pp. XII. $2.50. own, and which has been treated Doubleday Doran. New York. 1929. with none too gracious neigh- The Negro Peasant Turns Cityward. borliness by both our govern- By Louise V. Kennedy. 270 pp. One of the most important ment and our business interests. $4.25. Columbia University Press. statements of the Negro himself Professor Munro does not have New York. 1930. which has been made since the to strive to establish this thesis famous declaration of Booker T. as a part of his book. It is a These are grouped together Washington at Atlanta in 1895. part of the whole melancholy because they form a whole picture of one of the eventful social trends both of the 19th century and the 20th in the United States.
The Negro Family in Chicago. By E. Franklin Frazier. 294 pp. $3.00. University of Chicago Press. 1932.
A sociological study, taking a great city as a field of study.
record of our attitude toward the race problem. Here one of The Evolution of the Negro College. weaker peoples and races, and the ablest of them tells the story By Dwight O. W. Holmes. 221 pp. the facts speak more loudly than forcefully. Bureau of Publications, Teachers' the professor's words. CoJege. New York. 1934. The Trend of the Races. By George Negroes in the United States, 1920- E. Haynes. Missionary Education It is inevitable that doctors' 1932. By Charles E. Ha:l and Movement. New York. 1922. theses should reflect the current Charles W. White. (Compiled from modes of thought, and so, since statistics in the Bureau of the Cen- Dr. Haynes, by his long and racially separate education has sus, U. S.) 845 pp. $2.25. U. S. earnest work in the Federal been in the ascendency in Amer- Government Printing Office, 1935. Council's Department of Race ican life whether we like it or Relations, has wo~ the right to not we must deal with it. Dr. To anyone who knows the be heard on what IS known pop- Hoimes does this in first-rate former volume, "Negro Popula- ularly as the "interracial move- fashion. And, since we have the tion in the U. S., 1790-1915," ment," in overcoming race an- rather regrettable necessity for this added work will have new tagonisms. As one of ~~e able~t separate institutions because of significance, and this statistical of the conservative CrItIcs, thIS deep-seated prejudices, may we record in handy form is a neces- book (still a helpful reference not take the good things of this sity to anyone who would know book as a record of the early treatise, and look toward the day the social measurements of post-War situation in American of larger things? Negro life in recent years. race matters) will place him and the viewpoint he represents, The Racial Myth. By Paul Radin. Black Reconstruction. By W. E. B. fairly and fully, as protagonist 141 pp. $1.50. McGraw-Hill Co. DuBois. 1935. for cooperation. New York. 1934.
One does not know whether to Blind Spots: Experiments in the This anthropologist's work call this Dr. DuBois' greatest Self-cure of Race Prejudice. By needs no praise nor apology. It work or not. In a sense it is, Henry Smith Leipe!. $1.00 cloth. speaks for itself. With no less for it treats of a racial matter MIssionary EducatIOn Movement. acumen than Boas of Columbia a that has been the subject of the 1929. generation ago, this younger Negro's misrepresentation for scholar throws down the gauntmany years. Historians in mapy This may be regarded as a let before a world that seems large universi,ties have vied wIth companion book to ~r. Haynes' bent on Nazism, Fascism and each other in telling the Negro's tthreeatsisie~ilaarndatatistudwer,Ittweinthfreomm- all other varieties of misguided ineptitudes, veniality, decadence, phasis upon self-critic~sm; hen~e Nationalism, all exhibiting raetc., etc., ad nauseam, until it the subtitle, "ExperIments III cial animosities of various sorts. was high time some able social the self-cure of race prejudice." It is good to have a clear and critic like Dr. DuBois should unafraid voice from honest take the matter in hand, with Negro Education seientific labors. Dr. Radin held documentation, and all, and the research chair of Anthromake them eat their words. The Negro Education: A Study of the pology at Fisk University, a Reconstruction Negro neither Private and Higher Schools for Col- Negro institution, for several wants to be lauded to high heav- ored People in the U. S. By The years. He is now professor in en, nor damned to the lowest Phelps-Stokes Fund, Thomas Jesse the University of California. hell. He was just a human be- Jones, director of the study. 2 Vols. ing, like any other in. a similar Published by the Dept. ?f the In- Negro Biography situation. That he dId as well terior, Bureau of Educatlon. 1917. as he did in the most trying time Life and Times of Frederick Dougin 19th century America, is the Valuable for information as lass. finest tribute to him that could to variety, extent and standards be given. of Negro schools up to the early An autobiography by a leader period of the World War. Later of outstanding genius of the Social Attitudes. A Symposium ed- publications have supplemented Abolition and Reconstruction ited by Kimball Young. 383 pp. this. Here, as in other Gove.rn- eras. XII. Holt. New York. 1933. mental publications, is the Im- mense advantage of having ade- Up from Slavery. By Booker T. Helpful for its two chapters quate statistical material at Washington. by Herbert A. Miller and Ed- hand. Dr. Jones, a pronounced ward B. Reuter (Chapters 13 "right wing" adherent, has given Easily the most significant biand 14 respectively) which deal an objective study. The mono- ography of any Negro since with the relation of culture to graph by George S. D!ckerman Frederick Douglass' account of race, and the application of this in Vol. 1, pp. 244-295, IS ~f ~eal his life and times. discussion to Negro life. interest and has a good bIblIog- raphy of the source material: Letters of Theodore Dwight Weld, Black America. By Scott Nearing. Angelina Grimke Weld, and Sarah 275 pp. $3.00 Vanguard Press. Land-Grant Colleges for Negroes. Grimke. Edited by Gilbert H. New York. 1929. By John W. Davis. 73 pp. :West Barnes and Dwight L. Dumond. 2 Virginia State College Instltute. Vols. Vol. 1, pp. xxxvii, 510. Vol. The left wing (radical) critics 1934. 2 pp. x, 512. American Historical of the social scene in America Assn. D. Appleton Century' Co. must have their hearing, and not A description of this interest- New York. 1934. the least of their message is on ing field, from the Morrill Act of 1862 to the present. An interesting the 0 r y is evolved from these letters and
related anti-slavery documents, Negro Musicians and Their Music. that Negro life i,'3 neither all to the effect that it was the By Maud Cuney Hare. 433 pp. comedy nor tragedy, but it has American churches and allied $3.25. Associated Publishers. 1936. its human oneness with all other forces that made the abolition of life. Miss Fauset has written slavery inevitable. Also these There is only one regret in this some half-dozen or so novels, letters have value from their as- work, that its gifted author and is the most prolific writer sociation with the f a m 0 u s passed from. this world of haunt- in this field since Charles W. Grimke sisters, women of great ing beauty and sorrowful loveli- Chestnut's tales of the 19th cenability and devotion to humani- ness before it came from press. tury Negro life appeared, in retarian crusading against slavery She did read the first proof on construction and postreconand its .attendant evils. The ro- her deathbed. She "being dead struction days. mance of their lives is only ex- yet speaketh" in this great labor ceeded by the distinction of their of love. Those of us who knew Unfinished Cathedral. By T. S. Stribfamous nephews, Archibald and her can but rejoice that she was ling. 350 pp. $2.50. Doubleday Francis Grimke, whose lives spared to give us this great leg- Doran. Garden City, L. I. 1934. have .been among the very few acy. distinguished statesmen and While dealing with different clergymen who have wielded un- Plays and Pageants from the Life of material, this non-Negro author told influence for the defence the Negro. By Willis Richardson. tells of his own South's terrible and development of Neg r 0 Illustrated by J. L. Wells. 373 pp. inj ustice to the Negro with a rights and advancement. x. $3.15. Associated Publishers. horrible and fascinating attrac- 1930. tion that will amaze one. It is Along This Way. By James Weldon a long mile from the usual type Johnson. 330 pp. $3.50. Viking Taken with other books of of condescension, contempt, and Press. New York. 1933. similar purport like "Plays of determined tragedy of most non- Negro Life," by Locke and Greg- Negro authors. Interestingly written, giving ory, and the Drama section of the account of a distinguished Calverton's "Anthology 0 f Readings from Negro Authors for man in the fields of literature, American Negro Literature," Schools and Colleges. By Otelia law, consular service, Negro this fills a real place of help to- Cromwell, Lorenzo D. Turner, and rights, art, social criticism. Dr. ward understanding the dra- Eva B. Dykes. 388 pp. $1.50. Har- Johnson is now professor of matic art as an exponent of Ne- court, Brace. New York. 1931. Creative Literature at Fisk Uni- gro life. versity. This is probably the best all Anti-Slavery Sentiment in American around anthology of Negro lit- Booker T. Washington: Builder of Literature Prior to 1865. By Lor- erature yet published. It is care- a Civilization. By Emmett J. Scott enzo D. Turner. 150 pp. $2.15. fully edited, as those who know and Lyman Beecher Stowe. 331 pp. Associated Publishers. this trio of well-trained scholars Doubleday Doran. Garden City, would expect. While Calverton's L. I. 1916. From Cotton Mather and J on- popular-sized and priced anthol- athan Edwards to Emerson and ogy (Modern Library) is useful, The name of the educator of Lowell, Dr. Turner traces the and there are some others, espe- Tuskegee never fails to evoke thread of anti-slavery thought. cially of Negro poetry, yet none the memory of a man of real It is fascinating and rewarding. have given the description, balgenius, and perhaps no two men ance and charm of Negro litin America were better fitted to The Negro Author. By Vernon Log- erary expression as these auwrite of his character and gins. 480 pD. $5.00. Columbia thors have done. No American achievements than one who was University Press. New York. 1931. student, regardless of race, his secretary for years, and an- should be ignorant of its conother who is a descendent of a If you would know the heart tents. famous abolition family. of the man or woman who puts life into documentary form for For Children and Youth Negro Life in the Arts present and succeeding genera- tions, here is the revelation of In Spite of Handicaps. By Ralph W. Afro-American Folk Songs. By Hen- that inner life, as far as the Ne- Bullock. $2.00. Association Press. ry E. Krehbiel. G. Schirmer. New gro is concerned. A most use- New York. 1927. York. ful and valuable guide in this field. These excellent short bio- No one who knew the incisive graphical sketches, with quescriticisms of Krehbiel in the Comedy: American Style. By Jessie tions for discussion following New York Tribune of a genera- Fauset. Stokes. New York. 1934. each chapter, will make young tion ago could slight this book. people think, as well as enter- His acknowledgment of his debt Miss Fauset is the most com- tain them. to great musicians like Harry T. petent novelist of African des- Burleigh, Lafcadio Hearn, Maud cent today who is not afraid to The Picture Poetry Book. By Ger- Cuney Hare,· and others, is at go against the current of tradi- trude Parthenia Brown. 73 pp. once the mark of sincere scholar- tion that only lowly peasant life $1.10. The Associated Publishers. ship and genius. It is still the or slum life of the city may be 1936. authentic work of a master- pictured in novels of Negro life. critic; No maudlin sentiment. It is refreshing to get away Here is an unusual effort, and Solid learning. from the Peterkin-Bradford- a good one, to gain the interest Hayward school of thought of very little children, and to about Negro life, and to know
give them right ideas about Ne- the North, Problems of Admin- rather than critical. Billy Sun- gro life. It deserves attention istration and Guidance, the So- day preached the Gospel and of right-thinking mothers and cial Setting and Educational though at times his pulpit antics teachers of little children. Planning. somewhat disturbed critical We Sing America. By Marion Cuth- There is a very full bibliog- members of his audience, the bert. Missionary Education Move- "common people heard him ment. New York. 1936. raphy on the education and life gladly." Men and women of all of the Negro. This Mission Study book, for classes "hit the sawdust trail" 1936:"37, comes from a well-ma- From Fetish to Faith. By W. J. as evidence that they had de- Platt. Paper. 12mo. 28. The cided to begin a new, born-again tured mind that can present Livingstone Press. London. 1935. life. The book will repay readstory material and history of Fifty years ago .Africa was ing and circulating. racial life so that children of the almost wholly pagan and primielementary grades will love it. tive, except in the extreme north Facing Facts. A Century with the More power to such authors! Sioux. By F. R. Riggs and other and south. Fetishism was the Reports of the American Mission- African Myths. By Carter G. Wood- prevailing religion, with Islam ary Association. New York. 1935. son. $1.10. The Associated Pub- and Christianity striving for lishers. Washington, D. C. 1936. supremacy in some sections. The century of work among the Indians of North Dakota, A splendid collection of lEsop- Mr. Platt, who went out to West made famous by the story of like fables and folk-stories that Africa as a missionary in 1914, "Mary and I," is an inspiring have been put in attractive form record. The author of this acfor children of the English- took active part in the struggle count is a third generation Riggs speaking world. They add much for eighteen years. Today who recalls 60 years of service to our help with material for fetishism is dying; what will among the Sioux. We have children's education. here also the story of the work rise from its ashes? The author of Dr. Charles L. Hall, founder ON OTHER TOPICS sees the conflict to be between of the mission to the Arickara Christianity and materialism. and other Indians, and other in- Education of the Negro in the Amer- He writes impressively of the teresting records of the work of ican Social Order. Horace Mann the A. M. A. for the past year. Bond. 500 pp. Prentice-Hall, Inc. present crisis in Africa and New York. 1934. shows how the missionaries are By Ways Appointed. By Briggs P. seeking to meet it by laying Dingman. 12mo. 127 pp. 75 The book is divided into three cents; paper, 20 cents. Bible In- Christian foundations and build- ing up churches. There are na- tive prophetic movements in West Africa but the only hope sections – History, Economics of the Africans is in yielding stitute Colportage Assn. Chicago. and Finance, Current Problems. fully to the claims of Christ. 1935. Under History the early efforts Mr. Platt writes clearly and A wholesome story of a for educating the Negro are pre- from experience, with a knowl- young man, discharged from the sented, and the awakening of edge of facts-not from a nar- army after the World War, who private conscience. Here are row denominational point of entered college to prepare for described the work of Tuskegee view. the Christian ministry – with- and the various educational Billy Sunday: The Man and His out much idea of its real sig- Message. By William T. Ellis. nificance. His love story, with foundations and funds estab- intellectual difficulties, spiritual lished for the education of the Illus. 8vo. 519 pp. $1.50. John experience, and final victory and Negro. Many tables give the C. Winston Co., Philadelphia. 1936. service are easy but stimulating rate of expenditure for white Billy Sunday's fame as a base- reading for young people. children and Negro children in ball player and dramatic Gospel the same localities; also a com- revivalist is world-wide. Opin- Anthea's Ambition. By Beth J. parison of white teachers' sal- Coombe Harris. 12mo. 188 pp. aries and those where Negroes ions as to his methods differ but 18. 6d. teach. he reached immense crowds and thousands of lives were trans- Gwyneth at Work. By Margaret P. Section II deals with Migra- formed through his ministry. Neill. 12mo. 320 pp. 28. 6d.
tion, Industrialization and Ur- Here is the authorized biog- Pickering and Inglis. Glasgow. banization of the Negro; the raphy by a skilled observer and These wholesome stories for Economic Background of Edu- writer who knew the man and boys and girls are not marked cation in the South and the Fi- saw his work at close range. by literary merit but are a vast nancing of Separate Systems of The volume includes Billy Sun- improvement on much modern Education. day's autobiography, many of juvenile fiction. The first is a Section III deals with current his most effective messages, a missionary book in which true problems-the Teacher, the For- chapter by Mrs. Sunday and a stories are interwoven. The gotten Child, Cap a cit y for tribute by Rodeheaver, the sing- second volume tells of the ex- Learning, the Achievement of ing evangelist. Dr. Ellis has perience and struggles of some Negro Children, Higher Educa- given us a vivid, discriminating young girls in Christian life and tion for Negroes, Education in picture of the man, sympathetic work in England.
Books Obituary
(Concluded from page 278.) The Apostle to the Chinese Commu- . a Christian engineer in a Moslem nists. Daniel Nelson. $1~00. 139 pp. Augsburg Pub. House. Min- land devoted to the cause of missions neapolis. for 25 years. … … With the use Arthington's Millions. A. M. Chirgwin. 2s. Livingstone Press. Lon- R. A. Doan, of Westerville, Ohio, 01 this Course. every don. died on March 18th. About 20 years Young People's Society may ago he began his service to the Chris- Carey. S. Pearce Carey. 129 pp. 40 tian Missionary Society, Disciples or- be converted into a School for ganization, as laymen's secretary, Bible Training. without salary. He continued this cents. Marshall, Morgan & Scott. service for many years, and was also 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE London. . a leader in Bible class work in Nel- sonville, his home town. Mr. Doan GFooudroPf athretsB-5ib2le.LePssaortnns. Part I. The Bible-The A Comradeship of Service. Report was a stockholder in the Missionary The Christ 01 the Bible Review Publishing Company. of Friends Service Council-1935. -TheHoIySpiril PartmMan-SinandRedempo … … … Friends Service Council. London. lion. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. Dr. John Henry House, missionary Christ in the Great Forest. Felix of the American Board and founder Send ISc in stamps lor current issue. Faure. 180 pp. $1.00. Missionary Education Movement. New York. HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INC: Consider Africa. Basil Mathews. 1502 N. Third St., Herrlaburs, Pe.
180 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, of the American Farm School at Sa- whom, Charles L. House, succeeded paper. Friendship ·Press. New loniki, Macedonia, died there on April his father as head of the Farm York. 19th at 90 years of age. Dr. House School in 1910. Dr. House has been was born in Painesville, Ohio, the son decorated with the Grecian Gold Christian Materialism. Francis J. of John and Jane House, was grad- Cross of the Cavalier and on his 90th McConnell. 167 pp. $1.25, cloth;' uated in 1868 from Adelbert COllege, birthday, May 29, 1935, received nine 60 cents, paper. Friendship Press. now Western Reserve University, ana bound volumes of greeting cards, each New York. later from Union Theological Sem- containing 90 greetings from friends The Epistle of the Eternal Life. inary, New York. In 1872, he went George Goodman. 64 pp. 6d. as a Congregational missionary to . in all parts of the world. Five thou- Pickering & Inglis. London. Bulgaria and endeavored to hel~ the Five Foreigners in Japan. Herbert poverty-stricken people by glving sand dollars was also presented to the H. Gowen. 285 pp. $2.00. Uni- them a scientific knowledge of agriversity of Washington. Seattle. School at that t…ime in… his name. culture. It was not until 1873 tnat . Bishop McKim. of the Protestant The Great Company. Report of the he was able to secure a tract of de!Sert Episcopal Church, and until last year National Bible Society of Scotland. land near Saloniki and opened the BIShop of North Tokyo, Japan, died 200 pp. Edinburgh. Thessalonica Agricultural and Indus- on April 4th in Honolulu. He was trial Institute, now· known as the born in Pittsfield, Mass., July 17, Hearts That Understand. .Louise American Farm SchooL Dr. and ¥rli. 1852, and went to Japan in March, Harrison McGraw. 292 pp. $1.00. House have spent 64 .years in the 1880. In 1893, he was consecratea B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. Balkan States, first at Samokov, J)u1- bishop for the Japanese district and garia, later at Constantinople, .nd has hved an eventful life, seeing the Heaven. All That Is Revealed About finally at SalonikL His widow and It. Hy Pickering. lB. 128 pp. seven children survive him, one' of • • young Japanese Church develop. Pickering & Inglis. London. If you use • Kagawa in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Edited by Helen Top- The ;Rev. Fruier S. Herndon, for ping. 184 pp. Kobe, Japan. many years an honored missionary of the Presbp;eri,n Church to the Mystery at St. Olaves. Winifred American Indians, died April 6, 1936, Pearce. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Herndon's Inglis. London. field of labor was not an easy one. Traveling with team and wagon, he Moral and Material Progress and PRINTING and his devoted wife went from vil- Condition of India. S. F. Stewart. lage to village among the Papagos in 196 pp. 3s. 6d. H. M. Stationery the heat of summer and the cold of Office. London. winter, bearing to those neglected peo- A New Day in Kenya. Horace R. A. YOU will profit from an ae- ple the Gospel message. He won the Philp. > 188 pp. 3s. 6d. World Do- confidence and esteem of thousands of minion Press. London. . .. ' quaintanceship with us. We the 'Indians, and many accepted do the joh complete in our own Christ as their Saviour. The Plight of the Share-Cropper. plant, whether it he larle or Norman Thomas. 36 pp. 10 cents. small. THREE KINDS. o.F GIVERS L. I. D. New York. There are three kinds of givers- While our specialty is Booles. ''the flint, the sponge and the honey- Revolt Among the Share-Croppers. Magatine.s and Pamphlets. yet comb." Howard Kester. 98 pp. 50 cents. we have a variety of modern To get anything out of a flint you Covici Friede. New York. equipment to meet all the re- have to hammer it, and you can only qUirements of your particular . get chips and sparks. Recapturing the Missionary Passion. job. You will find our service To get water out of a sponge you Stephen J. Corey. 20 pp. United prompt. careful and courteous. Christian Missionary Society. In- dianapolis.
Safe Through the Blood of Jesus. must squeeze it, and the more you William Reid. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. : Will you allow us to estimate squeeze the more you get. on your next printing 1 We he. But the honeycomb just overflows The Shrine of a P~ople's Soul. Ed- lieve you will be delighted with 'lin W. Smith.' 208 pp; 2s. 3d.' with its own sweetness. Edinburgh House Press. London. our product. price and service. .' Some', people are stingy and hard. They give nothing away if they can help it. What Happened to Peter. Grace The EVANGELICAL PRESS Others are good-natured; they yield &PeIttnmglains.. L1o7n6dopnp.. .2.s:. P.ic.. k….er..i.ng .. . Pri"tn. of. , . t!LPlllIlSUl'e, and. the. more they are Students and the Christian World The MiI.iOtla,., Review of eM W ….1d pressed the more they will JP.ve.
Mission. Edited by Jesse R. Wil- A few delight in giving WIthout be- ing asked at all; and of these the son. 233 pp. $2.00. Student Vol- PlANT AND MAIN OFFICE third end R.n, Str••ts Henl. ." 'e. unteer Movement. New York. Bible says" "The Lord loveth a cheer- ful giver."-Wesleyan Methodist.
and Reality in
Viewed by Africans and Missionaries ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS, CHARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS UNOCCUPIED FIELDS IN AFRICA By ALEXANDER McLEISH THE AFRICAN'S VIEW OF AFRICA By VARIOUS AUTHORS-PREPARED BY J. D. TAYLOR AFRICAN LIFE AND THOUGHT By DIEDRICH WESTERMANN GREAT HINDRANCES TO CHRISTIAN PROGRESS By C. S. JENKINS VICTORIES OF THE GOSPEL AMONG AFRICANS By THOMAS MOODY AND OTHERS AFRICAN VIEWS OF JESUS CHRIST By THE BISHOP OF UGANDA POLITICS AND MISSIONS IN AFRICA By CHARLES T. LORAM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AFRICA By KENNETH G. GRUBB THE CROSS AND THE CRESCENT IN AFRICA By J. J. COOKSEY ===== SEND YOUR ORDER NOW ===== 25 Cents a Copy $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year Special Price in Quantities if ordered hefore Septemher 10 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
Robert E. Speer, PreJident Delavan L. Pierson, EditOI'
The Missionary Review of the World — May 1936
1936
A Visit to the Atlas Berbers James Haldane D. L. Moody-..-Ambassador of Christ John McDowell The Next Step in Foreign Missions Paul B. Kern Missionary Views on Simpler Living Muriel Lester Preaching Liberty to Captives in Portugal E. R. Holden Pioneering in Tennessee Mountains AnnaBelle Stewart Whitman-Spalding Centenary Arthur H. Limouze 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
MANAGEMENT inary Foundation, Hartford, Connec-
AND ticut, died on March 29th in South Mrica where he was visiting the Record of Christian Work home of his boyhood. Dr. MacKenzie was born in Orange River Colony, Edited by WILLIAM H. LEACH South Africa, seventy-six years ago, the son of John M. and Ellen Mac- A monthly journal devoted to church administration and pastoral meth- Kenzie, missionaries of the Presbyods. Every phase of church life discussed in a positive, constructive way. terian Church of Scotland. After re- ceiving most of his higher education Worship Pastoring in Scotland he was ordained a min- Music Prayer Meeting ister of the Congregational Church Preaching Unified Service in 1882, and three years later became Money Publicity professor of Systematic Theology in Missions Devotional the Chicago Theological Seminary. Education Public Relations In 1904 he was called to be president of Hartford Seminary and was pro- Subscription price, $2.50 per year. Special Trial Subscription, fessor of Systematic Theology until six months, $1.00. Sample copy free upon request. he retired in 1930. Among the many books of which he is the author are CHURCH MANAGEMENT "South Africa, Its History, Heroes and Wars," "Christianity and the Auditorium Building Cleveland, Ohio Progress of Man," "Christ and the Christian Faith." His wife, Alice Dates to Remember Obituary Notes Crother of Carlisle, England, died in 1926. Dr. MacKenzie was very highly May I-General Conference, Meth- Dr. Charles E. Vail, since 1907 a respected and greatly beloved by odist Episcopal Church, Columbus, missionary of Presbyterian Board of Christian leaders in many lands. Ohio. Foreign Missions in Miraj, India, died there of cancer on March 21st. Dr. *** May 6-20-General Conference, Afri- Vail was born in Cornwall, New can Methodist Episcopal Z ion York, fifty-five years ago. Mter at- John C. Harris, who died in Eng- Church, Greensboro, N. C. tending Princeton University and re- land early last March, was a preacher ceiving his medical degree from the of rare gifts who wrote two "best May 6-21-General Conference, Mri- College of Physicians and Surgeons, sellers"-"The Life of Khama" and can Methodist Episcopal Church, New York, he sailed for India and at "Couriers of Christ." As an organ- New York. the time of his death was head of the izer and administrator he drew to the famous Miraj Hospital founded by Congregational Church many gifted May 12-1S-National Council of Fed- Sir William Wanless. His fame men. erated Church Women. Dayton, spread throughout India and ten Ohio. years ago he was decorated by the Rev. Len G*. B*rou*ghton, interna- late King George V of England for May 20-24-Northern Baptist Con- medical service. He is survived by tionally known Baptist minister, died vention. St. Louis, Mo. his widow, Elizabeth Crane Vail and February 22 at his home in Atlanta, by two daughters. Ga., at the age of 72. In the 1890's May 22-24-National Federation of Dr. Broughton founded the Atlanta Men's Bible Classes. Kansas City, *** Tabernacle and ministered there for Mo. 22 years. He later held pastorates William Douglas MacKenzie, D.D., in Tennessee and in Florida. In re- May 24-29-Church Conference of So- president emeritus of Hartford Sem- cent years Dr. Broughton was en- cial Work. Atlantic City, N. J. gaged in speaking at Bible confer- Are YOU ences and evangelistic meetings. May 27-General Assembly, United Presbyterian Church of North This Person? *** America. Pittsburg, Kansas. Christian man (or woman); age, Dr. Charles B. Tenny. outstanding May 28-General Assembly, Presby- 18-60(say); living in city or town; leader of the Baptist Mission in terian Church in U. S. A. Syra- free all or part of day; good Japan, died in Rochester, N. Y., Jan- cuse, N. Y. health; missionary in spirit; eager uary 11. He was 65 years of age and to promote the Gospel in own or began his work in Japan in 1900. As June 4-9-General Synod of the Re- nearby community; needing fair teacher and principal of the Baptist formed Church in A mer i c a. financial remuneration. Theological Seminary and later as Rochester, N. Y. founder and principal of Mabie Me- If So, We Need morial School for men in Yokohama, June 10-17 – Ann u a 1 Conference, he served with marked efficiency. Church of the Brethren. Hershey, YOU I Pa. *** Ask (without obligation) for par- June 16-24-General Council of Con- Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Charles John, gregational and Christian Churches. ticulars about "colportage" work. Assistant Bishop on the Niger since Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Please mention this paper. 1932, died recently at 64 years of age. Mass. He was the sixth Mrican to be raised BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE to the episcopate. He belonged to the June 23-28-Christian Youth Council ASSOCIATION Hausa race, and was a grandson of of North America. Lakeside, Ohio. slaves. Mter holding various pas- 839 N. Wells St. Chicago, III. toraland educational posts, he became June 27 – July 4 – Geneva Summer principal of the C. M. S. grammar School for Missions. Lake Geneva, school at Freetown, Sierra Leone, Wisconsin. where he had been successively pupil, teacher and vice-principal. July 6-12-Twelfth World's Sunday School Convention. Oslo, Norway. *** July 9 – August 12 – Winona La k e Rev. George Washington Taylor, School of Theology. Winona Lake, Southern Presbyterian missionary to Ind. Brazil, died January 1, aged 47. In 1920, he was put in charge of a Boys' August 16-23-World Missions Insti- School at Garanhuns, and under his tute, Chautauqua, New York. leadership the influence of the school (Concluded on third cover.)
MISSIONARY "I advertise the REVIEW by word
of mouth whenever I have an oppor- EXPRESS REVIEW OF THE WORLD tunity. I repeatedly urge that mem- bers of our Ministerial Association be- 'Comfort DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor come subscribers and our executive board sends subscriptions to a care- with Economy VOL. LIX MAY, 1936 No.5 fully selected list of our ministers and missionaries." Speed to Yokohama by the shortest Publication and Business Office— route … only 10 days. Go on the Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, D.D., comfortable Empress of Asia or Em- Treasurer, MOl'avian Missions. press of Russia. Or sail via Hono- Editorial and Executive Office– lulu and reach Japan in just 3 days 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. *** more on the luxurious Empress of Entered as second-class matter at Japan (largest, fastest liner on the "The REVIEW is the only magazine Pacific) or the Empress of Canada. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under of its kind for the person who believes Act of March 3, 1879. in Evangelical missions but is not bel- Reduced Summer round-trip fares ligerent about it. . . . The articles •.. First Class and Tourist Class. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. are so up to date, and the stories of Also, inexpensive Third Class on all Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. human interest absolutely essential to Empresses. Published monthly. except August. those giving missionary ta;ks." All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. Regular sailings from Vancouver British agents – Marshall, Morgan MARY E. MOORE, and Victoria in Canada's Evergreen and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Young People's Departm,ent, Board Playground. Orient fares include London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, passage from and to Seattle. If YOll 10 shillings a year. of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian sail from California, connect with Church, U. S. A. an Empress at Honolulu. Orient MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- ports-of-call: Yokohama, Kobe, LISHING CO., INC. *** Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. BOARD OF DIRECTORS "I always look forward to the com- ROBER'r E. SPEER, President ing of the REVIEW with interest, and Independent World Tours as low A. L. W ARNSHUIS, Vice-President always read with profit and inspira- as $585.90, Combination of Classes. WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer tion. May blessings be upon you and Write for folder of six most popular DELAVAN L. PIERSON, SecTelary the sp:endid work you are doing for world tours. the great work of helping to build the SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Kingdom of the Master in the hearts Booklets, information from YOUR of men and nations." AGENT or Canadian Pacific: New WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN York, 344 Madison Ave.; Chicago, H. C. TUCKER, 71 E. Jackson Blvd.; San Francisco, D. J. FANT Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 152 Geary St.; and 38 other cities MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD in the United States and Canada. *** WM. B. LIPPHARD ~@a+ "Through THE REVIEW you are sup- Emc M. NORTH plying one of the great needs of the TO THB Christian Church today, namely: a SAMUEL M. ZWEMER more adequate picture and presenta- ORIINT tion of the fact that 'the Gospel of Editorial Chat Jesus Christ' is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that be- The next issue of THE REVIEW will lieveth.' " ARTHUR Y. MEEKER, be the special American Negro num- ber. This covers the Home Mission Upper Montclair, N. J. study topic of the coming year. You cannot afford to miss it. Some of the *** leading Negro Christians in America contribute to this number, giving their "I have been taking THE MISSION- views of the problems, the progress, ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD for ten and the prospects that relate to 15,- years or more. I enjoy it immensely. 000,000 Colored' Americans in the It is splendidly edited for one thing. United States. There are also articles Then the articles by the various per- by white contributors who are work- sons from all over the world are ing with and for the Negro. Secure highly educational." copies of this number for your pastor, your missionary chairman and your MISS SARA L. HAMILTON, study circle. Long Beach, Calif.
*** Personal Items Our special numbers last year sold Rev. and Mrs. C. R. Callender and over 1,000 single copies each. Order Mrs. C. E. Park have gone to what now. The main contents and the is now the most remote mission sta- special advance price are given on the tion under the Presbyterian Board- fourth cover of the REVIEW. Kiulungkiang Station, on the Mekong River in Yunnan, China, about eleven *** days journey north of Chiengrai. It was opened by missionaries from Does your pastor take THE REVIEW? Siam in 1917. In addition to evan- If not, why do you not ask ten friends gelistic work in Kiulungkiang and . to give 25 cents each to supply him neighboring towns, they will find med- with this mine of information and ical, educational and leper work to be illustration of God's work 'in the world done in a vast, raw and needy field. today? How about your Missionary Society and your Sunday school? *** *** Hon. D. Tagawa has resigned as President of Meiji Gakuin in Tokyo. Here are some comments to show He has been a leader in many Chris- what others think of THE REVIEW. tian movements and is well-known as They are culled from recent letters: a political liberal, having been vice- mayor of Tokyo at one time and a "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW is one of member of Parliament for a number the most valued magazines that comes of terms. His position at Meiji Ga- to my desk. It seems to me it is get- kuin will not be filled immediately. ting better right along. The recent numbers have been especially inter- (Concluded on third cover.) esting to me." [225 ] REV. A. M. KNUDSEN, Longview, Wash.,. President, Pa- cific Synod, United Lutheran Church In America.
SCENE OF THE WHITMAN MASSACRE THE TUTUILLA INDIAN CHURCH
MARCL'S WHITMAN – PIONEER TO OREGON INDIANS PATAWA, LEADER IN THE TUTUILLA INDIAN CHURCH THE GRAVE OF MARCUS WHITMAN THE MARCUS WHITMAN COLLEGE (See page 243.) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMI!I:ATlONAL REVIEW OF 'WORLD-WIDE CHIUSTIAN PnOGRESS NUMBER 5 MAY, 1936 Topics of the Times THE AWAKENING IN IRAN have endeavored to raise a revolt against the new order but they have been powerless against the Great changes are taking place in Persia or central government. Iran as it is correctly called. The whole country is charged with a different atmosphere. Ten Unfortunately the new idea of freedom and the years ago the old conservative Kajar dynasty was equality of the sexes is in danger of breaking overthrown and a new progressive dynasty was down wholesome restraints. Moving pictures inaugurated under Shah Riza Khan Pahlevi. Since from Hollywood-such as "The Gay Divorcee"- then there have been many evidences of progress and photographs and stories in illustrated papers in the government, in material improvements and convey the idea that Western civilization and freein education, but the nation has still been under dom necessarily involve freedom in divorce and the influence of Moslem laws and customs. These low moral standards. have held the people back-socially, intellectually and religiously. Recent letters from Iran, how- Modern education is also making progress in ever, report remarkable progress on each of these Iran, and the government has assumed the relines. sponsibility for training the youth in Persian ideals. One government order makes all primary First the men were commanded to discard the e?ucation, up through the fifth grade, co-educa- Moslem fez for the Occidental hat or cap as an tIOnal. It is expected that this will soon be exevidence of a "new day." Now the women are tended to high schools. Boy Scouts and Girl told to lay aside the veil-which they believe Mo- Scouts are being organized. The result will be a hammed commanded-and to adopt modern dress. greater freedom in the mingling of the sexes and Women teachers who do not discard the veil are in marriage from personal choice-rather than by dismissed and government officials cannot draw parental arrangement. their pay until they bring their wives with them Reform is in the air in Iran but there are also unveiled. Moving picture theatres do not allow veiled women to enter, and educational inspectors signs of religious change and of a spiritual awaksend home schoolgirls who have not adopted ening. Most of the Iranians are by inheritance modern dress. Recently the Governor of Kash- Moslems, but leaders are declaring that Islam has an, with the Chief of Police and the Superintend- had its dead hand on the people long enough. ent of Schools, gave a series of talks in the Girls' Christian workers have new opportunities to call school which resulted in all throwing off their attention to Christ and His power to give true veils, and on January 9th a decree was issued light and liberty. The n~.ovies are introducing piccertifying the new freedom of Iranian women. tures with a Christian background-including a One notable result is seen in the fact that women film called "Golgotha," showing the trial, death of the Court, without veils, are now attending pub- and resurrection of Jesus. In Meshed, the pilgrim lie receptions with their husbands and are intro- center of Shia Islam, the theater was crowded duced to other men. The wives of members of the with Moslems for several days. A few years ago Mejlis (National Assembly) sent a telegram to such a film would have caused a riot; now it was viewed with quiet attention. the wife of the Shah, expressing gratitude for her efforts in behalf of the emancipation of women. Iranian Christian evangelists reported recently Many of the mullahs and other Moslem leaders that a morshid (leading Sufi dervish teacher or mullah), a man who claims to have more than a [227 ]
thousand followers in all parts of Khorassan, has Evangelicals are connected with the Waldensian made confession of his sins and his faith in Church-that faithful body of Bible Christians in Christ, saying, "I have been totally lost and with- the Piedmont Valley who trace their origin to the out God in my beliefs. I now see that salvation early apostles and never were under the control is with Christ and I believe and accept Him, and of the Pope of Rome. They have always been a I am ready to go forth to tell this good news to humble, hardy and mostly peasant folk, but intelmy followers." ligent, courageous and highminded. After many trials, with persecution and bitter warfare, they A correspondent writes: were finally granted religious liberty on February "God has been working here in a way I have 17, 1848, now observed as "Waldensian Day." never seen before. Twenty-four new believers Those Evangelical Christians have spread, like were introduced to the church on Christmas Day, the Apostolic Church and are now found all over and ten more have come since then. Many of Italy. They include men in high places of rethem are men of position and influence-three sponsibility. have been judges, two lawyers, two doctors, one a prisoner serving a life sentence. It seems like a But the World War, economic depression and quiet revival beginning. God is bringing people the Italy-Ethiopian campaign have brought many to us in most unexpected ways." great hardships. The Waldensian Church, being Another thrilling movement is due to the in- composed largely of poor farmers, while giving fluence of a young medical student, Dr. H–, generously to support its own churches, has not who came to America to study and here became a been able to carryon its larger work without the Christian. Last summer he returned to Teheran help of Christians in America and the British and first of all began to trace all his old friends Isles. These gifts from outside Italy have so and encourage them to become Christians. He fallen off in recent years that the Waldensian opened a clinic where he met a large number work has suffered greatly. Gifts from America whom he also encouraged to study Christianity. alone have been greatly reduced from what they He organized a meeting which grew in numbers were formerly. As a result churches have been and power. His personal witness is remarkable. closed, pastor's small salaries have been reduced One of his groups included army officers, grocers, not once but four times. In many cases one paspolicemen and students. He told them of his quest tor must serve many scattered communities. for a happy life and how, since he had accepted Christ, he had been supremely happy. Now the Italian campaign in Africa has taken He said: "Islam has blinded us. We have lived all these years in the shadow of truth. MyoId many of the Waldensian young men; the "sancfriends and new friends are still unhappy, borne down with a feeling that they are not getting any tions" imposed by the League of Nations and the real value out of life. We can never feel that we have accomplished the purpose for which we were strict regulations of the Italian Government have created unless we do it through Christ." Through his influence a large number have been produced further hardships. The spirit of the interested in Christianity and on Christmas morning over four hundred were present in the church. Waldensians is unshaken. In one community the Twenty-three men and four women were accepted as Catechumens in the church. At the close of the farmers agreed to set aside a piece of land, to service on last Christmas morning one of the most prominent leaders in the Department of Justice furnish free seed and labor so that the crops went up to the platform and stated that he wished publicly to identify himself with Christ. Such an might be sold and given for the central funds of unprecedented event created quite a stir. Formerly each Christmas there had been a special the Church. service, but it was evident that this year the service was limited to those who had not been asso- Naturally in most districts the Roman Catholic ciated with the church; Christians were excluded in order to make room for others. Tickets were clergy are bitterly opposed to the Evangelical given out and the church building was crowded. work in proportion as it succeeds in drawing the W ALDENSIAN SUFFERERS IN ITALY people from the Church of Rome into deeper spir- What has the Italian invasion of Ethiopia to do with the progress of Evangelical Christianity in itual experience. But in many places the people Italy? Much, every way. Most of the Italian welcome the Gospel and attend services in larger numbers. One Roman Catholic, after attending a Waldensian Day celebration, wrote to Signor Paolo Bosio, the Waldensian pastor, as follows: The commemoration was one of the most solemn and unforgettable events I was ever privileged to attend. . . . The immense congregation was moved and thrilled. I do not belong to the Waldensian Church but I admire her and partake -with enthusiasm in her fight and rejoice in her victories for the truth – a most needed work, espe- cially at this time. I believe that nothing but a true spir- itual awakening will make our dear country really great.
The Waldensians are not only thrifty, earnest Bible Christians, but they are missionary-minded and are seeking to spread faith in Christ and the Gospel throughout Italy. They have established
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
modest churches, schools (most of which are now Council and the thirty-eight Natio'nal Christian closed), hospitals, homes for the aged and orphan- Councils are all evidences of a healthy desire for ages in various parts of the country and their Christian fellowship and closer cooperation; they workers are endeavoring to promote child welfare are im,portant steps toward greater unity of through clinics and in, other ways to build up spirit, purpose and action, though these do not intelligent, self-supporting Christian communi- necessarily advocate organic church union. They ties. They are in need of sympathy and help from are motivated by a desire to carry out the ex- fellow Christians. Fourteen congregations have pressed desire of Jesus Christ that all His fol- been deprived of ministers in the past year be- lowers might be One, with the same kind and de- cause of the financial depression. Dr. Guido gree of spiritual unity that exists in the Godhead. Comba writes: "The need is very urgent. We must have help now or we shall be forced to aban- There is a vast difference in the ideals and aims don many mission stations and to close down sev- that actuate these movements. Some would sink eral parts of our work." all doctrinal and ritualistic differences to bring about organic union; others would maintain in- The Waldensians themselves are giving as gen- dependence of thought while promoting unity of erously as they can. Recently they observed self- spirit and closer cooperation. While man is man denial week by making extra gifts for the support and full of imperfection and the spirit of inde- of the work. Rings, gold chains, watches and pendence, perfect union seems to be unattainable other treasures, as well as money, were contrib- if not undesirable. Many interdenominational enterprises have proved failures because they uted to the fund. * were looked upon as requiring compromise or sur- render in important matters of faith and practice. When we think of Italy, and are inclined to How can those unite in matters of Christian testi- severely condemn the unprovoked campaign of mony who disagree on such important questions , Mussolini in Ethiopia, let us not forget the faith- as the deity of Christ, the atonement on the Cross, ful Waldensian Christians who suffer from the the resurrection of Christ from the dead and the warfare but do not condone the selfish purposes Scriptures as the inspired revelation of God? It of the Government. In their Confession of Faith is not necessary to be contentious, suspicious or we see their attitude: "Established authorities aloof in order to hold firmly to these beliefs but we honor and unto such we gladly submit; but there must first be unity in essential matters of human institutions we loathe when they put in faith, loyalty and aim before there can be any true danger the freedom of conscience." union in organization and operation.
UNITY OR UNION IN MISSIONS Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who has been so greatly blessed in his ministry in many lands, makes a Many movements for church union are in the strong – and, we believe, a practical appeal to air. Some are already realized. Interdenomina- Christians of every name to drop divisive labels; tional church union is an accomplished fact in he recommends that all evangelical churches Canada, in India and in China and in branches adopt the name "The Church of Christ"-adding of similar church families in America and Scot- any useful distinctive title to indicate the locality land; the younger branches of various churches in or special family to which the church belongs. Japan, Korea and other mission fields have also Thus: "The Church of Christ in India-Methodist formed National Christian Churches. Other Branch"; "The Church of Christ in China-Bap- similar movements are strongly advocated at tist Branch," or "The Church of Christ in the home and abroad to take in a larger number of United States-Presbyterian Branch." church bodies. The Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the United States are hoping to unite There is no question but that the present divi- and there is some talk of union between Meth- sions and even rivalry in the present evangelical odists and Presbyterians. The Church of Eng- Church are a hindrance to Christian growth and land is joining in conferences to effect consolida- testimony, if not a public scandal and a dishonor tion with other churches in India. There are al- to Christ. There is a growing desire for unity ready in active operation. a large number of inter- and cooperation in so far as these are dictated church federations in America, as well as many and directed by loyalty to Christ as Head of the union cooperative educational and philanthropic Church. At present there is no call for uniformity enterprises on the mission fields. Various inter- or organic union. church conferences, such as those on Faith and Order, Life and Service, the Home and Foreign The reasons for true Christian unity and closer Mission Conferences, the International Missionary fellowship are: • The American Waldensian Society, of which the Rev. Robert W. 1. The fact that all Christians are ideally one Anthony is the new secretary, is located at 156 Fifth Avenue, New in Christ and should recognize this oneness. York.
2. The effect on the world of a united body in cent conference of religious education directors contrast to the effect of a divided church. in Canton, one of the delegates mentioned the fol- 3. The great need to avoid dissention and even lowing difficulties in the training of youth: the appearance of rivalry among the professed 1. Since the Government has forbidden Chris- followers of Christ. Each should recognize the tian teaching schools, students are inclined to rights and values of others. regard religion as discredited, or at least unim- 4. The vast unfinished work that Christ has portant, and some are inclined to despise Chris- given His Church to do and that requires united, tianity.
harmonized witness and service. 2. The non-Christian students so far outnum- 5. The fact that diversity in nonessentials of ber the Christians, even in mission institutions, doctrine and practice is consistent with perfect that the Christian atmosphere and influence is unity in loyalty and service to Christ in different weak or lacking.
ways and places. 3. The divided opinions, lack of training and different standards of nominal Christians make it 6. A great saving of money and effort will in- difficult or impossible to unite them-the result is evitably result from increased unity and coop- a divided church. eration. 4. Non-Christian teachers are very apt to 7. The fact that the conscious experience of undermine the Christian ideas and ideals of stusuch oneness is the expressed desire and plan of dents so that they are confused or become ag- Christ, the head of His body, the Church. nostics.
There has been good cause for the protests 5. The Christian services in many mission inagainst error and for the emphasis on certain for- stitutions fail to attract or meet the needs of stugotten or neglected truths that have given birth dents. In the churches, especially in large centers, to various denominations, but the Ideal is the they often find divisions and controversy which unity of the body, directed by one head. The perplex them. vine is one, and though it has many branches going out in different directions, all draw life 6. Worldly influences tend to draw young Chifrom the same stock and all bear the same good nese away from Christian life and service; they fruit. The ideal family has different branches, incline to seek political preferment, money-makthat may function in various ways, in various lo- ing or pleasure. The Christian motive and values calities, under different names, but all are one in of life are not presented with sufficiently appealloving fellowship and in harmonious service. All ing force. Christians should contribute some important part to the whole, though their individual character- 7. The evidence of injustice, the selfishness, the istics may express themselves differently. immorality and dishonesty in so-called Christian God is too great for any human individual or lands, are looked upon as a virtual denial of Christ group to reveal Him; the work of Christ in the and discredit His teachers.
world is too vast for anyone organization to per- To correct these difficulties in Christian instituform every task and to complete it. tions, H. A. Wittenback suggests (in The Chinese Recorder for March, 1936) that all must have a DIFFICULTIES OF CHINESE YOUTH truly positive and attractive Christian atmos- The youth in China are having a difficult time. phere. Every member of the staff must be a posi- Not only is their land torn by internal strife and tive, intelligent Christian, able and eager to make threatened from the north; not only do they face helpful contacts with students in order to win poverty and distress on every side; but multitudes them to Christ and prepare them for His service. of the youth are drafted for military service and Christianity expressed must also appeal to stuan early death before they are out of their teens. dents, truly vital but adapted to their minds and They learn to fight but know not how to earn a needs, with challenging opportunities for service living when they leave the army. The better edu- that will promote human welfare. The optimism cated Chinese youth, like those of other lands, are and courage of youth mu'st be enlisted in the cause inclined to be idealistic and to seek a speedy cor- of the living, all-powerful, divine Leader who rection of the evils they see-correction by force sacrificed Himself for others.
if peaceful methods do not immediately accom- The youth of today, in China, in Europe, in plish their purpose. America, need the challenge of a cause worth liv- Political, economic, social and religious condi- ing for and worth dying for, under a Leader who tions in China are all far from ideal and many consents to no compromise and offers no easy different remedies are recommended. The situa- task, but who fearlessly, wisely, powerfully, leads tion in China presents a great problem. At a re- on to victory.
A Visit to the Atlas
-~ I By JAMES HALDANE, Mazagan, Morocco I Jie– L===========================~ THE origin of the Berbers of North Africa is meet in the recorded history of Morocco. When still obscure notwithstanding all the efforts the Arabs invaded the country it was with these of scholars to trace it. But this failure, far they clashed in the struggle for supremacy. from curbing curiosity, has given it impetus; the lack of a knowledge of facts has brought several .At any rate, the Arabicized Berbers are now theories to the fore. According to some scholars living in the plains and other sections of the coun- try. In recent years we have been able to open CALLED TO HALT AND EXPLAIN four stations at the base of the Atlas Mountains, but penetration to the glens, or ascent to the high plateau, for permanent mission work, has not been possible. For more than a millennium these peo- ple have lived behind their great natural barrier, isolated from the outside world, having no con- tact with men of another tongue, save when they descended to the plains to plunder.
But the creaky doors of this great wall, which have been bolted and barred so long, are now be- ginning to budge, and here and there at some pass they now stand ajar. Some little time ago I slipped in through one of these, traveled along the furrow and slopes and entered the glens to preach the Gospel where, as far as we know, no missionary of the Cross had ever proclaimed God's way of salvation through Christ.
the Berbers are "The people whom Joshua, the son of Nun, drove out before him." Renan, the famous French historian, championed this origi11. Others, allowing their imagination some scope, in- cline to believe that they are descended from Goliath, whom David slew in combat. This theory is based for the most part on the phrase, "people of the pebble" as a section of the Berbers call themselves, and who. to this day repeat fragments of the story of David and Goliath.
A third theory takes us far back into a hazy past-the Pleistocene Age. At this juncture of history, it is said, there was no Mediterranean Sea, North Africa being territorially joined to what is now southern Europe, while the Atlas Mountains of North Africa were a continuation of the Iberian and Italian ranges. If we accept this OUTSIDE A TYPICAL BERBER VILLAGE last theory we must treat the Berbers as descend- ants of a southern European race. Support is We began to climb at a point where a few years found for this claim.in the fact that the Berbers ago several Europeans were suddenly surrounded are a white race without any of the characteristics by a group of armed mountaineers. They were of real African people found south of the Atlas. led away to the far heights where a powerful gov- One thing, however, we know with certainty, ernor held them for ransom, demanding 3,000,000 namely, that the Berbers are the first people we francs for their release. A military expedition [231 ]
into the region was out of the question, and in troduced ourselves: "Weare ambassadors of a any case would have cost many times over the King, one called Jesus, and we are bearers of a sum demanded. An effort was made to lower the precious message." The barrier in our way was figure, but the crafty Caid perched upon his pla- teau, surrounded by a ring of peaks rising to removed and we proceeded on our journey. The 12,000 feet, far from the reach of cannon balls, slopes were too precipitous to allow the building of villages upon them, and so we climbed until, A GIRL OF PURE BERBER STOCK at an altitude of some 9,000 feet, we suddenly de- bouched into a fertile glen. The place was stud- would not budge. So the ransom money was paid ded with small villages and for the first time, and the captives were released. probably, the people were to meet a missionary.
We had not gone far when a man brought us A hurried visit and superficial observation to a halt. He looked vicious and fanatical and would lead one to conclude that here in this fer- required some tactful handling before we could tile valley, walled in with snow-capped conical . get a hearing. By the use of a little humor we peaks, far from those crushing cares that swamp forced his fanaticism into the background and in- civilized communities, we should find serenity, friendship, hope and love-the virtues that make life wholesome and good. Alas, these virtues, so we found, were scarce to the point of nonexistence. The valley was vitiated from end to end with the villainy characteristic of corrupt human nature, encrusted with a film of religion.
The first man we met was in the throes of a lawsuit. His land had been wrested from him by a neighbor. "If it were a matter of justice," he told us, "I would have no fear. But lawsuits here spell bribery, and my only chance of victory is to put down a larger bribe than my opponent."
This story was typical of many to which we listened. Up on those heights human nature. was hatching out the same forms of evil, with small variation, which are rampant among the Negroes living in swamps a thousand miles further south.
We found the sex evils, inseparable from Islam, in sturdy growth. The tendency to divert con- versation into this channel was conspicuous in almost every audience. One man, whom I nick- named "Sidi Sixty," had just divorced "Lilla Thirty" and married a maid of twelve. He told me that "Lilla Thirty" was jammed with jealousy and had threatened· the maid of twelve with poi- soning. At the end of a long story he concluded: "If this threat materializes it would be serious for me, because I bought my young wife with a bullock and two sheep." The audience enjoyed the narrative of their friend's predicament. When I pointed out to them that this conduct was im- moral the spokesman naively replied: "Weare Moslems, not ethicists."
In all their conversation we heard the name of God pattering about their sentences like hailstones on an ironJoof. No one seemed to be in earnest about life. Valorous effort for anything' but plunder was not known among them. Again and again I noticed that when one man asked a ques- tion of another he was answered with: "God curse your parents," or "God burn your ances- tors." They did this because it was easier than going to the trouble of making an intelligent reply.
ON THE TIBETAN BORDER
In our village a number of men, twelve in all, whose waters were gathered from the melting took to praying. All that was necessary to fit snows of the surrounding mountains. After gothem for the change from filthy talk and evil prac~ ing some thirty miles beyond this river we turned tices to the presence of God was a sprinkling of north into a mountain pass and after traveling water and a solemn visage. Everywhere there through it for some twenty miles, we found ourwas manifest an extraordinary show of both re- selves in a cul-de-sac. It was a beautiful district ligion and roguery! We asked for an explanation with abundance of water, hundreds of villages, of this strange mixture. There was no answer. while on every side were almond trees, vines and A pious exhibition of religion which is not coun- extensive crops. In this pass we found a small ter-poised by a solid basis of morality finds its community of Jews. They wore black skull caps, strongest support in silence.' had long tapering beards and heavy earrings hanging by their cheeks. How strange it seemed We carried with us copies of the Scripture in to find this Jewish group tucked away in this the Berber tongue. There was a reader in each lovely pass! And yet their ancestors were here village, but it was rare to find more than one. before the dawn of the Christian era. Here they They had never seen the Gospel in Berber; and had their synagogue, read the Old Testament in our feelings were stirred as we listened to them Hebrew and passed on from generation to genreading the first chapter of John, while over their eration the salient features of Judaism so that tofaces expressions, suggestive now of surprise, day the physical and religious characteristics of now of fear, now of amusement, chased one an- the Jews are retained in this small community. other. This, with the message I proclaimed, was the first glimpse tney had of Jesus. What feel- They found it hard to believe that our sole misings surged through one's soul as one faced these sion was to preach the Gospel. "Searching for men and women who had dwelt so long alone, and gold?" they hinted. Fortunately we had some who were now hearing for the first time of an New Testaments in Hebrew and some of these event of supreme importance to them, but which were received by readers. But they were disaphappened long centuries ago! pointed with the book, and handled it carelessly. They wanted us to go prospecting for gold away As I write this article that glen lies deep in up on a mountain towards which they directed our snow. Away among the peaks groups of houses, attention. huddled together to form a village, hang on the slopes like cages on a wall. Here and there-so I God willing we shall return to these people, and imagine-a venerable looking man takes out a we trust that the day is not far distant when, by book as the people gather around their fires, and the prayers and gifts of God's people, we shall reads to them in Berber, "Ye must be born again." have a permanent mission station upon these "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man heights from which the messengers of the Cross lay down his life for his friends." shall go forth to proclaim to Jew and Gentile the glad message of the grace of God. Toward the end of this glen we crossed a river On The Tibetan Border Recently we took a trip with our cook, who is 13,000 ft. mark, where crops cannot be grown also a real help in preaching, to the county of and the inhabitants, except for a few Moslem Weiyiian across the mountain range to the north. gold-washers, are nomadic Tibetans in their black, The object of our itinerary was partly to gain yak-hair tents. In one of these tents, prevented -information as to the extent and population of by rain and darkness from making our destinathe district, prior to more intensive evangelism. tion, we were forced one night to seek shelter. In this whole county is one Christian, a hairdress- It was in answer to prayer that a young Tibetan er of whom it may truly be said that no one whose called off the two big dogs that rushed out at us, head he shaves is ignorant of the Gospel. I made and invited us in. the county city, where he lives, my headquarters, and while there held meetings in his humble cot- Beside the fire sat a toothless old man, slowly tage and on the street, several entering their turning his prayer wheel and muttering the while. names as enquirers. I feel sure that a series of On the other side of the fire, our host, showed his evangelistic meetings will mean the establishment hospitality by knocking his wife over the head of a church. with a "waddy," and personally helping us to a handful of ripe butter in our tea. Another night Traveling around the district proved difficult found us in the now familiar interior of a laowing to the absence of inns and the scattered masery, where the red-robed priests fell over each nature of the population. To the west the country other in an endeavour to get tracts and Scriptures rises on to high, cold plateaux, well above the in Tibetan.-H. H. Knight, in China's Millions.
A Letter from Iran to
FOR years I have been reading articles in The non-Christian members of his household used church and missionary periodicals scolding to tell him that his illness was a retribution for members of the American churches for their changing his religion, but his life of joy has been failure to influence foreign residents in the a living denial of any such allegation. He is United States. It is said that some Chinese Chris- known far and wide in Teheran by the nickname tian student has lost his faith while studying in of "joyful liver" and his influence is immense, not a supposedly Christian college in America. A only in the church but among non-Christian stu- missionary, writing from the foreign field, has dents and all with whom he has contact.
stated plainly that one of the great handicaps to More recently a mature Moslem doctor went to the work abroad has been a lack of zeal and a bad the United States for two years of graduate med- example at home. ical study. He had worked in the American hos- Such statements hurt me a lot, for we are part- pital in Teheran some years ago but his contacts ners. While I know there are too many in the churches of America whose lack of spirituality with Christianity were only superficial. He was and careless lives give rise to such criticisms, yet I also know that thousands in every State at home spiritually restless, and one purpose of his jourfeel badly cut-up by these accusations, for you are trying to be worthy of our Lord and to testify ney was because he found no such happiness in for Him as sincerely as any missionaries in other lands. Sometimes I have wondered as to the sad his work as he had observed in the lives of the results, in the case of Christians and truthseekers who come from other lands to America, missionary doctors. In America he made contact whether the fault may lie with the strangers themselves. For instance, have the "Christians" with a hospital in the Boston area and located among them had a firm grounding in their new faith before they fared forth abroad, and have there. At first he had great difficulty with the they sought in the right places and kept at it wholeheartedly before they made their decision language and decided to attend a church largely that Christianity is ineffectual in America. However that may be, I have two bouquets that may to improve his English. But the Christian felcompensate somewhat for the brickbats you have grown accustomed to receive. lowship he experienced, together with a remark- More than a decade ago a young Zoroastrian able dream in which he heard the call of Christ, who had become a Christian in our college in Teheran went to Detroit with a group of Iranian- resulted in his conversion. He and his two schoolstudents for a special course in the Ford plant. Some missionaries were rather fearful of the re- girl daughters were baptized before his period of sults, for he was a very young Christian; but we gave him a letter which he could present to some study was ended. For some months now he has Detroit pastor and sent him off with our prayers. He made use of the letter (which too often such been back in Teheran, and never have we had an students fail to do) and found a welcome in a Detroit church. He identified himself completely Iranian Christian with more evangelistic zeal. with that church and its young people, and his Christian experience steadily deepened during his The doctor is simply indefatigable in introducing stay there. Then came misfortune in the shape of a disease which meant long weeks in the hos- relatives, friends and patients to Jesus Christ, and pital and permanent incapacity for further study or work. He was sent back to Iran and for years a number have already been converted, including has lived the life of an invalid at· home. His American friends in the Detroit church have men prominent in the life of the nation. New never forgotten him and many have kept in touch with him through their letters and gifts. Their evangelistic meetings and Bible classes are being friendship he counts one of his choicest blessings carried on in Iranian homes, and the doctor is the heart and soul of them all. The Teheran church seems to be entering a new era in its development through his influence. To our fellow missionaries at home are due our heartfelt thanks for this in· valuable contribution towards winning Iran for Christ. An important feature of your contribu- tion is that at present there is a law against reli- ° gious propaganda in Iran which theoreticallo makes it illegal for a foreigner to urge non-Chris- tians to accept Christ, but no such law can touch the case of a man who, thousands of miles beyond the frontiers of Iran, accepted Christ on his own initiative.
If you in America will give the student from the mission field that hearty friendship which you can so charmingly offer, and will not be too hesitant about sharing with him the faith and experience in Jesus Christ which mean so much to you, America will not harm him, if he is sincere.· WILLIAM N. WYSHAM.
in a life radiant with Christian faith and joy. Teheran, Iran, November 22, 1935.
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D. L. Moody-Ambassador of Christ*
I I)it- -e( By the. REV. JOHN McDOWELL, D.D., New York Some day you will read in the papers that Dwight L. ing. Through all those wonderful years from Moody, of East Northfield, is dead. Don't you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I 1871 to 1899 the crowds were· as great as ever, am now. I shall have gone up higher, that's all; out of surging around the doors and cramming the hall this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal – a as soon as the doors were open. Mr. Moody was body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a the embodiment of a wise and effective evangelism body fashioned like unto His own glorious body. I was that was Scriptural in its basis, spiritual in its born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. aim, personal in its method, social in its expres- That which is born of the flesh may die: that which is sion, cooperative in its action, effective in its apborn of the Spirit will live forever. peal, and fraternal in its spirit. His preaching THESE words of prophecy by Dwight L. was always vital, transforming and practical. It Moody are today reality, luminous and liv- changed human natures and made for holy and ing reality. In December, 1899, death took useful living. the body of Mr. Moody from us but not.his spirit. After a sermon preached in the Congregational That abides, and will abide forever as a benedic- Church of Gill (town not far from Dr. Moody's tion and blessing to the whole world. He lives home), some of his hearers, who were farmers, today in the multitude of men and women all over were discussing him. All of these farmers knew the world whose lives he touched with his inspir- him as a boy. One said: "Whatever criticism you ing and transforming message; he lives in the may have of Dwight's preaching, it has been my institutions which he established for human wel- observation that our chicken coops are always fare at Northfield, Mt. Hermon and Chicago. He safer after Dwight preaches in this town."
lives in his printed sermons and in the books Mr. Moody was never at a loss for a reply to which he published. He lives in the hymns which any question or criticism from his audience.
he inspired, and in the movements which he in- When preaching in Hyde Park, London, on augurated for human service, and in the outstand- "Christ As the Light of the World," one man ing leaders of many of the mightiest movements shouted: "Ah men, the man who invented gas of modern life. did more for the world than Christ," to which We cannot come in touch with a man of such Mr. Moody replied; "Then I suppose, my friend, colossal achievements, transforming influence and when you come to die you will send for the gas masterful power without asking, what was the fitter." All of Mr. Moody's replies and retorts secret of this man's influence and where were the were in the spirit of kindness and helpfulness.
headings of his power? Great men influence the By his spiritual motives and sane methods, world in three ways: by what they say, by what which were void of all sensationalism and clap- they do, and by what they are. trap, Mr. Moody not only won the hearty coopera- 1. Dwight L. Moody influenced the world by tion of all spiritually-minded people and secured what he said-by his preaching. Mr. Moody was the conversion of multitudes of the ungodly, but most himself, most eager and most energetically more completely than any other man of his day alive when he stood before vast audiences to pour he impressed upon the Christian Church her re- out in strong, animating words the Gospel of sponsibility for lost souls and her inescapable ob- God's love for man. His preaching was always ligation to be always and everywhere evangelistic.
Biblical, vivid, picturesque, vital, positive, urgent, He was the inspiration of the summer open-air reasonable and intensely personal. It is generally preaching campaigns in many cities, campaigns conceded that no man ever spoke to more people which carried the Gospel to hundreds of thou- directly than did he. Here was a man who held sands of people during the summer days when and swayed multitudes six days in the week for many churches were closed.
over thirty years and never lost his drawing "God so loved the world that He gave His only power. People never seemed to tire of his preach- begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him * Part of an address at the anniversary of the ninety-ninth birth- should not perish but have everlasting life" was the sum and substance of His message and the day of Dwight L. Moody. founder of the Northfield Schools, on heart of His appeal. Mr. Moody was always in- February 5, 1936, by Dr. John McDowell, a member of the class of 1890, Mt. Hermon.
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tense in spirit but was generally conversational in that the primary purpose of education is formatone and never was theatrical; his gestures simple tion rather than information, that the mere acand his sentences direct and pungent. The New quisition of knowledge is in itself not enough. He York Times, in speaking of Mr. Moody's work in believed that the real goal of all true education is New York City, said: "Whatever philosophical the full integrated personality that finds expresskeptics may say, the work accomplished this sion in clear thinking, right feeling and effective winter by Mr. Moody in this city for private and action. Mr. Moody rejoiced in all that made the public morale will live. The drunken have be- minds of men and women more capable of undercome sober, the vicious virtuous, the worldly and standing. He also believed that the man who self-seeking unselfish, the ignoble noble, the im- could read the Bible for himself had opened up pure pure, the youth have started with more gen- the avenue through which God could speak to him. erous aims, the old have been stirred from gross- This was a fundamental conviction in the life of ness. A new hope has lifted up hundreds of hu- Mr. Moody, and for this reason he made the Bible man beings, a new consolation has come to the central in all the work of his schools, going so sorrowful, and a better spirit has entered the far as to put a Bible in the cornerstone of every sordid life of the day through the labors of these major building erected on the campuses of the plain men. Whatever the prejudiced may say Northfield Schools. against them, the honest-minded and just will not forget their labors of love." Dr. Arthur T. Pierson has well said: "As Arnold made Rugby a nursery of a peculiar type "Dwight L. Moody was undeniably the most of British man of culture, Moody made the Northextraordinary Gospel preacher that America has field Schools nurseries of Christian character and produced in this century as Spurgeon was the Christian service." Mr. Moody recognized that most extraordinary that Britain has produced, the methods and means of Christian education said Dr. Theodore Cuyler. "Both had all Chris- would change but its purpose and aim should retendom at their feet." main unchanged and unchangeable. There was no divorce in Mr. Moody's mind between his work The Testimony by Deeds as an evangelist and his work as an educator. All of his activities were one in his own mind, and 2. Dwight L. Moody also influenced the world hence wherever he was and whatever he did he by what he did. The man of thought is the brain was preeminently The Ambassador of Christ, and of the community, the man of feeling is the heart that because in his faith Christ was his Saviour, of the community, the man of deeds is the hand of his Teacher, and his Lord. the community. Many facts show that Mr. Moody was all three of these things in every com- Measured by whatever standards you please, munity in which he lived and worked. "Time," whether by his influence on men or on movements, said Prof. Drummond, "has only deepened the im- or both, Mr. Moody stands out as one of the greatpression not only of the magnitude of the results est men in the magnitude of his achievements and immediately secured through Mr. Moody's visit the preeminence of his influence. As a preaCher to Scotland, but equally of the permanence of the of the Gospel, as a master of great audiences, as after-effects upon every field of social, philan- an administrator, as an agent for men of wealth, thropic, educational and religious activity." Mr. as a transmuter of money into bricks, stones, Moody was keenly alive to the fact that religion books, tracts and Christian character, Mr. Moody and education were the primary factors in the rightly ranks as one of the greatest men of any making of the individual and the nation. Out of day. this conviction grew his untiring effort to make and keep both religion and education genuinely The Testimony of Character Christian. The primary aim of every institution which Mr. Moody founded was to make Chris- 3. Mr. Moody also influenced the world by what tians, not critics; to make servants as well as he was-by his life and his character. Emerson scholars. Mr. Moody sought not simply to edu- said: "Men are not quite so anxious to know cate but to educate for a definite service, the serv- what you do as what makes you do it." The dyice of Christ. namic forces of Mr. Moody's life were spiritual forces. He was the product of his faith in Jesus Mr. Moody's conviction was that without reli- Christ and apart from this faith it would be imgion life cannot be noble, without service it can- possible to account for him. He was a man of not be unselfish, without duty it cannot be free, unfaltering faith, a faith that was real to him and without companionship it cannot be human. and he made it real to others. It was active rather Over and over again he used to say to us: "The than passive for it was intensely practical. Its purpose of life is service, and the reward of serv- nature is splendidly set forth in a reply he once ice is more service." It was his conviction, also, made when asked why he did not run his schools on faith. "I do," he quickly responded, "I always
D. L. MOODY – AMBASSADOR OF CHRIST
have and always will. As an evidence of it if you Of his visit to Harvard, Dr. Francis G. Peabody, will tell me of any Christian man who has money in His Reminiscences of Present-Day Saints, said: to whom I have not written or on whom I have "Moody immediately impressed all hearers as not called, I will do so at once. I show my faith completely single-handed and sincere. He was when I go to men and ask them to give to God's genuinely conscious of his own limitations, and work." Faith in Mr. Moody was a matter of con- while a guest at my house with his wife for a secration as well as affirmation, a way of walking week's meetings with Harvard students inquired rather than a way of talking, a way of working one morning about the duties of a professor. Berather than a way of loafing. It was the power ing told that one usually lectured four or five that held him rather than a form of truth which times a week during the whole winter he said he held. He was the embodiment of a "faith that across the table to his wife: 'Emma, this is no worked by love." "I have never known," said place for us, I only last three weeks.''' "His Lord Kinnaird of Scotland, "anyone whose faith prodigious popularity," continued Prof. Peabody, was so real and abounding. No difficulty could "had not cost him his simplicity or humility. He daunt him, no perplexity could cloud his faith in remained a plain man and knew himself to be God or dim his calm belief that all would be well." about his Father's business."
He was also a man of singleness of purpose. If wisdom is knowledge made our own and ap- His heart was in everything he did. As a sales- plied to life, then Mr. Moody must be credited man in the shoe store, a teacher in the Sunday with large and unusual wisdom. If education is school, a preacher of the Gospel, a leader of men not a dead mass of accumulated items but power and movements he showed that his life was dom- to work with the brain, then Mr. Moody was one inated by one great purpose, namely, the doing of of the best educated men of his day. If the mark the will of God. His was not only a consecrated of an educated man is found in the union of calife, it was a concentrated lif~. He realized that pacity and sagacity, inate mental vigor and practhe secret of all moral force, of spiritual success, tical ability to use it for a purpose, we come to say of reality is in consecration and concentration. that Mr. Moody was no common specimen of a He could not only set a dozen men at work, he man of education in the best sense. Recently in could outwork them. New York City in one of the public schools a teacher asked a ciass composed mostly of chil- He was a man of sterling sincerity. "It is re- dren of foreign-born parents' what the difference freshing at all times and especially in this super- was between an educated man and an intelligent ficial and artificial world," wrote the editor of man. One of the pupils replied, "An educated The Catholic World at the time of Mr. Moody's man knows what other people think; an intellideath, "to come into contact with such a genuine gent man works his own thinks." On the basis soul, a nature so sincere, so simple that it seems of this definition, Mr. Moody was not exceeded a mirror of nature itself." Mr. Moody never sac- by any man in his generation. rificed sincerity for success. The transparency of his character and the sincerity of his acts were so He was a man of democratic spirit. He knew marked that none who ever knew him could never no difference between rich and poor, high and low. forget them. Between his pulpit utterances ana He knew everybody in the community, and everyhis private life there was no fixed gulf, nor was body knew him and loved him. One evening at a there any between his Monday warfare and his great meeting in London a certain peer was in- Sunday worship. He had a passion for sincerity, troduced. "Glad to meet you, Lord," said Mr. "the clean heart," "for truth in the inward parts." Moody, "just get two chairs for those two old He had an inborn dislike for all sham and decep- ladies over there, will you?" That was the spirit tion. For a man to say what he really thinks and of the man. to be outwardly what he really is in his heart requires heroism of no mean type. This heroism Mr. Moody's keen wit and practical common Mr. Moody possessed in a remarkable degree. His sense is splendidly illustrated by the following presence killed insincerity and inspired sincerity. incident. On board a train on which Mr. Moody He was a hero to his own children and to his was riding the newsboy came through shouting: friends. "Ingersoll on Hell." Mr. Moody caught the boy and placed one of his own books, a book on heaven, He was a man of genuine humility. Henry in the boy's hand, saying: "Here, my lad, here is Drummond said: "The way he turned aside from another book. Give them that at the same time." applause in England struck multitudes with won- In a few minutes the boy came through the train der." The criticism which sours and the adula- shouting: "Ingersoll on Hell, Moody on Heaven." tion which spoils left untouched this man who Mr. Moody was a firm believer that the best way forgot himself into immortality. Among college to show that a stick is crooked is not to argue stUdents, Mr. Moody was always a vital power. about it or to spend your time denouncing it but
in laying a straight stick alongside of it. Much religion, the center of his message, the incentive of his achievement and the secret of his power. of his success in· dealing with many of the com- When urged on one occasion by a supporter of his schools to raise the tuition from $100 a year plicated problems which confronted him was due to $200 with the suggestion that those who could not pay the extra $100 should secure some friend to this kind bit of practical philosophy. . to do it, Mr. Moody with tears streaming down his face replied: "It has been the prayer of my D. L. Moody was a man of unceasing prayer. life that I might be that friend to every student who enters these schools," and he was until the Here we touch the source of his matchless power. day of his death. His interest in his students never ceased. They were on his heart day and God was not to him a mere law or an abstraction, night.
but he knew God was a Person who feels and No career of modern times is a better commen- tary on the high motto of the Apostle Paul, "For thinks, a Father who rules and loves and is con- me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," than that of Dwight L. Moody. Neither God nor man will cerned with everything which affects His chil- let such a life die.
dren. As a result we are not surprised to find Mr. MoodY leading a life of ceaseless communion with God, out of which grew a life of overcoming strength. There was a correspondence between Mr. Moody's life and his prayers: both were mas- sive and on a grand scale.
He was a man of deep, strong, abiding love.
This was the motive of his life, the essence of his Among Australian Aborigines By MRS. D. MATTHEWS, Adelaide, Victoria, Australia T HE aborigines of Australia are said to be the who was a full black with eight half-caste chil- most difficult race in the world to civilize and dren. Mr. Matthews had selected the land for- Christianize. My experience among them merly belonging to the squatter and tried to keep dates from 1872 when Mr. Daniel Matthews and the black and white men working for him. We I were married in Melbourne and went forty miles had a schoolhouse built and I was there with our out among the mountains to spend our honeymoon little daughter and a piano. Eventually the numon a mission station superintended by a Scotch- bers in the school increased to one hundred and man named Green. fifty-three. It was a work of faith and the in- come grew from £30 to over £1,000 a year. We ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AT PLAY prayed for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and They amuse themselves painting their bodies with clay for a showers of blessing came until one hundred were converted and became bright Christians. native dance One of our interesting characters was Bur- Mr. Matthews had a store at a place called rawaja, a fearless little Australian aboriginal, Echuca, about 150 miles from Melbourne, on the ready to meet an attack at a moment's notice. He Murray River. After two years we went sixteen was tall for his age (eleven years), truthful and miles further into the bush and began our mis- always ready to own up to any wrong-doing, even sion at Maloga (aboriginal name for sand). if it meant punishment, He would ask to be cor- About ten miles from Maloga there was a camp rected if he had done wrong and was not content of blacks on a squatters station – one woman, if a fault was overlooked. Burrawaja's father (known by the name of "Flourbag") was a fine type of Australian aboriginal. So were Torraline, his clever mother, and Badbagurrior, his elder brother, a handsome young man of seventeen. Any of our brown girls would be proud to be thought fit to marry Badbagurrior. These, with two older members· of the family who have not had the privileges of the mission home, were all noble in bush character. Each one a jewel worth winning for our Saviour's crown.
The father and mother were chosen to go as guides to assist Sir Hubert Wilkins (then Cap- tain Wilkins), the Antartic explorer, a wonderful hero in the eyes of Burrawaja, our young warrior of Arnheim land in Northern Australia.
Next Step in Foreign Missions~
By BISHOP PAUL B. KERN, Greensboro, North Carolina 1'- Methodist Episcopal Church, South ~==========================~I "WE ARE at the end of an era and on the of Christianity. Missions is by its very nature border of another for which we have no cosmic. It is at home only amid universal con- technique," said Frederick W. Norwood cepts and reaches its true height and power only recently. "We have really succeeded in reaching as it deals with humanity in the totality of its life our objectives and are in danger of being defeated as nations and races and civilizations. For this by our own victories." reason, therefore, we have always looked to our These words hardly startle us any longer. The missionary enterprise to set the stage for the ad- average informed citizen complacently recognizes vance of the Christian faith and if it should fail the fact that an old era is dead and a new one is in this daring commission which is so vitally a being born. The fact of the imminence of a new part of its very essence, then it would not only world order is no longer questioned; the interest- collapse as a movement within the Church but it ing query that still claims our would entail a far more serious attention is what kind of a new result, namely, the lowering of national and international set- We cannot stand still in the spiritual tone and the ob- up will eventuate from the personal life; we either ad- scuring of the spiritual outlook vance or retrograde. It is present confusion and turmoil. equally. true that we cannot of the Church itself. Chris- If a new day for mankind will merely mark time in foreign tianity could never have surbe born tomorrow what kind of missions; we either advance vived had it timidly entrenched a day will it be? with Christ, who is always itself in Jerusalem. Its very leading on, or we drop be- perpetuity was dependent upon The Christi-an Church can- hind and lose our vital con- the agonizing recklessness with not for a moment allow herself tact with Him. Bishop Kern, which it broke away from ecto be indifferent to the revolu- tionary processes which are re- in his Florida addresses, has clesiastical traditionalism and called attention to the HNext making the very world in Steps in Foreign Missionstt thrust itself and its risen Lord which we live. Our faith was and His Way of Life into the born in a time of restless world as he sees it – the end of one indifferent, lust-infested cenagitation. Conflict is conso- era and the entrance on an- ters of Asia Minor and Europe. nant with its very nature. The It grew great by refusing to Church has grown great and other – will it be forward stay safely at home. When with Christ or a step back- ward, with separation from influential when it has taken Him and His service? therefore we are discussing its courage in hand and dared "Our Next Step in Foreign to become a central factor in Missions" we are dealing with those critical periods which have marked the up- a theme which holds implicity within it the imme- ward climb of nations and races toward a higher diate future and destiny of the Christian Church.
social dream. She remains aloof only to imperil For neither the Church nor the Gospel can stand her soul rather than save it. When her faith still in a world that is moving forward.
falters and her voice hesitates the ardent spirits A Olear Message and Purpose of the world's adventurers turn to lesser creeds and more selfish loyalties, the Church refusing to What then are the next steps that insistently risk her life by losing it in the common struggle challenge us in our foreign missionary underfor a higher Kingdom of values. taking? In the first place, we must reexamine and reaffirm Christianity's central message and No part of the Church can less afford to remain purpose. Many world currents and modern phiinsensitive to these structural changes than that losophies have combined to throw an element of group which is specifically charged with the ad- dubiousness around the Christian message and ministration and projection of the world mission • An address delivered at the Florida Chain of 'Miss[onary As- ideal. Conceptions of society which afford either semblies. 1936.
[239 ]
no place for religion or a place of subservience Redeemer. James Denney summed it up when he for the Church have taken shape in Europe; an said, "Christ not only was something in the increasing dependence upon diplomatic maneuver- world, he did something that make an infinite difing and ever-mounting armaments has supplanted ference, and that puts us under an infinite obliour growing confidence in the power of interna- gation. He bore our sins." And central in the tional goodwill; the fading of democracy from Gospel message is the Kingdom of God. Jesus the international map carries with it a conception held out as a practicable ideal a new world order of the value and dignity of the common individual in which love should supplant hate and cooperain society which leads to the glory of dictators tion should put to rout unholy competition. That but the submerging of rights of the individual; we have so slowly achieved this commonwealth the prevalence of pessimism and despair upon the of divine goodwill is an indictment of our perpart of so many of our fellow citizens who are the verse human nature rather than a reflection upon victims of economic selfishness and maladjust- the practicality of the Sermon on the Mount. ment raises questions which involve the effectiveness of the Gospel in our American social order; How strongly do we believe these central facts the easy-going creed of humanism and the brittle of our Christian message? Do we not need at philosophy of materialism have left us groveling home and abroad to reaffirm their inescapable in the dust rather than struggling upward to meet centrality in all our teaching and preaching? Our a divine ideal which is ever reaching down to set first step, therefore, is to redefine the intellectual our hearts on fire for godlikeness. This is to- and doctrinal basis upon which we posit the whole day's challenge to the Christian Church. Will she Christian movement. This must be done in no be able to offer moral and intellectual leadership formal and indifferent manner. A Church that for the confusion of our times? "The Church can refuses to believe greatly cannot live grandly. never interpret its own truth in terms of the Unless in the center of our souls bells ring with world's falsehoods." She must declare a trans- a clear and impelling sound they will call no worforming message that will be true to New Testa- shippers to prayer. Amid the welter of confusion ment Christianity and at the same time be ade- that besets the world mind today the Christian quate to meet the grievous needs which arise out evangel needs to proclaim a gospel that has about of the moral bankruptcy of our times. It is not it the dogmatism that is implicit in the utterance our business to conform our message to the pass- of Jesus when he said, "Ye have heard-but I say ing fashions of each generation. It is rather our unto you." business to bring each passing age into conformity with the eternal Gospel. It is no theoretical reason which calls for the redefinition of our faith in terms which are mod- Unyielding Oertitudes ern because they are eternal. Every practical consideration drives us to the same strategy. The The reexamination and reaffirmation of the doc- Church itself needs to clear up much of the mood trinal basis underneath our message will reveal of uncertainty in faith which has characterized three cardinal and unyielding certitudes. Jesus her hesitancy in more recent years. The world is Lord. He is not merely a way but the Way; enterprise will not proceed further in geography not merely a truth about God but the Truth about than it does in belief, and men and women will God; not simply a life redolent with the divine not go 1;0 the ends of the earth merely to ask but the Life through which and in which God questions and lead discussion groups concerning completely and unequivocally revealed Himself. God and the eternal life. Also we take note of Or as Principal Forsyth has said, "In Jesus Christ the fact that competing non-Christian religions we have one who was conscious of standing in an are stripping themselves of superstitions and entirely unique relation to the Living God. He outworn customs in order to meet the issue of a held a relation to God as Father that never existed more widely diffused knowledge. Buddhism is in any man before, nay, more, it was one that no having an intellectual rebirth and Confucianism man can ever reach again." Let us frankly face and Shintoism are being readapted to the needs the fact that ours is a supernatural religion be- of the intelligent Oriental. Christianity cannot cause at its fountain head stands One "who spake remain an obscurantist faith in a world where the as never man spake" and lived as never man lived. light of education is steadily lifting the level of intelligence. Furthermore, Christian youth in The second cardinal fact which needs reaffirma- our own land needs to be reassured concerning tion is that Christianity offers salvation for the the future of the missionary enterprise. Far too individual life. It undertakes not merely to change one's environment but rather to recon- many of them have been forced to abandon life struct the centers of one's personality. The world purposes which had thoroughly captivated their needs supremely not a moral teacher but a divine wills because the church under whose banner they were eager to serve has been retreating rather
THE NEXT STEP IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
than advancing, has counseled them to wait and common task. To underestimate the gravity and wait and keep on waiting until the precious years the urgency of our world problem is to be blind of their young manhood and womanhood have to the signs of the times. "The materialistic phislipped away and the Church sends them not losophy of the day, the violence of the destructive, forth unto the fields which are white unto the communistic activity, the powers of paganism and harvest. If the youth of our colleges and sem- of faiths and systems contrary to the teachings inaries give to this enterprise all that they have of Christ, the reactionary attitude of so many govto give, namely, their lives, has not the hour come ernments with reference to religious liberty, the when the Church should carryon the campus perilous subordination of religion to serve the again a modern philosophy of the missionary en- political ends of the totalitarian conception of the terprise and a resolute and dependable world pro- State, and the necessity of recasting the prevailgram into which our choicest young men and ing industrial and commercial system so that it women may build their lives with confidence? will not negative the principles of Christian love or conduce to international war," these – to use A Complete Gospel the words of Dr. Mott-present a challenge to the followers of Christ so momentous and far-reach- The clear emphasis upon the cardinal necessity ing that they can be met by no one group but of a belief in a complete gospel, embracing a di- only by all Christians acting in common effort vine Saviour, a redemptive power that redeems for the· preservation of the faith and the spread the individual, and the Kingdom of God as the of the Christ ideal. urgent ideal that awaits our full obedience to Christ, is made even more pertinent because of A pioneering period is always a time of indicertain trends of the native churches among vidualism in effort. But we believe that there is which we have been working. Take for example no longer a need for an independent, noncooperathe doctrinal conflicts which have arisen in Africa tive enterprise on the foreign fields. The emand China. Upon the rear end of every mission- phasis must rather be upon the Kingdom of God, ary enterprise there seems always to be a fanati- the unity of purpose and faith in Christ of all cal fringe of well meaning conservatives who those who labor for the salvation of the world, interpret religion in terms of nonessentials and and the primacy of love as the exhibition of abnormal manifestations rather than accept the Christ's way and the open road into the heart of great underlying verities of the Christian faith. mankind. Who can doubt that Christ wills' this This minority has about it all the enthusiasm of kind of unity for all His disciples? Our luxurious ignorance and often in energy far outstrips the and expensive divisions cannot longer justify saner interpreters of the Christian message. Un- themselves at the bar of the Christian judgment. reasonably rigid ideas of the Bible, psychic faith healing, rabid individualism and exclusivism, all This cooperation does not imply the fusing of these come in the trail of the Christian movement all denominational groups into one. Such types and often embarrass not only the missionary but of unity can come only as men grow together in the earnest native seeker after the Christian way. Christ and cannot be superimposed by idealistic These proponents of a marginal gospel make up missionary strategists. But we can multiply the for their lack of intellectual acceptability by their apostles of reconciliation, clear up recognized obdogmatic and unyielding confidence in their gos- jections and difficulties, embrace the spirit of tolpel. And the world listens strangely enough to erance, minimize nonessentials, magnify Christ men who make the impression that they know. and seek the unity of the spirit in the bond of The cure for this condition which embarrasses the peace. The results of this attitude, at home and Christian movement in more than one area is not abroad, will not only more effectively extend the the hesitancy of views tentatively held but as- Kingdom but will assure us of that divine leadersurance regarding pivotal beliefs which grounds ship which becomes operative only when men itself not alone in intelligence but also in experi- share the Master's consuming passion that they ence and widely tested social action. may all be one.
Let us therefore reexamine in the frankest Onward to Victory spirit the elements that make up our Gospel, and having found them to be eternal and sufficient, The next step that lies before us beckons from let us proclaim them in faith that is rooted in be- the angle of both faith and action. Faith is still lief and confidence that is born of God. the victory that overcomes the world. The annals of missionary history are rich in examples of how The second forward step in missions lies in the faith "conquered kingdoms, obtained promises, realm of cooperation. We should definitely seek shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of a larger unity of effort in accomplishing the work fire and routed hosts of foreigners." If we lose ahead of us. We need to think, plan, pray and this element from our planning, this daring couract in terms of the wholeness and oneness of our age to undertake the humanly impossible in the
name of Christ who assures us that "all things a pioneering spirit upon the part of the Church?
are possible to him that believeth"; if we lose, I Take as a concrete illustration of this unfin- say, this divinereinforceinent through lack of ished task the work awaiting us in the villages faith, then our enterprise drops to the level ofa and open country of Japan. I can testify to the drab bit of proselytism which soon defeats itself. sustained enthusiasm with which the Gospel is In this spirit therefore, let us face our third and received in these rural areas. Japan has 11,434 final step: we must initiate a definite and stra- towns and villages. Of her towns of 2',500 and tegic advance in the face of an awakened but hesi- more exactly one-half have some Christian con- tant Church and a confused but eager world. tacts, even slight though it is. Of her 9,737 vil- Barriers that once blocked us are gone, "a world lages only 610 are occupied by a church or preach- is on the anvil," and we may create a new type of ing place, leaving 9,127 lying beyond the range Christian world culture if we are sure of our goal of the Christian advance. These figures speak and our spiritual resources. The safest defense for themselves; almost 10,000 towns and villages is a bold offense. There are latent powers of love still remain absolutely virgin soil for the Gospel.
of money, of personality which the Church will More than one-half of Japan's population have never place on the altar of humanity's need until never in any true sense heard a Christian it beholds in all its appalling agony the condition preacher. Small wonder that Kagawa could say of a world without Christ and catches the inspira- recently, "I feel that the evangelization of Japan, tion of a leadership which shares the sacrificial very far from being accomplished, is only barely abandon of a Saviour who counted not his lii begun." There is a Japanese proverb which says: dear unto himself. . . . "If you are in a hurry, don't try a short cut."
The Christian mind in our churches must come One wonders how soon we shall arrive by re- to view the missionary task in its world relation- trenching on every field and taking short cuts ship. Never have so many intelligent citizens that lead us only into confusion and retreat.
been so conscious of a world conflict as today. One other step is immediately ahead. We need Whether it be in South America, China, Japan, to be finding and training a selected group of India or the Philippines, or where not, forces are young men and women to be thrown into this in conflict that are remaking the world. Jesus battle line within the next ten years. There can commanded us to "make disciples of all nations." be no random commissioning of the Church's sec- He visioned Christianity as a world force. It ond best. Sound bodies to bear the strain of in- structurally affected the Grreco-Roman world. hospitable climates; steady psychic centers to It has been, as it was meant to be, a vitalizing, overcome novelty and loneliness; keen, well- integrating, redeeming force in the political and trained minds capable of entering sympathetically social life of every generation. . . . The Chris- into age-old cultural backgrounds; hearts that tian message and the Christian messenger are in- are aflame with incandescent ardor for Christ and dispensable factors in building a new world order a Christless world-upon these must the Church and no nation will long be safe when the founda- lay the high commission of the Master: "Go ye tions of world security crumble through lack of into all the world. . . . Lo, I am with you always."
moral strength. When the Church has done these things, has All of this is only another way of saying that acted on the light she has, has dared to adventure we need to project a program of missionary edu- for God-then she can pray in righteous sincerity, cation into the life of the local church that shall "Thy Kingdom come." Faith without works is deal with missions in the light of present-day de- dead and prayer without sacrifice is futile. We velopments and ideals. Far too few of our min- used to say, "When a million Christians go from isters are preaching missionary sermons which their knees to any task, it shall be done." Pos- reveal a modern viewpoint and impress the faith- sibly we need now to reverse that historic state- ful and intelligent judgment of Christian laymen ment and say, "When a million Christians go of the higher and creative type. A whole new from any task to their knees, God will answer."
generation of church leaders has arisen which has And so our next steps are clearly to accept the never confronted the imperative and persisting abiding obligation which the cross of Jesus placed quality of Christ's last command. Ours is a holy upon all believers, to minimize our differences and cause. Let us not hesitate to lay it upon the heart magnify our agreements, laboring together for a of the church with unabated zeal. common goal in Christ, and finally, to move out Another urgent reason for this advance is that upon His promises, trusting where we cannot see, the unoccupied areas of the world are still unoc- until the eternal purpose which He purposed in cupied. Why is it that there are today virtually Jesus Christ shall become the glorious fact which as many unoccupied fields in the world as were God believed possible when He gave the world reported at the Edinburgh conference twenty-five His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth years ago? Is it spiritual apathy or the lack of on Him might not perish but have everlasting life.
Whitman;.Spalding
By the REV. ARTHUR H. LIMOUZE, New York Se.,etary o/Promotion, Board 0/ National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
O NE hundred years ago a little group of mis- less; but news of the massacre of the Whitman sionaries took the long fearsome overland party in 1847 crawled on leaden feet across the trail from the East to Oregon to write a continent. chapter in the Christian occupation -of the Northwest that will engross the attention and challenge Yet, in spite of the speedy tempo of our own the pioneering spirit anew of the Church of Christ day, it is a question whether our missionary enter- prise is any more farseeing and aggressive than today. the Oregon mission of 1836-1847. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, Henry and The Whitmans and Spaldings had a real mis- Eliza Spalding, and William H. Gray were in that sionary program. It included the creation of that venturesome band. Within two years they were fundamental of American society-the Christian joined by the Walkers, the Eells, and the Smiths, home, the evangelization of the Indian for Christ, all commissioned by the American Board of Com- the ministry of preventive and curative medicine, missioners for Foreign Missions. These were the the project of agricultural missions, anticipating days when, under "The Plan of Union," Congrega- the economic needs of nomads soon compelled to tionalists and Presbyterians interchanged pastors settle down; the establishment of schools; the and cooperated not only in local churches but also development of community life; and the organizain foreign missions. Presbyterians like the tion of the Christian Church. Whitmans and Spaldings went "into all the world" commissioned by that great pioneer missionary organization, the American Board. Together this group sought the evangelization of the Indians of Oregon Territory, and the establishment of the Church. In this particular instance they went to what was known as a "foreign mis- sions" field.
. A foreign field it was then, indeed. If a strange ~WJOO:"""""""'''lI''''''' environment, a native people, a new tongue and I llU)fAttl.W '111'& J'zt. ?£.a~ 'J.IUH. YlIT~I:IW!"'''''''''''' separation from home are factors creating such a field, then theirs was such. Today we make I.oW('f!lJ•• o-tTi!ilJIM1·tlll:t.llUAT WUHef!. . . . . . ." " " '. . . . . . . . . .' " much of the length of time required for a letter "X'jVt:;u,,'l A&,gt 02 ·t~ qr~ INDU.N to reach remote mission stations. Narcissa Whitman waited two years and five months in distant r:Wtt I.. ,I"(ga ilO/.&!) ill':; .f.iJ!i'i.t ~ifD lAlbt.1' ltU'OItE .JUtm Oregon, after leaving her New York home, for a letter from her people. "Home and friends and YUrt,. "I:s,""l C..#Ii'. "tllLltl.al iI·V.rt!:C1'UlI) "tam 'ROlf KrtACit..
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TABLET TO HOL-LOL-SOTE-TOTE WHO PREIVENTED A MASSACRE kindred" were further away from WaiiIatpu, "the All of this had to be wrought out anew. If place of rye grass," and Lapwai, "Butterfly Val- Oregon was virgin territory for settlers, it was ley," in Oregon, than is the most distant mission the same for mission work. Out of what they station in the world today. dragged over prairies and mountains, across There were no planes, or radio communications rivers and deserts, and from that which was nato keep these missionaries in touch with the folks tive to the field, these pioneers brought into beback home. A depression could occur, as it did ing a crude replica of the dear familiar ideals and in 1837, and be over before word of its occurrence institutions of their eastern homes. The story reached them. The untimely end of .Wiley Po~t of what they accomplished, in the face of diffiand Will Rogers was known in the States within culties natural and human, is remarkable. Clifa few hours after it occurred near the Presby- ford-Merrill Drury, in his new book, "Henry terian Mission at Barrow, Alaska, due to the wire- Harmon Spalding, Pioneer of Old Oregon," por- [243 ]
trays in a vivid and accurate fashion the goals an industrial situation marked by long hours, they reached in the short years they labored. poor pay, and all the problems of mill towns. They were real pioneers for Christ, the Church and civilization. Canal and river transportation grew by leaps and bounds. "By 1834 river navigation had be- The Whitman-Spalding Mission was the result come important. In the forties the West had of the urge to carry the Gospel to the Indians of more marine tonnage than the entire Atlantic the Northwest born of the visit of four Nez Perce seaboard. By 1850 there were nearly a thousand Indians to St. Louis in the fall of 1831. Their boats operating on the Mississippi, and as early famous quest for "the White Man's Book" has as 1834 the steam tonnage on that river was come down as a familiar story in modern mis- nearly half that of the British Empire." sions. The spiritual hunger they represented stirred the Methodist Episcopal Church to send Whitman and Spalding with their wives were Jason Lee and his compatriots to the Willamette. the products of a growing educational system It moved Dr. Samuel Parker, a Congregational marked by two characteristics: the inauguration minister of mature years, already touched by the of free education in the lower grades, and the zeal of the Haystack Prayer meeting spirit which multiplication of colleges, 150 denominational infired him at Williams, to offer himself to the stitutions coming into being by the middle of the American Board for a similar mission. It caught 19th Century. up Dr. Marcus Whitman, a Presbyterian elder of Rushville, N. Y., as his companion on a trip of The great question of human slavery was beexploration, sent him back to New York to secure ing raised in many quarters. Just five years be- Henry Harmon Spalding, a graduate of old fore, in 1831, William Lloyd Garrison had pub- Western Reserve College and Lane Seminary, and lished "in the sight of Bunker Hill and in the his young wife, Eliza Hart of Holland Patent, birthplace of Liberty," Boston, his first number of N. Y., as well as Narcissa Prentiss as wife and The Liberator. Daniel Webster was shaping a fellow laborer, for the mission to be established principle of nationalism that was to be of proin Oregon. It also enlisted William H. Gray, of found significance within thirty years. The Fairfield, N. Y., as an industrial missionary later Church itself was being divided by the issue of to become the writer of that "History of Oregon" slavery. Old School and New School Presbywhich describes in eye-witness fashion the labors terians were forming their lines, while at the and sorrows, the victories and the tragedies of same time the great foreign missionary passion the Whitmans and Spaldings. of the Church was gripping its ministers and youth. The Whitmans and Spaldings lived in a stirring era of America's history. It was a time of great "The wants and woes of the heathen," wrote national territorial expansion. The year they Eliza Spalding from Cincinnati to her sister, started for Oregon was the year of the Alamo, "have too long been neglected by Christian nawhen that little band of Texans within the mis- tions, who have not only the Saviour's command sion building at San Antonio were wiped out by binding upon them, to go and proclaim His Gospel Santa Anna and his three thousand Mexican to all nations, but are furnished with ample troops. That massacre led to the birth of a new means for the mighty work. When I reflect upon State and a further increase of the territory of the wretched condition of those benighted souls the Republic. who are sitting in the gloom and shadow of death, I actually long to depart and be with them, to tell With increasing land area went an accompany- them the story of a Saviour's dying love." ing growth in population, industry, transportation, and educational opportunities. Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Prentiss were united in marriage on February 18, 1836, in the Immigration began to swell until in one year little Presbyterian Church in Angelica, N. Y. it shot up from 10,000 in 1825 to 300,000 in 1849. Immediately afterward they started west by In the two decades of 1830 to 1850 two and a sleigh via Elmira, Williamsport, Harrisburg and half million foreigners were added to the popula- Pittsburgh. They were accompanied on this trip tion of the United States. by the two Nez Perce Indian boys, Richard and John, whom Whitman had brought east on his Along with this increasing immigration a move- eventful trip with Parker. Along the route they ment set in which carried westward "16% of all were joined by Rev. and Mrs. Benedict Satterlee. persons born in the Middle Atlantic States, and The party proceeded to Pittsburgh from which nearly 27% of those born in the Southern States." point they journeyed by river boat down the Ohio to Cincinnati where they met the Spaldings. At At the same titne industrial mills began to Cincinnati they outfitted and then took another spring up in various sections of the East, turn- steamer to St. Louis. From there the third boat ing wool and cotton into piece goods and creating
THE WHITMAN-SPALDING CENTENNIAL
carried them to Liberty, Missouri, at which point time of the commissioning of the Whitmans and William H. Gray, joined the party. From there the Spaldin:gs, will observe the centennial in their Spalding and Gray went ahead with the wagons, national gatherings. The Congregational-Chrisexpecting the rest to follow by water to the wagon tian Church, at their annual General Council train's starting point. meeting in Mt. Holyoke, June 16 to 23, will direct the thought of that great denomination to the Left behind by the steamer, whose captain re- contributions of 100 years ago to the missionary fused to stop for the little group, saddened by the enterprise then under their care. The Presbydeath of Mrs. Satterlee the day before, the Whit- terian Church, U. S. A., at the convening meeting mans and the others hurried to overtake Spalding of the General Assembly in May in Syracuse, and Gray, finally catching up with them at the N. Y., will recall the spirit of these early mission- Otoe Indian Reservation and then hurrying on to aries and emphasize the need of a similar pioneerjoin the fur company's wagon train at the Loup ing attitude on the frontiers of present-day life to Fork. win men for Christ.
Then began the long hard trail overland ending CHRISTIAN NEZ PERCE CHILDREN AT KAMIAH TODAY at Vancouver September 12, 1836, which Narcissa Whitman has described so humanly in her diary. Following the Assembly there will be two sig- nificant gatherings in Rushville and Prattsburg, Numerous works deal with the eleven years' N. Y., communities linked up with the early life labor of the missionary group. Writers such as of Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and Henry Harmon Myron Eells in his "Marcus Whitman"; Mowry Spalding. In the old Congregational Church at in his work of the same title; Marshall, Craig- Rushville, Congregationalists and Presbyterians head, Gray, and more recently Drury and Pen- will unite in a commemorative service, and at rose and others, deal with the development of the Prattsburg, the Presbyterians will have as guests mission stations. This period culminated in the officials of the Synod of New York and of the massacre of the Whitmans and twelve others on General Assembly, with officers of the Board of November 29, 1847, at Waiilatpu and for some National Missions. The program will include the years all mission activities at that station and unveiling of a marker to be located at the site of Lapwai were suspended. the boyhood home of Whitman.
Today there is a Presbyterian mission at Tu- Next October the Presbyterian Synod of Idaho tuilla, Oregon, among the descendants of the expects to rededicate the old Spalding Church, to Umatillas, Cayuses, and Nez Perces of Whitman's be restored by a special fund of $10,000 now beday. Spalding's pioneer work bears its fruit in a ing sought by the Board of National Missions of Christian Nez Perce people in Idaho with several the Presbyterian Church, as a memorial to one churches ministering to the spiritual needs of of its pioneer sons. This memorial will conthis loyal people. tinue to serve as the House of God for the pres- ent Nez Perce congregation, and whose spire will The centennial of the founding of this mission ever point upward to Him whose Gospel it was will be observed with appropriate celebrations the joy and glory of Marcus and Narcissa Whitand memorials in different parts of the United man, and Henry and Eliza Spalding to teach and States. live.
In the West the Whitman Memorial Commission of the State of Washington is seeking the Federal Government's participation in the complete restoration of the old mission as it was in Whitman's day. This commission hopes to recreate the buildings as a monument to the heroic sacrifice of that martyred missionary and his associates, and to celebrate the occasion with fitting ceremonies this summer on the campus of Whitman College at Walla Walla, and at Waiilatpu.
In Idaho, the State has purchased twelve aCres of land adjacent to the old Spalding Church to be dedicated as a memorial park in honor of the pioneering contributions of Spalding to Idaho's corporate life. The plans in this State call for a pageant, addresses, and dedication of memorials in May.
In the East two of the great denominations, which cooperated in "The Plan of Union" at the
Shakers of the Pacific
SARA ENDICOTT OBER, of Crescent City, make it his own before he will give evidence of sCiaolniaforyrnisa~rvhiacse had a long history of mis- his approval and acceptance. in the Southern mountains "Eighteen months ago God opened up the way and among the Indians of the Pacific Northw~st. for me and enabled me to go out upon the work She has for the last thirty years been studymg that had burdened my heart for over twenty-five the Shaker Movement among the Indians of Cali- years. Then nearly eighty years old, partially fornia, Oregon and Washington. She writes:* paralyzed, and with serious heart t~ouble I went "In a 'former existence,' as I term the decades forth, rejoicing that my heart's deSIre was to be of my long life, I worked under the American given me. I had very little means, but God led Missionary Association in Tennessee and Ken- me and provided for me, and I sought no o:r;e's tucky ,among the poor whites and the mountain- help, and paid my own expenses, as I have durmg eers. That was for seven years, from 1887 to all the years. 1895. Later I was two years a pastor of several "I lived entirely among the Indians for seven months attended and took part in nearly eighty mission churches in Washington. Shaker 'services, and found I was well received. "I came west over thirty years ago and became Now I can only wait until the way opens for me interested in the West Coast Indians, especially to go up the Coast to every Shaker church not ~et in that great religious movement, the Indian visited. There are those old leaders who so VIO- Shaker religion. For years I have been trying lently oppose the Word, but God will open the to bring it up to a better Gospel standard. Yet way in his own good time, his own good way; so over that 'bridge' between ancient ta-mahn-a- I wait patiently for Him. wous and Christianity have passed thousands of souls from the utter darkness. of paganism, igno- "During my stay with the Indians here the old rance, sin and despair into deliverance from vice, ones told me the most wonderful legends; not at degradation, and drunkenness by a transforma- all grotesque or fantasti.c like mos~ Ind~an ~y~hs, tion into the image of Christ. The 'shakers' wor- but exalted in conceptIOn, beautIful m dICtIOn, shiped in the old Indian way, with the dance; but marvelous in psychic truths, and revealing inthey had a vital conception of Christ-a true wor- sight into natural phenomena and historic events. ship and reverence for the T~iune God-and t~ey While waiting I am putting these in shape for experienced the transformatIOn of heart and hfe pUblication, hoping to save from utter extinction only known through our Saviour Jesus Christ. these chronicles of a fast disappearing race. I They could not read, and even yet none of the have also about two hundred words of their lanolder ones can read, so they refused the Bible, guage, only known to these older ones, and to and were prejudiced against it. But their preju- disappear with their lives into oblivion. These dices were because of the differences and an- legends reveal a strong belief in a ~upreme ~e tagonisms of the religious bodies with whom they ing, a vital conception of the soul, of Immorta~It~, came in contact. of the powers of the supernatural; crude, prImI- tive, but real. I feel that this work is one of vital "For years I have been trying to induce them to accept the Bible, and giving them its truths. importance in revealing the true concepts of I.n- dian hearts, the real nature of these often mIS- Many have accepted them. But most of the lead- understood people. I hope to have these legends ers are strongly opposed, and my work has been and also my history of the Shaker religion ready very slow and hindered in every possible way. During the past year I have visited quite a num- for publication within a few months. ber of Shaker churches in Oregon and California, "During the past twenty years I have been among primitive or backward people. For eig~t and have distributed over a hundred Bibles and een months I have lived in my suitcase. To gam testaments and four hundred small copies of the Gospels. Everyone of these has gone whe;e my information I have 'suffered many things,' it will be read and welcomed. Now I am waIt- odfitret ~ discomfort, privations, extreme fatigue, ing till the Indians are ready for another 'dose,' dangers, which many times threatened for one cannot hurry an Indiim; he must slowly chew, masticate and digest any new food, and death. I have won the confidence of old Indian hearts; have not only received these priceless legends, but have imparted divine consolation, so Am• eFrircoamn aMlisestitoenr atroy DArs.soGceioa.tioWn.. H(inTmheanI,nfdoiramn erShsaekcerer taMryovoefmtehnet many an old Indian has gone into the beyond grew up in connection with the work of Myron Eells, a. Congrega· with hope, courage and solace, instead of utter tiona! missionary to the Puget Sound Indians.) despair and darkness."
[246]
Views on Simple
By MURIEL LESTER, London, England Author of trWays of Prayintt'
A NUMBER of friends came up to visit the pressing satisfaction and quiet confidence. Once Ashram that Dr. P. C. Hsu, the Chinese you taste that sort of joy in comradeship you can- Christian leader, set up in Lotus Valley, not easily go back to the old way." Kuling, during August. It was an experiment in Christian communal living and included sunrise Another missionary contributed her experience. prayer times, hours of devotion, study, discussion "I felt as the last speaker did when I first arrived and writing, as well as doing all the sweeping, here. I'm in country work. Mine was a fairly laundry, cooking and latrine cleaning. large house. I simplified it as much as possible and kept 'open house' foraH Chinese friends. But At an afternoon session one day, a visitor said, the result did not cheer me. My visitors concen- "I do not believe Chinese people really object to trated their attention on every detail of the furnithe difference between the sort of houses we live ture and were so deeply impressed with the money in and their own. They know the needs of for- value of all they saw that they kept inquiring, eigners and don't mind our keeping to our own 'How much did you pay for that?' 'Did you not standards so long as we never assume any atti- give a very high price for that?' This was not tude of superiority." the sort of reaction I had hoped that Christian . A pause followed this remark. The air was fellowship would evoke; these are not the sentiheavy with things unsaid. Then rather quietly a ments that go to make good relationships, good woman missionary began to explain why she citizenship or good character.
could not agree. "When I settled down in China "I set my mind on planning, designing and twelve years ago," she said, "I felt awkward at measuring. I found a bit of land in one of the the obvious solidity and desirability of the house villages I served; it was by a canal side, close to allocated to me. As soon as possible I found a an old stone bridge. I could build a model mud Chinese girl willing to share it, and hoped that brick cottage there at a cost less than a month's our friends of both races, whether business peo- salary. pIe, factory girls, or members of the official and professional class, would feel absolutely at home. "'But you mustn't,' adjured all the villagers, It worked fairly well, but after a time I grew con- 'the spirits of wind and water will surely blow vinced that I was not really manifesting the way you or flood you out of your home before you've of Christ to the people of China. He threw in been in it six months.' his lot with the common people, sharing their disabilities, so that they might share His Good News "Well, that's where I live now. There's nothof God. Our girl friends had come in and out of ing in it that a villager couldn't have except that the house freely; as often as not when I got home I have fourteen windows instead of one. They at night, I would find people sitting by my fire prophesied disaster from those fourteen but none unasked; the chocolate box was always there, has eventuated. Even the one thief who came, purposely left open. Many working girl friends broke in by none of them, but came through the lived in a hostel; these offer little home life un- thatched roof. The mud floors are hardened by less the inmates are drawn together into a fel- elm solution. Except for the ordinary village lowship. Indeed one can be lonelier in a per- beds, tables and benches, the furniture is mostly fectly organized, sanitary and super-respectable made of soap boxes covered inside and out with institution than outside it. It was only after I brown paper. There are shelves round the living had moved into the girl's hostel that I noticed the room to hold dolls, games and books that children width of the gulf I had bridged. I could hear my come in to enjoy. The neighbors now have such fellow lodgers talking with their guests-the in- confidence in me that they leave their babies with credulous exclamation when first the guest heard me for days at a time when the work in the fields who occupied the end room; the girl's reassuring is specially important. I would not change my her as to the actual fact; the tone of voice ex- life for any other."
That afternoon's witness brought to mind other points of view I had heard in China, where gen- [247]
eralizations are impossible, for almost any fact for a neighborhood center, the university on one recorded in one area can be denied in another. side, an industrial area on another, a residential section on a third, a shopping district on the "People who go in for living Chinese are only fourth. trying to curry favor with the people." The second period occurred when the family "It is not fair for individual missionaries to moved upstairs, turned an attic into a kitchen, a lower their standard of living. They ought to passage into a dining room and the guest room remember that this lets down the standards for by night into a nursery by day. The ground floor all of us." was given over to Japanese, and students who had been assiduously attending weekly classes in "These innovators are setting themselves up to Christianity now had the bracing experience of be better than anyone else." being challenged to work out for themselves what they had learned. There had been the usual " 'Take no notice' is the advice one is often hav- amount of ubiquitous criticism of missionary paing to give, for a surprising number of people ternalism, of foreign ways, of double standards have allowed themselves to be intimidated by in living expenses. The missionary hated these such pronouncements." by-products of the selfish capitalist system per- haps more than any of his students did. So when How funny it is, how self-revealing and rather half his house was put at the disposal of the stupathetic, when people talk like that! dents, the manual and even menial work which they all performed together in fellowship, for- All round the world comfortably placed Chris- eigners and Japanese, proved a salutary educatians are developing an uneasy feeling that per- tive force in Christian character building. haps they ought to live less securely; that the reasons they have always put forward as to why The third stage was when the missionary went they are not in the same category as the rich home on leave and his place was taken by a young young man and need not heed Christ's command man, who, having no family, did not even need to him, are wearing a bit threadbare, that even the whole of the second floor himself. All the communists outshine them in some respects. rooms but his own could now be enjoyed by others. When I arrived there on my return visit last Feb- Unconsciously some of them set to work to pro- ruary, I found a new sort of Christian home. duce an alibi for themselves saying, "I'd certainly Four Japanese students and one missionary were go the whole way in following Christ and live living together and sharing expenses and houseamong the poor-if I were unmarried, if I were work. a minister, if I were convinced that there is a God, if I did not owe it to my university, or my It was a rare privilege to take part in their defamily, or my position, to keep up appearances." votions before breakfast and supper, to spend long evenings with them and their nonresident One missionary came to the conclusion, so she friends, discussing the changing national policies explained to me, that people cannot come to know and God's unchanging purpose. Most satisfying God merely by sermons, schools and social work; of all, perhaps, was to do an hour's cleaning with that in the intimacy, the forbearance, the reveal- them before breakfast and to know that one's ing daily routine of ordinary home life, Christ broom and duster were helping to create somecan be more clearly manifested. So this mission- thing significant and eternal. ary opened to the Chinese her family life. She let a student, who was far from home and lonely, *** live in one of her extra rooms. Gradually, as the dire need of each became apparent, she took in The advantages that accrue from living like seven or eight young people of varying ages. One the Chinese were most clearly demonstrated by of them proved to be an opium patient. Imagine the experience of one of my hostesses. She wrote what it cost her even to appear to risk her chil- to her daughter: dren's moral welfare for the sake of a stranger; imagine what it wrought in her of perseverance When we had been out here about a year and a half, in prayer, of actual wrestling with fear, to attain we were sent to open a new station. No foreigners had her final quality of courage and faith. Today she ever lived in Kihsien and none was wanted. It was not can give a record of each member of her synthetic easy to -find anyone willing to rent a house to. us. At family and can note steady improvement in all last an opium user's need of money made him take the of them. risk. Our first home was a one-roomed mud hut with earthen fioor, one paper window and a door made of thick * '* * slabs of wood. We were exceedingly happy in this humble abode with friendly Chinese neighbors everywhere. We Three stages of development were passed had expected to live in such a place when we left the through in a missionary's home in Japan. The States and were a bit disappointed to find the comfort first was marked by brick walls and a solid iron that had been planned for us on arrival in China. As gate, effectually hiding from the eyes of neighbors and passersby the attractive nature of that Christian home, His house was ideally situated the opium habit got a stronger hold on our landlord, he standing, and when her husband proposed one day that gave up more of his place to us. he would push her on his wheelbarrow two days' journey Our next home in the same yard had three rooms and to the nearest hospital, she could· hardly be:ieve her ears.
was made of brick instead of mud. Otherwise it was just By the end of the· journey she was convinced that her the same as the hut which was now converted into a study husband was a new creature in Christ Jesus and she room for girls. It was the kind of house in which middle wanted to find what he had found. Her husband has now class Chinese of the interior live. We put down rough passed on but she and her daughter are still active in the board floors and were very comfortable in these quarters. church work.
As I look back to those early days I can see why that In time the growing work called for reinforcements and was such a happy .spot. Our way of living did not sep- two foreign women were sent out to join us. A new resi- arate us from those whose love and confidence we must dence must be provided and the mission decided that it win before we could hope to lead them to Christ. They must be a foreign two-storied house. With this move we came and went freely with no sense of awkwardness, for built a barrier between us and our people. Things for- many of them were used to coming to that place to see eign were uncommon. Wild rumors were spread about.
our land:ady. Many of them lived in better houses than No matter how often I took people through the house to ours and so possessions did not come in as a barrier to prove that these rumors were false, they always came separate us from our friends. Things often create the away sure that in some closet or in the basement they feeling that we belong to a different class, even when the had seen with their own eyes the proof they needed. They possessor has no such a thought. We have never since, were certain that they had seen dead men's bodies in our it seems to me, grown so completely into the lives of our basement. Also the house created the impression that we Chinese friends. So completely did they fill our lives that were wealthy. The church, which had been large:y self- we were never lonely, though the nearest foreign friends supporting, began to look for foreign funds to carryon.
were a day's journey off. Why not, since we seemed to have so much?
When, after nearly eight years among them, we were *** sent on furlough, it was not an easy parting. When Daddie went off on his long country trips and I was shut In concluding this article I must refer to my up at night in the city, the on:y foreigner, all sense of own recent leisurely hot weather program of fear or loneliness was absent for I was surrounded with loving friendliness. On one of these occasions I was taken visiting rural reconstruction centers. with their very ill and seemed to be dying of cholera. So great is farmers' cooperatives, newly set-up clinics and the superstitious fear of a departing spirit that even my short-term schools. I have had a month or two faithful servant, Mrs. Tsao, did not dare to come into my of travel, staying in remote districts, occupying bedroom. She had only left her old ways a short time. a mud hut or part of a mud brick house, which I do not recall now any concern for myself, but I dis- already sheltered ten families of villagers. tinctly remember the look of anxiety on M·rs. Tsao's face Canned milk was especially provided for me, as she would peep through a crack in the door or through sugar, bread, bedding, water and basin. A dea hole in the paper window.
Another who taught us much beside the meaning and lightful experience for a month or so. One's pronunciation of Chinese words was our cultured and dig- mind kept reverting, however, to the stalwarts, nified teacher, a true product of Confucian ideals. I had to stumble on to the fact that the cosmic Christ has been the quiet behind-the-scenes missionaries, lovers of revealing some Truth to the Chinese sages long before the Christ who have been steadfastly preparing the missionaries ever reached China. The classics were as way for today's renaissance movement, tramping sacred to my teacher as the Bible was to me. Whenever these roads, being jolted in springless carts, week we found the same truth revealed in both his books and in, week out, for years, itinerating sometimes ten my Bible, we had a time ofrejoicing. Jesus said that He months out of the twelve. Noone goes on before had come not to destroy, but to fulfil, and so I used to to get mosquito lotion or "flit" for them. They memorize all such places pointed out to me by Mr. Ma, sleep in the house of any poorest villager who inconvinced that Christ is the full revelation of God. One evening at our vesper fellowship hour when all in the vites them. Canned milk and sugar perform no compound, together with any neighbors who wished to join us, gathered together for a time of informal worship, appetizing function for them. Their morning and Mr. Ma had his first vital sense of God as revealed in evening meals consist of millet porridge minus Jesus Christ. With dignified tread he walked up and even salt, which is a luxury to them. Midday down the little earthen hall of worship, his face all lit by food is rice and a little vegetable for them. Yet the light of God within, and he kept repeating quietly, these, I have found, are for the most part the "I have found what I long have sought." happiest, the most serene foreigners one can find Also there was that yamen runner, most dreaded by all in China today.
in our district because of his merciless ways of extorting money from the people, who in one of these evening hours of worship wept and asked God to be merciful to him, a What does the Church stand for? It stands to sinner. He confessed that there was no sin he had not offer men Christ; to tell men that way of life is committed. But he was most broken up by the fact that possible by which they become sons of God; that he had sold his brother's widow into slavery. As people life can be victoriously lived; that Christ offers a met him, they would ask each other, "Can this really be the same man we have so dreaded?" His wife whom he reinforced personality, an inward serenity, an treated with less consideration than he treated his donkey, infectious gaiety, an outgoing love which would was frightened by the changed man she saw in their home. invite the whole world not into a system of belief She thought that he must have eaten some foreign medi- primarily, but into an experience which spells the cine and that when the effects had passed off he would be mastery of the art of living. worse than ever. She had a leg with a bad sore of long
to Captives in Portugal*
By JOSE ILIDIO FREIRE, ROSE MATHEZ, and E. R. HOLDEN, Quinta do Almaraz, Almada, Portugal JOHN HOWARD, the English Christian philan- wrote reqqesting further supplies of such books. thropist and pioneer of prison reform, visited As a result of this work there was formed in the prisons of Spain and Portugal in 1783. He left on record the statement that the main the Lisbon penitentiary a nucleus of converted prisons of Lisbon were comparatively praise- men. Interviews must take place in the parlaworthy. In the Limoeiro, which is still the cen- torio, where the convict and his visitor are septral jail, he found 774 prisoners. This prison had arated by a thick pane of glass flanked by strips been the Royal Palace to which, in 1387, was of sheet iron, perforated to enable conversation brought the English princess, Philippa of Lan- to be carried on without any opportunity to pass caster, daughter of John of Gaunt and bride of anything from hand to hand. Dom J 03.0 I of Portugal. This Lisbon prison accommodates six hundred In 1868, two English ladies resident in Oporto, convicts, and it is always full. Men under sen- Mrs. Hastings, wife of a merchant, and her sister, tence of penal servitude are first sent there and Miss Frederica Smith who married the United later to Monsanto jail, where they serve part of States Consul, Mr. Fletcher, began to visit the their sentences. Relagao prison in that city. To the initiative of Mrs. Fletcher is largely due the modern Evan- Alfredo Oliveira and Eduardo Moreira gelical movement in Oporto. Not long after we had begun to receive letters During many years after Mrs. Hastings' death, from inmates of the Lisbon penitentiary, there Evangelical and philanthropic work in the prisons came one from Alfredo Oliveira, asking to be of Oporto became restricted to the distribution of given lessons in English. He expected to be de- Christmas gifts and occasional evangelistic ad- ported to Angola where a knowledge of this landresses at Christmas or Easter. More recently, guage would be of use. He was an attractive contact with individual convicts was again estab- young fellow, intelligent and well educated, but lished, mainly through educational work; but at who had led a life of dissipation, culminating in present a not well disposed governor brought the the murder of an army officer. Being alone in work practically to a standstill. The work in the world, he yearned for friendship. This con- Lisbon and Coimbra jails, though more recent, tact afforded me an opportunity to establish more has made progress. intimate contact within the prison, and I had the privilege of leading Alfredo to Christ. A little Twenty years ago Dona Manuela Nunez, a later another convict obtained permission to share Spanish lady who was in the habit of distributing the lessons, but he never showed the same interest tracts in hospitals, gave a tract to a soldier. in spiritual things. Later this man committed a theft, for which he was dismissed from the army and was sent to From the Lisbon penitentiary the work spread prison. The name and address of Mr. George to Coimbra through the instrumentality of Gil- Howes, the publisher of the tract was fixed in his berto Francisco, a man who was transferred from memory and he wrote from the Limosiro prison the Lisbon. He distributed tracts among his requesting a visit. Mr. Howes passed on the re- mates in the workshops and several commenced quest to me, and I thus commenced my mission correspondence with me. The Coimbra penitenin the jails. tiary accommodates 270 convicts, and at one time we were in correspondence with over 25% of By the time this prisoner, Mauricio Silva, was them. – transferred to the Lisbon penitentiary, he had numerous tracts and other Christian literature The Rev. Eduardo Moreira came to reside in which he began to distribute among his fellow Coimbra and obtained permission to hold a weekly convicts. The result was that several of them service in this jail. He was even permitted to baptize several convicts, to officiate at two prison th: J:~~h~~r~/G:3·~o~~~~I~~ WorW Dominion and is supported by weddings and to celebrate the Lord's Supper. Later a hostile governor put a stop to all the Evan- [250 ] gelical work, and men who had professed conver- day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late for you. You sion were subjected to severe restrictions. Now know not the day of your death, and what if it should more liberal conditions once more prevail. surprise you in your sins? God may not patiently wait many years for you as He did for me, so I urge you to In Lisbon permission has been given me to hold forsake your sins this very day and accept Jesus Christ, services in the Limoeiro and Monsanto jails, but our Lord, as your Saviour. Thus alone will you enjoy not in the penitentiary. In the Limoeiro the aver- true happiness in this world of corruption and deceit. age attendance at Evangelical meetings is over Satan doesn't slumber, and he will dog your steps con- 150. At both places we receive a most attentive tinually lest he lose a victim. He even strives to win back hearing, so that thousands have heard the Gospel those who are no longer his. This he is seeking to do to and not a few have given evidence of conversion me and my family, keeping me from finding work and during these last fourteen years. Thousands of trying us in all sorts of ways. But my soul is no longer copies of the Scriptures, as well as tracts and his, and will never again be his, as the precious blood of other Evangelical literature, have been distrib- Jesus Christ our· Lord has purged me from my sins and uted and circulated. His divine grace cheers and strengthens me in all my troubles, Jesus having said: "Him that cometh unto Me When an unknown prisoner writes, asking for I will in no wise cast out." information or for tracts, he receives a reply and a number of tracts suitable for such enquirers. Oh my God and Father, I pray for sinners, that Thou If he responds intelligently, he is sent more tracts, wilt touch their hearts. I pray for those who already and if these have been productive, a New Testa- belong to Thee, especially for our missionary brethren in ment is given. For the supply of the Scriptures Africa who are facing so many and great difficulties. I and other literature the work is much indebted to pray that they aU may have their hearts warmed by Thy the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Re- love and that they may be granted Thy wisdom in proligious Tract Society. claiming the way of salvation-and all I ask through the merits and for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Many prisoners, deported to Angola, have kept Saviour: Amen. up correspondence with me and not a few have got into touch with missionaries in the colony. Four years ago, I gave a tract entitled "The One man proved of valuable assistance in this Drummer Boy" to a man in Monsanto jail, Anwork. He was subsequently pardoned and has tonia Correia, a peasant farmer from a village returned to Portugal. near the Spanish frontier, who had been caught and conviCted for smuggling false banknotes. He Many of the wardens in the prisons I visit are our friends and appreciate what is done for the wrote to me, and I kept in touch with him prisoners, being impressed by the change in the throughout the two years of his sentence. On his conduct of the converted men. release, he returned to his native village, Esper- an<;a, and began to tell his relatives and friends of Discharged prisoners have great difficulty in his faith in Christ. He gave away all his tracts finding employment and the families of those in and books, and wrote for more. Being popular in jail are often badly in need of help. the neighborhood, he was given a good hearing, and his friends were struck by the change in his An Appeal to Prisoners life. He continues steadfast in his faith and there is great interest in the Gospel among his fellow The following extract is translated from an ap- villagers. peal by Mauricio Silva, published not long ago in the "Prisoners' Section" of 0 Caminho (The Two years ago, I received an unexpected visit Way) a little paper I edit. This man to whom from another ex-convict to whom I had given a was due, under God, the initiation of our work in Testament ten years previously. Through many the prisons, returned from Angola a year and a ups and downs, he had never wholly lost sight of half ago, on completion of his sentence. He the truths he had found in the Word of God. He wrote: is now leading a steady Christian life, and his four children are members of our Sunday school. Oh Lord, our God and Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast preserved my life till today in a world of corruption, The Conversion of Alves Reis sin and untruth, in order that I may acknowledge how great a sinner I was, and how vainly I strove against sin The most outstanding conversion is, however, till at last I won through, strengthened by Christ, our that of Alves Reis, a brilliantly clever youth. In Lord and our Saviour. 1918, at the age of 22~ he was manager of the state railways of Angola, and shortly afterwards After describing his early resistance to the was appointed Inspector of Public Works for that striving of the Holy Spirit from the time when he colony. He became imbued with a great ambiwas impressed by the tract given him in the hos- tion for the development of Angola, and his ferpital till my visits to him in jail and his conver- tile brain devised grandiose schemes to this end. sion, he continues: The need of capital on a vast scale led him to plan the fraud which ruined him. By means of forged . . . but let me impress upon you, Brothers, that you correspondence, purporting to be from the Bank should not postpone your decision, as I did: today is the
of Portugal, he induced the Bank's own printers deep-rooted hatred of Reis, as the man who had to print an issue of duplicate banknotes which been his undoing. Ultimately, however, he bewas to total £3,000,000. This involved his mak- came interested in the Gospel and was so iming use of various accomplices, including the Por- pressed by the radical change in his enemy that tuguese Minister at the Hague and his brother, the two met daily for prayer and study of the who were given to understand that he had been Bible. Silva was set at liberty and is now in a intrusted with the promoting of this special note good position in Oporto. issue under a State secret. On the strength of these bogus notes, Reis floated the Banco Angola A few days ago I received a letter from a e Metropole, which was to finance the many de- stranger in the penitentiary, asking me to visit velopment schemes he had conceived. him. This man, Santos Carvalho, had been a rail- way clerk and he is now under sentence in con- Overconfidence led to his undoing and arrest; nection with forgery. Religiously inclined, he subsequently he sank lower and lower in crime, joined the Roman Catholic catechism class in the seeking to defend himself by falsely incriminating jail and he purchased an expensive Roman Cathprominent men. When he seemed doomed to fail- olic edition of the Bible which he read carefully. ure, Reis attempted suicide by means of poison; It seemed to him that some of the doctrines and but he took an overdose, and lived. practices of the Church were not in agreement with what he found in the Scriptures. He drew up In prison, Reis came across an ex-army officer a list of these points, which he sought to put forwho had a Bible and read it. Reis borrowed this ward in the class but the teacher refused. A .Bible with a view to proving its worthlessness and priest was sent to enlighten him, which he failed absurdity. Instead, the Book aroused his interest to do, so Carvalho applied to me. He placed beand he made a careful study of it. He sought fore me his list of perplexities, which, with God's help from a distinguished priest of the Roman help, I was able to solve to his satisfaction. Two Catholic Church, and felt impelled to make con- of the points raised were concerning auricular fession of his crimes, first to this priest, then to confession and sacerdotal absolution. his wife and lastly in open court, to the.astonishment of everybody throughout the country. He Alves Reis and Carvalho provide two instances took full blame to himself and exonerated all of men enlightened by the unassisted reading of those he had been accusing. the Scriptures.
Reading Reis' confession in the papers, an old In Lisbon, stimulated by what was taking place schoolmate, grandson of the lady whose tract dis- among the men, interest was aroused on behalf tribution in the Military Hospital had led indi- of the women. An opportunity came to obtain. rectly to the commencement of our prison work, entry to the Monicas prison when I was asked to felt impelled to send him some of Mr. Howes' visit a young woman convict, a Communist of tracts. Russian extraction. I was told later by the lady superintendent, now my friend, that I was within For six years Reis has been "growing in grace an ace of being arrested as suspect when, a and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour stranger and a foreigner, I sought permission to Jesus Christ." A visit to him is usually a spir- visit this girl ! itual tonic for he has a wonderfu.l grasp of Scriptural Christianity. Not a few have learned to go The Monicas is not a gloomy prison. A oneto him for prayerful counsel. time convent, cloistered and built around a spa- cious courtyard, it is sunlit and airy, whitewashed Reis' conversion was later followed by that of throughout, spotlessly clean and orderly. It achis wife, who, in contrast to the life of luxury she commodates all the long-term female convicts of led in the days of her husband's ephemeral pros- the country and a considerable number of shorlperity, is having a hard struggle to make ends term women from Lisbon and its environs, bemeet for herself and their three boys. When Reis tween 220 and 250 in all. Three years ago I obrepented and confessed, he was received into the tained permission to hold weekly services and now Roman Catholic Church and influential religious the average attendance at our meetings is bepeople befriended him and his family. When, tween thirty and forty. Many a dark, sin-stained later, he was impelled by his conscience enlight- face lights up when listening to the message of ened by the Scriptures to sever his connection salvatron. We see to it that all who can read with that church, his boys were turned out of the possess a Testament or a Gospel; but, unforparochial school. He has received visits from the tunately, the majority are illiterate. Some well- Cardinal-Patriarch, the highest church dignitary educated women attend our meetings, among them in Portugal, and other ecclesiastics, downwards, a young graduate of Oporto University, convicted offering him material advantages. of being implicated in a murder. She was then an avowed atheist and up in arms against all the One of Reis' dupes, Adriano Silva, manager of the Oporto branch of the bogus bank, nurtured a
PIONEERING IN TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS
world. She would listen to nothing we could say, she has been at liberty for some time without havbut in answer to prayer, little by little her bitter- ing repeated her former encounters with the ness was overcome; she began to attend the meet- police. ings and finally she was converted. She now says, "I deserve all the suffering I have brought on my- Last Christmas, through the kindness of the self; but I know God has pardoned my sins." Director General of Prisons, we were permitted She witnesses to this by her changed life, seeking to give a lantern slide lecture on the life of Christ, to honor and serve her Saviour among her prison at whi,ch all the convicts were present. What a joy companions. She says, "When I am free, I shall it was to have this opportunity to tell of the become a missionary," reckoning little on the love of God to so many sin-stained, burdened twenty-four long years in jail stilI ahead of her hearts. They paid rapt attention and evinced unless her sentence should be in part remitted. much gratitude.
Another interesting case is that of a woman of When prisoners leave the jail, those who wish good family and social standing, whose outrageous it are given the address of the Evangelical church behavior has landed her time and again in jail. or mission hall nearest their home. We do not She was the terror alike of wardressesand fellow seek to persuade them to adopt a new religion, convicts, but by degrees the Word of God pierced but aim at leading them to God by means of His her heart as she read the New Testament and Word and into "newness of life." listened to the Gospel. A great change in her life was observed by all in contact with her, and now Will you remember in prayer the work in the prisons of Portugal (2 Cor. 1, 11), thus partici- pating in it and in the resultant rejoicing.
Pioneering in Tennessee Mountains C OMFORTABLY settled in districts that of- companion and a young man and his wife as help- fer every advantage of material civilization, ers, are stationed at Smyrna, near Byrdstown, many of us are prone to forget the multi- Tennessee. It is forty miles from a railroad. tude of things that others must go without, things There are no graduate doctors or trained preachthat we count as essentials to health and effective ers in this district. One of the preachers is a service. We are so accustomed to electricity farmer and the other works in a mill-each of and gas, to well-heated houses and an abundance them scarcely able to read. For a funeral they of pure water that we sometimes forget the en- send to Kentucky for a minister to preach the tire lack of such facilities in arctic mission sta- sermon. tions like Barrow, Alaska, in the jungles of Africa or the outposts of China. Accustomed as Miss Stewart lives in a little four-room shack we are to letter carriers, and rapid transportation, -half of logs and half of boards. In very cold to doctors and hospitals, to shops and filling sta- weather the little wood-burning cookstove cannot tions, we are prone to forget those who have mail heat the kitchen. "One day," she writes, "with and produce delivered once a year, and who may our table pushed within one foot of the stove, the be weeks or more from the nearest trained doc- milk in the pitcher froze, and when coffee was tor. But it is to such outpost stations that many left for a few minutes in the cups it froze solid." missionaries go to carry the Gospel of Christ. At night the two workers took turns keeping the They go gladly and voice no complaints because wood fire going to keep from freezing. Describof hardships. It is well for us to become ac- ing the mountain district, Miss Stewart says: quainted with the life of these courageous pioneers, and to share with them some of our trans- "Our work centers about Lovelady, Smyrna and portable privileges. Fairview – all on rural routes from Byrdstown which, by the way, is the smallest county seat in One of the many stations that it would be in- the United States. At the end of five weeks in teresting to visit is on a high windswept plateau this community we had five flourishing organizain the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee tions, and two more groups are begging for atwhither has gone a refined and educated gray- tention; and Fairview wants a Sunday school. haired woman as an ambassador of Christ. She The work of Elizabeth, my helper, has been chose the place because of its need and lovingly greatly blessed. She has the young people's orministers to the people with the skill and energy ganizations at Smyrna and Lovelady, in every that would put to shame many a strong man. session of each she makes plain the way of sal- Miss Anna Belle Stewart, with a young woman vation and gives opportunity for decisions for Christ. Several who have never attended any
religious meetings before have become much in- them to worship-nothing to make Sunday differterested in spiritual things and have asked for ent from any other day. When the people are so prayer and promised to pray for themselves. The anxious to have a Christian leader the work should Sunday school superintendent at Lovelady said go well from the first. It is a wonderful field for the young people would follow Elizabeth through service. There has been no Sunday school in this neighborhood nor in the adjoining communities. fire. There are difficulties and problems but unlimited opportunities for service and growth. "In a small scattered community in. zero weather she has a class of over 25 and a young Ohristmas in the Mountains people's group of over 30. There were three Christians when she first took them. There are "We came to the field so late last autumn, that now five and you can almost see them grow. things would not be in good shape for Christmas, Elizabeth has asked all five Christians to lead in but it has aU opened up wonderfully. The first prayer and four promised gladly while the fifth, Sunday we were here, two schools were organized a fine young lad, said, 'Holy smoke, I never have.' and plans were made for programs, drilling vol- But he will. They are doing a great many things unteers for crude attempts at portraying the that they have never done before! Every Wednes- Scripture story of Christmas. Their enthusiastic day night we have the Smyrna young people presentation of the sacred scenes was in sharp here and Thursday night we have the· Lovelady contrast to stately pageants but they caught the group at their schoolhouse. All the night meet- true meaning of Christmas. Little tots squealed ings are at six or half-past six, but people come as they recognized their elder brothers in wise at five o'clock. Twice we missed our meal, before men and shepherds. we learned! Last Saturday afternoon I turned over the junior organization at Smyrna to Eliza- "The village of Lovelady seems thrilled over beth so that I could take the corresponding group having a Sunday school, even wading the deep at Lovelady. The program in these four organ- snow in wholly inadequate foot gear, with babies izations include Bible study, chorus music instruc- snug in blankets and toddlers riding paternal tion, a social gathering and work for others. How shoulders. The little portable organ is a neverthey love it! ending delight to them, and how they do sing! For the first time in all our years of carrying "More than sixty years ago, a rough board Christmas joy by your gifts, the people of Lovechurch house was built, innocent of paint or any lady felt the urge to make immediate return. decoration. With a few planks missing and a Even before the Christmas eve distribution was hole burned in one side where a lamp once ex- complete, some of the householders had gone into ploded it still st~nds the joint property of several a huddle from which the bravest emerged to ask denominations which seem to have abandoned the shyly, 'Would you-all be insulted if we'd bring you church and tl).e people. Of late years this com- some presents? All we have to give is just 'taters munity has been sadly neglected. One old man and canned stuff and a little fresh meat.' Being said, 'Old Smyrnie was once a godly and reli- assured that their gifts were exactly what we needed, they went away to butcher hogs and apgious neighborhood. When we met together we pear early Christmas morning with a poor little talked of the goodness of the Lord and now we topless car loaded full of delectable food. are everyone back-slidden.' In sentences broken by sobs he told of his joy in having someone to "The Smyrna people did not wait until Christtalk to them of the Lord and to explain the Bible. mas. Ever since we came, generous offerings He left the first group meeting, praising God and have been appearing .with such regularity that declaring his determination to come back into a only a few staples, such as flour and sugar, have close walk with Him. As we visited from house had to be bought. Little gifts blossomed mysto house, opening the Word and praying for the teriously on the Christmas trees. One of the wise households and community, a number of the older men volunteered to tend fires. The wife of 'Jospeople wept, remembering former days and again eph' in the pageant came with meat and stayed renewed their allegiance to the Lord. The weeks for Christmas dinner. The family of the 'Christof work in that field were a real joy. The people mas angel' entertained us all with a crude little begged to have a worker sent in and their former battery radio and real refreshments. All day the church organization renewed. They asked for a neighbors kept dropping in 'to let us know that Sunday school and for something for their young we were among friends and to keep us from being people who are growing up with nothing to call homesick.' "
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN CCC CAMPS
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN 000 OAMPS One of the most effective ways that chaplains have found of reaching the hearts and consciences of the large number of workers in Civilian Conservation Corps camps has been through Pocket Testaments supplied by The American Bible Society, Pocket Testament League and other organizations.
It is discovered that many of these young men, though coming from public schools and living near churches, have never owned a Testament, nor have they had any religious instruction. Most of them show an eager readiness to receive these Testaments and by this means opportunities are offered to reach their families with the Gospel of Christ. From twenty-five states come testimonies as to the effectiveness of this work. The Testaments are of great value for Sunday schools and Bible classes in "Chapter-a-Day" Clubs, for personal devotions and as a guide to Christian faith and life, and for personal work in soul winning.
Some Testimonies of Ohaplains "We have used the Testaments in Sunday school especially in the infirmaries and hospitals." Ken- many times. On some occasions they were the only tucky. Christian literature we had. . . . It is not an unusual thing to go into a hut-building and find a group dis- "I have never seen one New Testament go out by cussing what they read or have read in the Testa- way of the waste basket. They are kept and they are ments or Gospels." Al(})bama. prized." Massachusetts.
"The boys are so eager for copies that they flock "One young enrollee has gone back to his native around me like a bunch of chickens around an old state to continue his studies looking toward the min- hen. My only regret is that I do not have enough istry, as the result of an interest aroused by a Bible for everyone. . . . They regard it as a high privilege class in his CCC Camp." Minnesota. to be the possessor of one of these New Testaments. Many of them have seen life at a different angle after "In one of the camps where I distributed about fifty they have studied these Testaments. Send us 1,200 Testaments a young man who had been wayward and more copies; they will have their influence upon the ungodly came to me privately and said that the Testayouth of America." Arkansas. ment I had given him had set him thinking, and that he wanted to join a church in the town near by." "We have regularly organized Bible discussion Ohio. groups in each camp. I never give a Testament unless men ask for it. . . . Many of the boys have "I have had CCC boys in my services who were never had any sort of Bible or part of one and they never in a religious service of any kind before. . . . have never been given the op,portunity to read one." This is the greatest opportunity to reach the un- Florida. reached, and to carry the printed Word to those still in darkness." Tennessee. "I have seen a general change in the atmosphere in the camps since distributing the Testaments." "I have been truly amazed to find boys who are so Georgia. hungry to read the Bible. I have seen as many as twelve boys resting at the lunch hour in the woods "As evidence of the enthusiasm and interest, a num-' 'on the job' reading the Testaments." Vermont. ber of readers have come to me with questions regarding the meaning of various passages." Illinois. "I have been on this duty for two years, in Cali- fornia and Washington, and it has been my happy "In one camp a Bible class meets regularly each privilege to personally place in the hands of mem- Sunday evening and the work of the class has done bers of our various companies several hundred Testamuch to heighten the morale of the entire camp." ments. I have never had sufficient numbers to supply Indiana. the demand. No one can possibly estimate the good accomplished." Idaho. "Out of approximately 2,100 boys in ten camps I have between five and six hundred signed up in 'Chap- "Eighty-three boys in one camp came to me at the ter-a-Day' clubs. In order to become a member, a car asking for Testaments." Michigan. signer must agree to read a chapter a day of whatever portion of the Bible is agreed upon. I shall endeavor "I would like to have Spanish Testaments for the to carryon this program. Without these Testaments Spanish-speaking men. They would read much more such a program would have been impossible." Iowa. if they could have the New Testament in their own language." New Mexico. "Many who are timid and afraid to take aNew Testament in front of the whole company will come "I've seen more than 12,000 boys in the past fourafter dark and ask for a copy. They really desire a teen months of service, and never have I seen anycopy and will use it." Kansas. thing more worth while in the way of soul-building and character-building. This is the greatest oppor- "In my evening visits to the barracks I often see tunity that the United States ever had in building for boys lying on their bunks reading the New Testament, future citizens." Oklahoma.
TherBe uatrethtehroeusiasnadsshoofrytaoguengofmTenesitnamcaemntpss,anodthcehratphlaanincs,crea,thfoerr than a lack of opportunity. which no chaplains are pro- vided. Why cannot these be served by ministers and laymen from neighboring churches and by ministers without charges? Good literature might also be supplied from the surplus in many homes. Write to the Federal Council of Churches (105 East 22d Street, New York) for information as to this work, which one layman, R. C. Tillinghast, calls "The greatest evan- gelistic opportunity the United States has ever had." I Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRI:l. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS of Joash is at your service to help The 13 tracts in the order in which MONEY you bring money again into the house they would be used were inserted in of the Lord. a loose-leaf notebook, one copy of It is the greatest partnership which was given to every teacher, in the world and the most profit- MINISTER: 0 most gracious king, pupil and home in the church. So the able but one which, like com- we accept your offer. Let the Chest entire school with the exception of mercial partnerships, suffers of J oash be brought in that it may re- the beginners' department: studied from fluctuations and depres- ceive the gifts of those who worship tithing for a quarter. sions. "The money question," here. like "the poor," we have always The result was that there ensued with us. As the time for set- (Trumpets sound at the rear of the largest number of tithers in the ting up the every member can- the sanctuary. Bearers of the chest, history of the church. Cards were vass in many denominations preceded by the trumpeters, bring it merely passed out and the member- draws near, we submit the fol- down the aisle and place it on the ship so inclined signed up voluntarily. lowing spiritualized plans for communion table while the organ The fol!owing month the church debt church use on a background of plays a march. The trumpeters pro- was paid off. Three months later a the long article on "Concerning ceed to the king and conduct him to building program was started using the Collection," pp. 363-4 in THE the chest, where he places his offering $5,000, three-fourths of which was REVIEW last July which gives and goes back again to his station. cleared off in one year. The tithing the undergirding principles of The minister follows the king, then instruction was then dropped for two the subject. Leaders in all de- the choir and the congregation pass years, after which the workers' conpartments of church life, inclu- the chest and deposit their offerings ference was again called to consider sive of the pastor, may profit therein. When all is completed, chest the tithe and it was decided to repeat from the plans sent in for our bearers, trumpeters and the king the teaching. It was to be used as a consideration. quietly withdraw. Costumes borrowed background for a drive in favor of a from a friendly lodge made this serv- new educational building. Another J oash Chest Service ice very effective.) supply of tithing tracts was ordered from which each teacher made his The Pastor's Journal tells of a A Great Adventure with selection and gave his instruction for simple pageant which proved of great the Tithe a month, thus avoiding the expense of value for balancing the budget in a making the loose-leaf notebooks. (The church of Linton, Indiana. After out- In The Christian Observer, drive, we take it, is yet in process.) lining the financial situation the pas- Rev. J. M. McKnight tells of his tor asked: surprise, when he started out to Every person who had tithed for study the tithe, in finding the past year was asked to write out "And now, my friends, what shall neither anyone book or Bible his experience in 50 words or less, the we do?" school quarterly teaching or ex- resulting material being mimeo- plaining it to the children. He graphed and sent through the mail to Trumpets immediately sounded at urges our lesson committee to every home of the church and Bible the door at the left of the pulpit and insert into the three-year cycle school. Four or five of the best testias the door opened King J oash was of lessons one whole quarterly monies were printed each week in the discovered at the entrance. on tithing so that at least once church bulletin. The experiences of in three years the important persons in the community whom the J OASH : I am J oash, the son of matter might be studied inten- membership had known for years Ahaziah, the king of Judah. In my sively. His (abbreviated) ac- proved vastly more impressive than reign, the temple of Jehovah needed count of his own experience is any from far-away places. The Layrepairs and we had not the money to as follows: men's Company has been asked to do it. When I heard your appeal, I select the best of the leaflets and comcame back among men to tell you how The only material to be found on bine them in a booklet or Bible school my subjects brought gold into the the subject was about 40 tracts and quarterly – which might be done if temple of the living God. three or four booklets put out by the more than one church agreed to use Laymen's Company, of Chicago, all of the material. MINISTER: Say on, a king. which he read and evaluated -as to its availability for pupils of the different How a Missionary Offering JOASH: Jehoiada, the priest, took a ages, selecting 13, which he asked the Was Doubled chest, bored a hole in its lid and put departmental superintendents to read it at the right side of the altar of the and pass an opinion upon as to their Mrs. C. F. W. Froelich tells in Lord. And those who came into the suitability for the different age The Sunday School Times of the house of the Lord to worship put groups. Then dropping out the reg- success of an experiment in therein their offering. And behold, a ular lessons for a whole quarter they faith: very great sum was brought in and proceeded to substitute their own matherewith we repaired the house of terial, making their own quarterlies. In the small Bible school with an the Lord. And now, behold the Chest enrolment of 50 and an average at- [256 ] tendance of 26, it had been the cus- tom to pay local expenses and send
EFFECTIVE W.NYS OF WORKING
anything left over to missions. But contributions of the total given a dinner at the close. A leader on rally day three years ago the su- for missions during the pre- was appointed for each division, perintendent produced a lighthouse ceding year. Thus "the status and each leader, in turn, selected and announced that henceforth all of a 'Forward Fund' church may five lieutenants. Every leader birthday pennies would be placed be reached at any time of the distributed the books and booktherein as a one-hundred percent of- year because a church will be so lets among the contestants, fering for missions. This objective listed in the first month that gathering up and redistributing was made a matter of prayer among sees its giving for the year rise teachers and children, but birthdays above the amount produced in the material each Wednesday were few and ages discouragingly far the 12 months ending April 30, and Saturday evenings and rebelow the Methusalean standard. So 1935." A "Forward Fund List at the first of the new year anyone of Individuals" is also published cording the score at the rate of willing to place an extra offering in in some sections. Any donor from five to 20 points per unit the lighthouse was invited to do so giving more than the amount according to the length of the and the heretofore impossible goal of contributed last year becomes a publications and the value of $25 a year was set. contributor to the Forward Fund. their contents. This was con- Each Sunday the superintendent tinued for four weeks and each held up the different coins and had The women are using a poster Sunday the complete score of the children count the offering for the in which a rainbow-colored road dav, the total being placed on the appears whenever the member- each division was posted on a blackboard so that all might see the ship of a church gives over-and- bulletin boa r d. Scriptural fund grow. Then as the offerings above offerings. On this poster teaching, experiences of tithers, were sent out to different individuals a quarter measures one inch, outlines of methods of proceor countries, corresponding "rays" which is taken as the unit of were drawn out from a blackboard progress on the Road to Tri- dure, etc., were exploited in the lighthouse and marked with the umph. "Multiplying this in reading matter. The dinner at amount and the names of the objec- linear measure we find a foot is the close furnished one of the tives. When the last Sunday of the $3.00, a yard $9.00, a rod $50.00, best social occasions of the year. year rolled around, the total year's a furlong $2,000.00, a quarteroffering was counted and amounted to mile $4,000.00, and a mile $16,- But better still, this intensive $51.25. The goal had been more than 000.00. Thirty-one and one- reading for four weeks gave the doubled! fourth miles will bring us to the people a wider outlook and deep- goal." Starting the following year with ened sense of obligation to the enlarged faith, the new goal of $75.00 But this financial goal is only Owner of all. The minister acwas set, with the result that the last secondary, the main objective centuated this by preaching a month of the 12 showed a total of being a spiritual advance. "The $103.35! And this in a church where Forward Fund is a banner, a strong· sermon on the duty of "most of the children are poor and guerdon carried in the van of a every individual to make an honthe depression has hit all of us." pageant whose line of march en- circles the world. . . . Even as est return to the Giver of life, Now the missionary program has men and women form a living ability, strength and possess;ons been extended to the homes. Small, wall along the route of the Big attractive brass lighthouses have been Parade, so Baptists of every -this as a climax to the study. secured and 25 have been given out race and clime are watching New pledges to become tithers already, some going to other Bible with eager interest for the Bapschools wishing to try the plan and tist host to appear." were signed by 115 of the conthe rest to homes of the congregation. gregation; and those 115, says The fund keeps growing month by Stewardship Reading Contest the writer, gave more to the supmonth and the adventure of faith goes on. A regular schedule of dis- Church Business* tells of a port of the church and its benevbursement has been agreed upon. strong and very successful plan olences than all the other mem- The sum received each month is de- used in Trinity M. E. church of bers together. So this method voted to that month's objective, con- Oswego, N. Y., in which infor- was strongly attested in action. cerning which the children have been mation proved the key to the informed through stories. Several pocketbook. A general commit- Another article in Church returned missionaries are called in to tee was appointed to arrange Business says that the basic speak in the course of the year. and supervise details for a con- test in which books on Steward- idea, as conceived by the First [Anyone desiring further information ship were selected and given out about the lighthouse plan may write Mrs. to all adults willing to join in a Christian church of Pampa, Froelich at 131 Homer St., Waterville, friendly contest, the congrega- Conn.] tion being divided into East and Texas, is to give the stewardship West, the losing side to furnish of money a very vital place in The Forward Fund • Duplex Envelope Co., Richmond, Va. the life of each member and This year the Northern Bap- Copyrighted. show that the financial support tists have instituted a movement of the church is not a necessary called The Forward Fund Proj- evil but a means of grace and blessing to the individual Chrisect which, in terms of money, is tian. This church uses the Uniintended to increase missionary fied Budget plan, making its sucreceipts by half a million dol- cess hinge upon adequate preplars in two years ending April 30, 1937. In its new terminol- aration for the annual canvass ogy, a "Candidate" church is by full publicity, etc., and havone making missionary' contributions in excess of the amount ing a careful follow-up program paid d uri n g corresponding all through the year. The minmonths in 1934-35; a "Forward ister, faced by difficult financial Fund" church is one making conditions in the current ex- pense and building debts, bor-
rowed books from the Duplex ice, have young people distribute a meeting in the interests of library and settled upon "The small plain envelopes and pen- boys' work was held at which Sunday School and the Church cils-one to each family repre- the subjects for discussion Budget" (Arthur Flake) as the sented. In the course of the eve- were: one best suited to local condi- ning, a copy of the publication The debt we owe our boys and those tions. After much personal is held up and attention called of the community.
work on the minister's part, the to its contents inclusive of sub- Juvenile delinquency, its cause and finance committee recommended ject matter, features and illusthe plan therein outlined to the trations and a brief talk on the cure. official board who, in turn, sub- value of such a periodical is What are our churches doing for boys and what can we do? What about the Boy Scout organiza- mitted it to various groups and given. All willing to subscribe tion?
organizations in the church for are asked to raise their hands, Department 2 fostered a Fastudy. When the matter came then either enclose the price or thers' and Sons' banquet. to a vote in the congregation else agree to hand it in later, three months later, it was ap- writing names and addresses on Department 3 held a debate proved unanimously. In brief, the envelopes, which latter are on "Resolved, that Preparedness each group is asked to submit a collected by the magazine's club Leads to World Peace." tentative budget for its own manager. The plan is reported needs, on the basis of which bud- as working well. Select your Department 4 con d u c ted gets the finance committee own magazine, not forgetting "Ladies' Night". with the topic, builds a tentative Unified Bud- THE REVIEW, and get busy. "Home Ideals," considering the get. This is submitted to the place of the home in civilization; several groups and finally to the A Oommunity Brotherhood homes of yesterday versus those official board for study and criti- of today; the place of religion cism. With it goes a ballot af- The program of the 1935 plans in the home; what a child has a fording expression of opinion as of "The Drummond Community right to expect from his home. to (1) entire approval, (2) gen- Brotherhood," in Oklahoma, eral approval but revision on sent by Rev. H. D. Davies, fur- In September the brotherhood specified points and (3) disap- nishes a pattern which might discussed "Men's Share in the proval of the whole. The plan' well be used with profit all over Church Program" – in increasis working wonderfully,' only the map. Its declared purpose is ing church attendance, enlargfour dissenting ballots having as follows: ing the Church School, in the been received in 1935. program of evangelism and in 1. To organize the men of the financing the church program. The Duplex Reference Li- community in Christian fellowbrary, by the way, is free to all ship and service. In October the general topic users of the duplex envelope, the was "Thinking Missions"-reaonly expense being the payment 2. To promote among them sons for indifference to misof postage one way on books bor- the study of the Bible and sub- sions; why each member should rowed. The collection is of jects of a religious nature. be interested in m iss ion s ; standard books on every sub- money and the enterprise; can ject of interest to workers in 3. To enlist them in winning a church survive and not be church, Bible school and young men for Christ and the Church. missionary? people's societies, with new books being added all the time. 4. To stimulate interest in In November the theme was, A free catalogue will be sent on civic righteousness and encour- "Is the Cause of Temperance request. The subject of reli- age participation in interna- Lost?" – whether Prohibition gious education and exalting the tional and community better- was "done for"; the causes of idea of world friendship is made ment. the wet victory; whether Provery prominent. The Editor has hibition was a failure in action, looked through a partial list of The membership consists of and what the price of success the books and notes many names men over 16 years of age who against the liquor traffic must of the latest and best among accept the purpose of the organ- be. them. ization and have been received by a majority vote. In December came "The Chal- Magazines As a Spur to lenge of Hum a n Need"- Benevolences The meetings are not entirely whether the demand for benev- at set intervals but rather cap- olent activities is as great as in The Presbyterial Tribune rec- italize seasons, occasions and the past; whether the Church ommends a plan for boosting the probably available s pea k e r s should assume more or less re- SUbscription list to a good mis- throughout the year and are sponsibility for the conduct of sionary magazine whose read- successively in charge of the de- benevolent institutions; the ing would, in the natural course partments of endeavor, namely, evaluation of benevolent -insti- of (1) the Devotional Life; (2) tutions in the community, etc. Evangelism, Stewardship, Mis- sions; (3) Training; (4) Fel- A closing injunction on the lowship, Social Service, Commu- program read: of events, stimulate giving. At nity Betterment. Man, go to church every Sunday. some special church night serv- With Department 1 in charge, Start every week right. The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK SPRING SONG patient person in the Scrip- Paul continues with, "Where- fore, receive ye one another, Do only the young sing in the tures? even as Christ also received us." spring? What has patience to do with The "God of Patience" might well be the title of a modern pic- In "A Catch for Singing," by God and religion? One can hear ture of God made by the German Wilfred Wilson Gibson, we find almost instantly the reply of the reverse to be true, and the scoffers: "Too much-that's the artist, Barlach. The illustration reason for the old young man's here given is the last in a series singing should be evident to all trouble with this country-the depicting "The Wanderings of who meditated recently on the Christians are spineless!" But God" in the modern era. You Cross and the Resurrection of consider the ways of the truly Jesus. Several verses of Gib- patient. Verily, "they have their will recall how in the old Heson's poem are quoted to reveal reward – even eternal life" in brew anthem, God contemplated the faith of the "old young the midst of confusion caused by each day his creatures and "saw man" : nature and men. And for them, everything that He had made faith that the cherry trees are and behold it was very good"; Said the Old Young Man to the in flourish makes them servants Young Old Man: of men, hurrying about to help and how He rested on the sev- whom they may. At least, they enth day and hallowed it for "Both flower and fruit decay." Himself and his creatures. In Said the Young Old Man to the Old are found more useful in every- this modern conception we again day life than the idle scoffers. find God resting, at the conclu- Young Man: Paul, in a letter to Roman sion of a number of visits among "The cherry tree's in flourish!" friends, wrote, "Now the God of patience and of comfort grant his creatures. You may think Said the Old Young Man to the you to be of the same mind one that the picture shows great sor- Young Old Man: wit h another, according to row. He may be seen better as Christ Jesus: … " In a foot- the God of patience, or sted- "Alack and well-a-day! note, the reader is given the The world is growing grey, fastness. And flower and fruit decay. choice of the word "stedfast- No doubt God in his wander- Beware Old Man, beware Old Man ness" for the word "patience." For the end of life is nearing, ings today views children at And the grave yawns by the way. . . . "
Said the Young Old Man to the Old Young Man: "I'm a trifle hard of hearing; And can't catch a word you say … But the cherry tree's in flourish!"
The poem is in an old copybook made by a young person. The punctuation may not be according to the original, but the meaning of the verse was learned and that is enough!
THE PATIENT GOD AN ARTIST REPRESENTS "THE PATIENT GOD"
Have you ever taken an Eng- [259 ] lish Bible test and been asked to place quotations accurately? In what context do you find the expressions, "bring forth fruit with patience," "run with patience" ? Who said and under what circumstances, "Lord, have patience with me"? .Tell in fifty words so that a child understands the meaning of, "the patience of Job." Is Job the only play, and at the same time chil- one district in Brooklyn, the pas- their homes. Ten different dedren whose labor is exploited for tors presented the interdenom- nominations and 27 churches the comfort of adults who would inational missionary projects, united." express horror at child slaves in toward which the offerings are China but who constantly argue contributed each year. Individ- In Riverhead, New York, a for the "right of little ones to uals participated through the large map of the world was form habits of industry and radio. We learn that going to hung where all the congregation thrift." What does God th·nk offices in autos did not prevent could see it, while young women of Christians who say that they participation in the united told of observance of the World can do nothing about the con- prayer for social justice and Day of Prayer in 1935. tinuance of child labor in the world peace. U. S. A., while the parents of In a little town in souththe same children cannot find The program for the next western Texas of 150 inhabitwork to earn enough to furnish World Day of Prayer is being ants, 35 persons prayed for the family with bread and milk? prepared by Miss Mabel Shaw world peace. The superintend- of North Rhodesia, Africa. The ent of one of the Sunday schools Also, God in such a visit sent the offering of $1.59, with would find many "young old holiday need not interfere with a "blessing on the offering and men" grown cynical in the midst the observance, for as you real- on those for whom it is given." of earth's abundance, and too ize, the same program in many few of "the old young men" re- Danville, Iowa, sent with the membering the promises of languages is used in united missionary offering a sheet of spring and the Resurrection of service for almost forty hours' signatures to the People's Man- Life. In this modern conception date which begins, "We the peoof God one sees with compassion intercession encircling the earth. ple are determined to end war." the multitudes of men, women, It is now three weeks since the Other places signed the People's and children longing rightly for Day. Reports from observances Mandate following the services. happiness and peace, when their come daily to the Foreign Mis- Many groups report the first leaders, even statesmen, betray Union services. One such group them into war instead of using sions Conference offices and to had an all-day meeting even our God-given reason to secure our headquarters. The attend- "though it is hard to get folks all the people from flood and ance in the Greater New York out to prayer meetings." Thus famine, fire and desolation, de- area was nearly 10,000. prayers from Indian Schools, spair and death. from oil towns in the West and Within three weeks following Southwest, from student groups But, "The cherry tree's in February 28th, in the Council such as the Conference of the flourish !" office alone, 1,897 letters from Lutheran Student Association of groups-west and south as well the North Atlantic regions, from [The editor will welcome in- towns large and small, from interpretations of the picture from as nearer New York were re- dividuals and groups who parreaders to report later in the ceived. The free-will offerings ticipated in the radio services, .Bulletin.] in the 1,897 letters were for the from tens of thousands rose in home and foreign mission enter- mighty intercession prayer that WORLD DAY OF PRAYER God would overrule the blind- prises carried interdenomina- ness and stupid ways of men The next World Day of tionally, and totaled more than and bring nearer the Kingdom Prayer for missions, always the $14,000. One village held its of heaven on earth. first Friday in Lent, occurs in the U. S. A. on Lincoln's Birth- first union services, and in send- "A PREFACE TO RACIAL day, February 12, 1937. It may ing the offering of twenty-five be that the holiday will make UNDERSTANDING" possible the participation of the cents (six cents to each of the whole family. In Coffeeville, mission projects) wrote "we did The new home mission study Mississippi, this yea r, "the text for adults carries the title, stores of the town were closed the best we could and it was "A Preface to Racial Underfor the hour of service, so that worth while." The offerings standing." The word "preface" the merchants and employees indicates that the main responsicould attend." from the metropolitan areas, in- bility rests with the church to cluding cities like Detroit and bring about better understand- In places like Pittsburgh and Cleveland were well over a hun- ing. A selected reading list on Schenectady, the Council of dred dollars. Many places send- the Negro in America may be Churches was ready to carry re- ing offerings on the World Day secured from our office (5 sponsibility for the services, cents). Also for ten' cents planning for participation of of Prayer for others, are now (stamps acceptable) the New men and women, young people, in the troubled flood areas. We York Public Library Circulation and children in several union pray that relief for them may office, 42d Street and Fifth Ave., services. Many reports tell of be speedy and adequate. Thus, New York City, issues "A the presence of the pastors of the ways of "charity" bind us Selected Bibliography on the the cooperating churches. In all together. Negro."
The reports as they cQme in are very helpful and show vital strength of the missionary spirit in our country. Excerpts from reports follow: Macon, Georgia, reported "over 200 present even though at least 70 % of our mis- sionary women had illness in
~' Our World–wide
I A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~, EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA committee will attempt to for- present set-up in mission work mulate one which will have a is too expensive." New Church Federations constructive connotation. To meet these conditions he Dr. Rey B. Guild announces The committee consists of Dr. advocated the almost exclusive four new church federations George L. Kieffer, statistical sec- use of unmarried missionaries, which have recently been organ- retary of the National Lutheran a more itinerant missionary ized in various parts of the Council, Dr. William Lamp~, force, the fuller identification of country: The Colorado Council Philadelphia, of the Reformed the missionary with native life, of Churches, organized Feb- Church in America, and the Rev. less elaborate station equipment ruary 21 with the Rev. Harold Herbert Rugg, Director of Pub- except in strategic centers, and M. Gilmore as Executive Sec- licity for the Congregational the quicker and less hampered retary. The Jackson (Mich- and Christian Churches of development of native leaderigan) Council of Churches with America. ship in the Church and its man- Mr. C. H. Johnson as Executive agement. "What is wanting in Secretary. The Bay County Lutheran Foreign Missions the missionary enterprise is not Federation of Churches, Bay new machinery, or methods. City, Mich. The North Carolina Eighteen foreign missio""aries Foremost is the necessity for a Council of Churches, formed by from all parts of the world were fresh outburst of spiritual life ten denominational bodies and a present at the Lutheran Foreig'l in the Church." group of Baptist churches, hav- Missions Conference of North ing a total membership of America in St. Paul, Minnesota, Gideon Bibles 1,500,000. March 24 and 25. A committee was appointed to petition Con- Recently, at the suggestion of Religion for New Communities gress to enact legislation en- an atheistic society, the Gideon abling a missionary who is a Bibles were removed from a Prevention of spiritual desti- citizen of the United States to 600-room hotel. The first night tution in new communities now continue his missionary service there were 200 inquiries as to being developed by the United in a country at war, if he so de- where the Bibles had gone, so States Government is urged by sires, and relieving his govern- the management placed them in the Home Missions Council and ment of all responsibility on hiS the rooms again. the Council of Women for Home behalf. This would answer the Missions, representing more criticism that foreign mission- It is interesting to note that than twenty Protestant denom- aries are a liability to the gov- in 1934 several thousand Gideon inations. Interdenominational ernment and that "gunboats Bibles were stolen from hotel cooperation along the line of the must be used to protect ambas- rooms, or shall we say borreligious work now being jointly sadors of the Prince of Peace." rowed? -Religious Digest. done by seven national churches at Boulder Dam was asked for. Further study is to be made New York's New Chinatown Grand Coulee Dam in Washing- of the possibilities for a joint Center ton state and Bonneville Dam in Lutheran missionary magazine. Oregon were also ment:oned. Next year's convention will A new Christian center was probably be held at Detroit, dedicated in the heart of New -Presbyterian Banner. Michigan. York's Chinatown on March 10. Hundreds of guests crowded the New Term for "Denomination" The Rev. M. J. Stolee, of St. five floors of this recently com- Paul, discussing the subject, pleted building to hear distin- The National Religious Pub-. "What Factors in Modern Mis- guished speakers. Many leaders licity Council, at its annual sions Require a Changed Em- of various Chinese groups were meeting, appointed a committee phasis?" declared, "We are not present, including Hon. Tsuneto recommend a better term for getting results commensurate chi Yu, Chinese Consul General general use than the word "de- with the machinery and man- of New York; Mr. Hin Tse Wu, nomination." Use of that term power we have." The disquiet- United States representative of (though it means only "a ing fact is that the population Confucians, and Mr. Paul T. name") was declared to be ob- in non-Christian lands is in- Linn, of the Chinese Benevolent jectionable on the ground that creasing faster than those who Association. it is a "divisive term." The turn to the Saviour. "The This community center will [261 ]
devote itself to problems pecul- are in college or seminary pre- ment schools. Several Catholic iar to Chinatown. It has a Sun- spokesmen have called the order day and weekday program of paring themselves to become "nothing but a political maeducation-religious and secular ministers to their own people. neuver." -with special courses in English for all ages, a kindergarten, All of the pastors of the colored Ministering to Neglected scout troops and young people's churches are college and semi- Indians organizations. nary graduates. The ministers in the Spanish – s pea kin g Physicians from the Hospital -The Christian Century. Latino – Americano in' Mexico churches are trained men. The spend each year five months in "New Americans" Plan first Eskimo to be ordained is the aggregate visiting the In- for Church now the stated supply at Wain- dian tribes in isolated sections. Some of these villages have no Korean Presbyterians of Los wright, in the Arctic Circle. doctor except the Wi5Ch doctor Angeles are making plans for a and medicine men. Medical supnew church home, to cost be- The Sheldon Jackson School at plies are carried in the saddle tween four and five thousand Sitka has sent its graduates into bags of the missionary doctors, dollars. They have about $2,500 every phase of Alaskan life until and upon their trips they are in hand, and pledges for the bal- today its graduates make up by usually accompanied by one or ance. This Christian group has more colporteur missionaries been holding church services in far the majority of the members who give out scripture portions. rented quarters for nearly 30 The s e traveling missionaries years, and their joy in the pros- of the Alaskan Brotherhood and undergo the hardships of piopect of having a building of 'the Alaskan Sisterhood. neers, riding horseback over their own knows no bounds. steep and rough mountain trails -Presbyterian Banner. in order to take the ministry of -Presbyterian Banner. healing for body and soul to a LATIN AMERICA neglected people. It is hoped Echoes of Marcus Whitman that nurses may be trained and Campaign in Cuba sent out to their own people. Walla WalIa, Washington, a city of 16,000 persons, is re- The Superintendent of South- -Watchman-Examiner. ported, according to police rec- ern Baptist mission work in ords, to have passed through Cuba reports that a province- Home Missions in Nicaragua 1935 without a traffic fatality, wide evangelistic campaign in murder or manslaughter case. Santa Clara Province has re- The Woman's Missionary So- sulted in 500 professions and the This is the town established revival fires are still burning. ciety of the Managua Baptist seventy-five years ago near the This Province, with a population place where Dr. Marcus Whit- of 1,000,000, has nineteen Bap- Church now numbers 100. Last man and his young wife built tist churches and sixteen mistheir log cabin and established a sion stations. There are thirty- year the membership was doumission among the Cayuse Indi- nine missionaries. The meetans on the Walla Walla River. ings were held in thriving cities, bled. The motto of the society Two years later they organized a ranging in population from church of seven members. Ten 8,000 to 60,000. is "Nicaragua for Christ." Bapyears later, in 1847, Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and others were -Watchman-Examiner. killed by treacherous and misguided Indians. Later the un- Churches Reopening in Mexico tists have established work in friendly tribes were defeated by government troops and peace nearly all sections of Nicaragua, was established. Walla Walla was founded as a town in 1859. The government of President the best developed evangelical and has now grown to a well ordered city of 16,000 inhabi- Cardenas has decided to permit work being in Managua. tants-and no lawbreakers. reopening of the many hundreds On the east coast the Mora- Churches Becoming Indigenous of churches closed early in 1935, vians have evangelized another Presbyterian work among ra- and once more the religion pro- narrow strip all along the Atcial groups in North America, including the West Indies, is fessed by more than 16,000,000 lantic Coast. Their work is in rapidly becoming indigenous. The church in Puerto Rico and of Mexico's 18,000,000 inhabi- English or among the native In- Cuba is directed entirely by nationals. Several young Indians tants has opportunity to be put dians in their own language.
in practice. Churches remain This leaves a wide strip through the property of the government. the center and several sections The order does not apply to in the north entirely untouched churches which have been taken by the Gospel.
over for use as schools, libraries Everywhere is felt the need or government offices. for trained native leadership.
It is said that one of the gov- The Managua Baptist Church ernment's motives pinedneci indigng to illustrates what may be accom- permit the reo of plished under proper leaders.
churches was the hope that the During three months the Mana- action would remove opposition gua Church received 21 new by Catholics to the official social- members by baptism, while 5 istic education program, and more have been accepted, and that Catholics would willingly the candidates' class has 20 en- send their children to govern- rolled. -Missions.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Roman Catholic Growth followed by Italians and Poles. the country is 100 per cent pro- The many European nationali- Recently Dr. Web s t erE. ties create special problems, and fessing Christian. Since Green- Browning, regional secretary of in part account for the multipli- land belongs to Denmark, the the Committee on Cooperation cation of churches. Greenland Church is under the -World Survey Service. in Latin America, sent out a Bishop of Copenhagen. A proquestionnaire, asking impres- vost is stationed at Godthaab sions from a number of leading EUROPE and a vice-provost farther north. missionaries and national work- Seven Danish and fifteen Es- ers of the evangelical movement French Protestants Seek Unity kimo pastors are in charge of regarding the religious situation ten parishes in the west, two in in various republics. The first Negotiations for union be- the east and one at Cape York. question dealt with the growth tween the two leading Reformed The country is so large that the of influence of the Roman Cath- Churches in France are still in parishes are from 150 to 200 olic Church. The substance of progress. During recent years miles each way. Church attendreplies to this question is as fol- French Protestants have become ance is good, the people are lows: "There is general consent convinced that their divisions thrifty and happy, they are litto the statement that the dom- are a cause of weakness, and erate, and have schools, includinant church is, at present, en- that they keep souls in search ing normal school and seminary, joying what may be called a re- of truth a way from the Sunday schools and young peovival of influence and power. churches, paralyzing efforts at ple's societies. Religion is evangelization and wasting re- taught in the public schools be- There is, it is stated, an in- sources. They have come to see -Fattig og Rik. creased attendance on its serv- sides.
ices; there are street proces- that their doctrinal divergences sions in cities which formerly are not as great as might ap- Sweden's Religious Bodies pear, so that the two churches forbade them; its schools report Religious statistics for Swea heavier enrolment, especially can adhere to the three evan- den have been compiled from gelical positions stated at the various sources and are, aptheological seminaries in which Lausanne Conference. During proximately: Adventists, 2,500 ; young men of the country are the negotiations of r e c e n t Salvation Army, 20,500; Swedregistering in greater numbers; months an attempt has been an air of greater confidence pre- made to find a declaration of ish Salvation Army, 2,000; faith which will affirm the Missionary Association of Orevails and more modern methods bro, 1,525; Baptists, 68,151 ; are being used in propaganda, eternal truths of the Gospel and Independent Baptists, 5,000 ; the permanent principles of the such as broadcasting and more Roman Catholics, 4,100; Swedeffective advertising in the Reformation, and which will ish Church (Lutheran), 5,830,- press; and by means of specially constitute a common basis for 000; Swedish Missionary Fedprepared books and other litera- thought and action. The prin- eration, 200,000; Jews, 10,000; ture." ciples on which the mixed com- Methodist Episcopal, 30,000 ; mittee, charged with preparing -The Christian Century.
Some Problems in Argentina this basis, is proceeding are the Orthodox Greeks, 349; Pente- costists, 55,000; the Lutheran Methodist work in Argentina following: common obedience to Church of Sweden has 2,741 owes its origin to Rev. J. Demp- the authority of the Word of pastors at work. God, common profession of the ster, who arrived in Buenos Christian faith and common fi- Heroism Brings Revival Aires in 1836, and his initiative delity to the true mission of the has resulted in a Methodist com- Church. A recent compilation reveals that of 83 pastors still remainmunity of some 6,000. The total -World Survey Service. ing within the boundaries of evangelical community of Ar- Soviet Russia, 47 have been suf- gentina is 193,000. In Greenland The work of evangelization in Hans Egede, the Apostle to fering for years in concentrathis field is somewhat paralyzed, Greenland, was born on January tion camps, on the White Sea or especially as regards that car- 31st, 250 years ago. Greenland in Siberia. Two were recently ried on by national workers. is one of the successful mission condemned to death; others Quite often foreigners without enterprises of the Lutheran have been forced to stop their the language requirement have church. Every year, on All- work. Probably less t han the necessary funds to carryon Saints' Day, every congregation twenty Evangelical pastors are intensive work, but good native in Greenland celebrates the still at work in Russia out of the preachers are limited to work- memory of Hans Egede and at 300 who formerly preached the ing among small congregations Godthaab, there is a fine granite Gospel there. The same writer which cannot support them, or monument erected in his honor. relates how two Christian colgive them scope for advance. It is reported that on Pentecost porteurs were preaching the Immigration t 0 Argentina Day, May 20, 1934, at Cape Gospel in a village. One crum- continues. Last year Spaniards York, the last heathen in the pled up suddenly, struck by a claimed the largest increase, whole land was baptized, so that bullet. His comrade, instead of
fleeing, took the Bible from the or been deeply interested in the Lutherans Start Mission Gospel message, is marked with in Nigeria martyred man, and continued a star in the hospital records. There are recorded between 300 The Lutheran Missouri Synod, preaching to the frightened lis- and 400 "star" cases, names of one of the largest Lutheran former patients, with whom spe- bodies in America, with a memteners. His heroism made such cially to keep in touch in their bership of 1,460,052 in the villages. Middle West, will inaugurate its a profound impression that a re- first missionary work in Africa -Edinburgh M. M. S. when Prof. Henry Nau and vival broke out in the village Quarterly. Mrs. Nau arrive in Nigeria. The synod has been carrying on which extended beyond its bor- Haile Selassie and Missions extensive missionary activities in Asia, Australia, Iceland and ders. -Alliance Weekly. This emperor, whose name North and South America for means "Hero of the Trinity," is more than seventy-five years. Religion in Russia eagerly devoted to the further- ance of his people and is per- Early last year, Dr. Nau, in Observers notice an intensive sonally concerned that the Gos- company with two others from turning of people in Russia to- pel should have free course in the synod, sailed to Africa to ward religion. Cases are cited the country. The Amharic peo- survey the field in response to a where factory workers have vol- ple have been Christians for petition from Nigeria asking the untarily collected money for a 1,600 years; but much of their Synodical Conference of Lunew church building; many religion is set in rigid forms, theran Synods to begin mission were imprisoned for this. New especially on account of the long work there. During his stay, churches have been built in in- isolation of the country. Dr. Nau completed the transladustrial districts, some of the tion of Martin Luther's cateparticipants actually being com- While Haile Selassie is a chism and a number of standard munists. faithful son of his own Coptic church hymns into the native or Abyssinian church, he is dialect of the people, and when The Russian Missionary So- eager to open it to Evangelical he returned, in June, reported ciety reports that the excom- influences. He has been favor- bright prospects for mission missioner of education in the able to all missions. The Basel work in Nigeria. Soviet has confessed that mem- Mission looks back upon a cenbership in the communist party tury's participation in the work Revival Begins with has increased only a million in inasmuch as the first mission- Missionaries ten years, whereas the Stundists aries were trained in Basel, (the equivalent of vital Chris- among them the great Samuel W. J. Anderson, Jr., American tianity) has increased six mil- Gobat. The Amharic Bible was Presbyterian missionary at Lulion in the same period, in the printed at St. Crishona, near bondai in the Congo, writes that face of all the opposition of Basel. spiritual blessing began when Soviet propaganda. the missionaries, burdened by The emperor is a zealous sup- the need for a fresh outpouring AFRIOA porter of the work of spreading of the Spirit, set apart a week the Bible in the new vernacular to humble themselves before Preaching by Works translation and he took part per- God, determined that if any- sonally in the dedication of the thing in their lives was block- When the Egypt General Mis- beautiful building of the British ing progress it should be done sion commenced work in 1898, and Foreign Bible Society in away with. "God revealed a it was with no idea of winning Addis Ababa. He himself pub- number of things; they were the people except by direct lishes Biblical books in two ver- made right. When this was preaching of the Gospel. As the sions, the old sacred translation done and we held back nothing, work developed in the villages, which is no longer understood but surrendered all to Him, then some of the young missionaries, by the people and the modern God's blessing came. Peace, joy, handicapped by their lack of the which they can read. He ex- fellowship, power, such as we language, felt constrained to plains all this work in a preface had never experienced before. preach by "deeds, not words" till with his own portrait. He sends We witnessed to the leaders such time as they mastered out loads of these Bibles on among the natives, then to the Arabic, so they began by carry- mule-back to his leaders for the evangelists. Much confession of ing bottles of eyedrops with purpose of distributing them sin followed! them, to relieve suffering and among their people. show forth something of the "It spread to the workmen, to love and compassion of Christ. He also sets a good example to near-by villages. All hours of Later, this eye work developed his people in the matter of the day and night the people until an amateur dispensary was church attendance, being at his came, under great conviction of opened in the Delta. place every Sunday in the sin, wanting to get right with Church of St. George in the cap- God. The transformed evan- As patients return to their vil- ital. lages they are followed up by a system which has been carefully developed during the last few years. The name of each patient who has been found. to have accepted Christ as Saviour,
1936J OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
gelists went back to their vil- the Cape country are gradually Immigrants from Germany lages, witnessed and preached combining in a larger union. include a large proportion of as never before in their lives. This means that now actual mis- And what were the results? sionary work is over in this part professional men, also leaders People began seeking the Lord of Africa. in the world's thought. by the score and then by the hundred. Villages that, a couple In 1842, the first Rhenish mis- Affiliation of Colleges of years ago were most offensive sionaries came to the Hottentots to visiting missionaries, and in Namaland in Southwest International ColI e g e at most antagonistic to the Gospel, Africa. Two years later the have since been begging us to first station was planted among Smyrna, Turkey, will affiliate establish work in their midst." the Hereros. Then was added work among the Ba'stards and with the American University -Congo Mission News. the black slaves in the land of the Hill Damas. For 50 years of Beirut, Syria. Negotiations Revival at Bolobo the work here was hindered in many ways, most of all by the for the sale of the campus and Compromise is expressed by great rebellion in 1904 and then Congo church members as the World War. The many in- buildings at Smyrna to the gov- "using their two legs to travel terruptions broke up the tribal two different roads." A recent coherence which caused great ernment are under way. The revival resulted in pro t est language divisions and finally against this, and a low level of led to relinquishing the work in new plans, of which details and spiritual life in general. Young Amboland. From 1929 to 1933, men were fired with zeal to the whole area suffered from re- legal adjustments are still to be carry the Good News into the current droughts~ The greatest hinterland, and preaching difficulty lies in the fact that the worked out, will be provisional "classes" wen t everywhere. land is thinly populated; but of Fetishes were exposed and dis- its 90,000 inhabitants 56,000 for five years, and contemplate carded, and many pagans gath- have now been gathered in the ,ered into the Church. Special congregations of this mission. no further capital investment in pamphlets, extra Bible classes .and prayer meetings had to be The mission is having a won- grounds and buildings, and the planned. New prayer houses derful increase in its work for were built, all by native initia- the last two years. It amounts cooperating boards will each tive, and reg u I a r morning almost to a mass movement. prayers are held in the villages The special object of its care is maintain identity and control of of Bolobo, where formerly the the mission among the Bushefforts of missionaries to orig- men. These people from South funds. -Advance. inate such prayers went on for Africa are coming by the thoua while, then died out. sands begging for reception into A Consecrated Christian the Christian Church. One of the most remarkable The Syria News Quarterly reresults of the revival is the spon- WESTERN ASIA taneous desire of the people to counts the story of a consecrated reshape the community's life Type of Jews in Palestine Christian worker named J alaI, nearer their heart's desire. The whose experiences paralleled .amount of palm wine or sugar- Immigration of Jews to Pales- those of Paul. Armed with cane beer brought in for sale to tine in 1934 exceeded 42,000, ac- Bibles, books and pamphlets Bolobo market suffered imme- cording to the Jewish Mission- specially written for Moslems, diate curtailment; in short, a ary Intelligence. In 1922, they he had set out in November on new standard has been set for were 11 per cent as compared to a missionary tour to include the Christian living. 78 per cent Moslems; in 1931, more benighted and sin-scarred nearly 17 per cent as against 73 of the villages in the northern -World Survey Service. per cent Moslems and 9 per cent part of Syria. He got on very Christians. The type of the well until the police interfered. The Rhenish- Mission Jewish population has definitely Finding that he had no local per- changed. Time was when Pales- mit to sell books they summarily This mission opened in 1828 tinian Jews were orthodox, poor took him to the police station. when its first four missionaries in substance, not well educated. There he was requested in no landed in Capetown and began Today, they are self-reliant and polite terms to leave the town. work among the colored popula- pride themselves on being self- J alaI insisted mildly that he was tion. Since then 20,000 Chris- supporting and independent, not a transgressor, and repaired tians are gathered in 10 congre- and their nationalistic aspira- to the French Secretary of the gations. In 1840 this mission tions find little use for religious Interior to obtain a license. In also took over the work of the observances. his office were a young Syrian London Missionary Society. interpreter, a Syrian lady ste- Since 1933, the congregations of nographer, a number of men and a Moslem woman heavily veiled. In true oriental fashion this group constituted itself a jury in his case. When they had heard all, they gathered about asking him questions, and sev- eral were moved to open their hearts to him and to ask his ad- vice in the solution of their own difficulties.
As for the French secretary, he was so interested in Jalal's tale of his conversion from Is-
lam and his occupation in INDIA This mysterious Bible was spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that he immediately be- Revival Fires printed on the presses of the came a warm friend and advo- Basel Mission in Mangalur in cate, and lost no time in supply- Methodist Christians in India 1865 and has attained to such a ing the permit. write hopefully of signs of degree of veneration that for awakening in their districts. decades it has been preserved in Premium on Unveiling Dr. J. R. Chitambar, of Jubbul- a Hindu temple and is wor- pore, says: "Many Christians shipped as divine by these non- Iran has taken a daring step. are experiencing a new filling Christian people. Two Swiss Under order of the American- with the Holy Spirit and deep missionaries, Pastor Noverraz trained Minister of Education, spiritual power is noticeable in and Miss Dr. Petitpierre have boys and girls of seven and meetings . in various places. been permitted to see it. They under will attend school to- Lives are touched and changed." tell the following story. gether. The age limit will be Rev. O. M. Auner writes of a raised annually until it reaches revival in Khandwa that "noth- About sixty years ago there sixteen, the age at which girls ing like it has been seen in India may marry under the new law. before." The same kind of re- was in Mustigiri, near the mis- The new law sets the marriage port comes from Shabjahanpur sion station of Guledgudd, a age of men at eighteen. School district: "Things are on fire priest, Kalappa, serving the· girls and their teachers now go from God in Parahpur, Karswa temple of the goddess Durgavva. to their classes unveiled, and to and Ranjitpur." After various further encourage unveiling, conferences, workers have gone He was so receptive to the Gosgovernment offices are offering back to their fields with new pel that one of the Swiss mispositions to girls who have put power and deeper Christian ex- sionaries presented him with the aside their veils. perience. Bible.
-Alliance Weekly. In the Lushai Hills Then a fanatical swami, fear- ing the holy book of the Chris- Experiences in Arabia A generation ago two pio- tians might prove detrimental and cause secessions from Hin- Dr. Harold Storm, of the neers, F. W. Savidge and J. H. duism, got possession of it and American Reformed Church nailed it shut with a big nail. Mission in Muscat, who is tour- Lorrain, were sent by a wealthy ing the coast of Arabia, was Before he died, he uttered the warned not to enter the Mahara Christian of Leeds, England, to prophecy, that when the hole country of southeastern Arabia. Other foreigners have nearly open a mission among head- caused by the nail would close lost their lives at the hands of up again, he would himself rethe Mahara. Being delayed by hunters of the North Lushai turn from the dead. This prophbad weather, Dr. Storm walked ecy was believed by the people nearly twenty miles to Quishu, Hills, in the area between India the capital where he met the and so it came that the old book Sultan of Mahara and received and Burma, near the Assam came to be superstitiously venan invitation to stay with him erated. or to return for another visit. border. In four years they mas- Last year, Missionary Schuler, The Mahara people are made tered the unwritten language, also of the Basel Mission, sucup of a confederation of small ceeded in being permitted to see tribes numbering about 50,000, reduced it to writing, translated the Bible and the priest who is speaking their own language and maintaining almost com- two Gospels and the Book of the its custodian. The latter had the plete independence. Dr. Storm book carefully wrapped in red was delayed in carrying out his Acts, wrote hymns, a catechism, plans in reaching Dhufar, but silk, locked up in a casket, found that this delay was a pro- a primer, a grammar, and a dic- which he brought out and placed vision of God since one of his on a stand. On the wrapper hospital boys, who had gone in tionary of 7,000 words. When there were leaves of a sacred advance to prepare the way, had tree that were still fresh and been able to treat the Sultan of their work was well started they also some grains of rice, all of Muscat successfully of eye trouble. As a result a warm wel- handed it over to the Welsh Cal- which showed that the Bible recome awaited Dr. Storm and the ceived daily worship. It was a best house in Salala was put at vinistic Methodists. Today, as solemn moment of the utmost his disposal. quiet, until the relic was un- a result of their work, there are wrapped. The binding is loose and the worse for wear on ac- in these southern hills 6,000 count of the ravages of the white ants. In the center of one church members in full stand- board of the binding there is a small hole, diminishing as far ing, with a Christian community as the book of Leviticus. Many leaves are loose and worn. The of 16,000 and 9,500 Sunday priest had smeared his forehead with red paint and on it were school scholars. The native staff pasted grains of rice. He said consists of 11 traveling superin- tendents and 117 honorary vil- lage pastors. The whole New Testament has been published in Lushai. -So S. Times.
The Nailed-Up Bible This title sounds almost as if it were taken from a story book. It is so very characteristic of Hindu mentality that it deserves to be told further.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
he did not read the book and so On Sunday, December 8, a preparation for another. There the missionary offered him an- Christian procession of wit- is a married lepers' village, other Bible for a present, the nesses was organized. About where about 100 people make priest promising to read it him- 260 people met at the Christian their homes. The arrangement self and also to read it to the high school and mar c h e d seems to be quite satisfactory. visitors at the temple. through the streets, with ban- The outstanding event of the ners flying and texts displayed, year in the colony was the sep- What Humble Folk Can Do halting at various points to sing aration from the mother church. and witness. By the time the Their new status as a separate In the Telugu country mis- procession had returned to its church was celebrated with ap- sionaries were moved to see what starting place, the number had propriate services and cere- poor, uneducated people can do grown to over 400. The route monies. They now have their in the way of evangelism. They was about two and a half miles own budget, support their own cannot make long speches. They long, and very dusty which made pastor, and give generously to cannot argue and engage in con- singing difficult. Christian pro- evangelistic work. For the past troversy as St. Paul did in cessions are rare, but this one few months they have had entire Athens, but they can tell others met with encouraging· success. charge of their own services what Christ has done for them, with no help from the mother sell Gospels and exemplify the -C. M. S. Outlook. church. They also have a reg- love of Christ in their own lives. ular schedule of study classes, Finding Title for God and a number are well versed in From a report of an evan- the Scriptures. The medical gelistic campaign of Anglican, Agents of the Bible Society treatment has been varied dur- Methodist and Congregational from Calcutta and Rangoon, ing the year by the addition of Churches in 1934, we find the missionary representatives of two new remedies, which gave following: the Bible Churchmen's Mission- them new interest in their treat- ary Society and other organiza- ment, though no specific cures In one village illiterate Chris- tions at work in that area met are reported.-Siam Outlook. tian women were trained to sing in February to discuss a suitable hymns and learn lessons by title for God in the Khumi and CHINA heart so as to repeat them in kindred dialects. The Khumis the village bazaar before caste are a Chin tribe, with several Communist Opinion of employers, and with good effect. branches; of the forty-five Chin Missionary tribes, forming a total popula- Christian children took their tion of only about 350,000, less What Chinese communists part in the campaign: they than a dozen can at present hear think of missionaries appears in would go with banners in pro- the Gospel in their own lan- the trial of Messrs. A. Hayman cession through the caste quar- guage. The difficulty which this and R. Bosshardt, the members ters and sing hymns. mission is facing among the of the China Inland Mission Khumis in Burma is one which who were captured as spies at Small children would stand up has been met in many parts of Kiuchow, their station, on Oc- in the village street and repeat the world and illustrates the tober 2, 1934. Both were scripture verses or a Gospel care which is necessary in the charged with having been sent story, and then say a little selection of proper terms in any to China "under imperialistic prayer. language, if the Christian doc- principles, to delude with – the trine of God is to be satisfac- teachings of Jesus the docile In one village Christians of torily understood. Christians people," and with having served outcaste origin bought Gospels number 331,000 in Burma, the as a vanguard in the interest of and tracts and gave them free great majority being Karens imperialism with a view to "di- to the caste farmers. One very or members of nonindigenous viding up China as a melon." poor Christian woman gave a races. Less than 12,000 Bur- Special deprecating reference farthing for three Gospels and mans, little more than one in was made to their work among some handbills and gave them to every thousand, were returned the Miao, one of the tribes in her master who was a caste as Christians in the latest cen- West China. "With the Bible of man. -C. M. S. Outlook. sus figures. Jesus they h a v e positively drugged the people with a view Public Witnessing -World Survey Service. to destroying all those who are opposed to imperialism." St. Paul's Church, Jubbul- Lepers Have Their Own pore, held a "Week of Witness," Owing to the increasing ill when they erected a tent near Church health of Mr. Hayman he was the main road, and a band of released on November 18, 1935. . workers invited the passers-by The Leper Colony at Kiulung- Mr. Bosshardt remains in cap- to come in and see the lantern kiang, Siam, has grown until tivity, with his whereabouts un- slides and listen to the good there are now over 220 patients. known.-The Living Church. news. Attendances averaged Two new dormitories have been about sixty to eighty non-Chris- built and many bricks made in tians, and many heard the Gos- pel for the first time.
Chiang Kai-Shek Appeals most of the listeners, a striking J APAN-CHOSEN to Nation object lesson was presented re- cently in Tientsin when a large All-Japan Christian General Chiang Kai-Shek, on crowd heard The Beatitudes Conference January 1, broadcast a message (or, as the Chinese call them, to the Chinese nation in which 'The Eight Happinesses") read The 200 delegates to the Allhe asserted that national salva- in several different languages. Japan Christian Conference in tion could be achieved within They were read first in Chinese, Tokyo, November 26-27, repre- ,one year, through the New Life then in the Latin Vulgate; a sented practically every commu- Movement. With the old Chi- Greek merchant read the mod- nion and every national Chrisnese virtues, courtesy, justice, ern Greek version, and a Jap- tian organization in the Empire. honesty and conscientiousness, anese Christian read them in Interest ran high in the two he believes it possible to build Japanese. Then they were read major questions-Church Union up the moral character of the III English, afterwards a Jew and a Nation-Wide United Cam- nation and wipe out all evil and (putting on his hat) read a pas- paign of Evangelism. The con- undesirable habits of the people. sage from the Old Testament in ference was opened with aserv- To consolidate material safety Hebrew, followed by a Swiss ice of rededication and commu- ,he urges the "People's Economic who read in French, and finally nion, led by Bishop Akazawa. Reconstruction Movement," and a Swiss woman read them in outlines eight main steps as es- German. When the Japanese An interlude in the discus- sential; among them develop- was heard with perfect respect sions was provided by Mr. Y. ment of agriculture, mine ex- and attention by an audience al- Takata, Head of the Bureau of ploitation, labor conscription, most completely Chinese, there Religions in the Department of regulation of consumption and was added meaning to "Blessed Education, and I. Kanzaki, a transportation improvement. are the peacemakers." Shinto priest. The former ex- plained some of the general Referring to the gravity of -L. M. S. Chronicle. principles of the "Religions Bill" the national emergency, General which the department is pre- Chiang said that the nation must Leadership – the Great Need paring and proposes to intro- awake to its mistakes, and rec- duce in the coming session of tify them without further delay. The lack of leadership in Parliament. One of these prin- He regards moral training of China has been the subject of ciples is to secure proper educa- the individual as of most im- investigation and planning by tional and moral qualifications portance. -People's Tribune, the National Committee for for religious workers. The Christian Education. Dr. Lu- other is to provide some method Shanghai. ther A. Weigle, Dean of Yale whereby each denomination will Divinity S c h 0 0 I, spent six have a recognized representative Campaign Among Students months in China in 1935, study- with which the government can ing the problem. In preparation deal when matters arise which The "Youth and Religion for his visit a survey was made call for conference. The Shinto Movement," now in its second and the results embodied in a priest declared that Christianity year, in which Dr. W. Y. Chen, pamphlet, "Training for Leader- has a great contribution to make Professor of Psychology in Fu- ship in the Chinese Church." to the life of Japan. kien Christiim University, and This formed the basis of discus- Dr. Y. C. Tu, Professor of sion at an enlarged meeting of Among actions taken was one Physics in the University of the Committee held at Kuling. granting a form of ordination Shanghai, have been the leaders One outcome of that meeting to women evangelists. ' and speakers, has recently closed was the formation of an associa- a most successful campaign. tion of theological colleges; an- -Japan Christian other, the resolve that the train- Quarterly. The team visited in all thir- ing of lay church workers twehenerceiitnies1,59o,n0e00beliinsgteYneudnntoantfhu~ should constitute the main work Toward Abolishing message, of whom 6,212 signed of the Committee for the next Prostitution cards, 56 per cent of these being year or two. Not without sig- inquirers and the rest reconse- nificance was the adoption of the One of the goals set by Chris- crations. The leaders were espe- words "education for service'~ in tian leaders is the abolition of cially successful in a number of place of training for leadership. licensed prostitution. In De- cities in making contacts with It is of interest, too, to read that cember it was reported that the teachers and students in govern- the old-style training schools for Kochi Prefectural Assembly had ment schools, thus opening what Bible women are increasingly adopted a resolution in favor of may prove another opportunity giving place to women's adult abolition, bringing the number of Christian service. education schools. of prefectures which had passed such resolutions up to thirteen. "The Eight Happinesses" -W. W. S. S. News. The evil has already been abol- ished in several prefectures. Although the proceedings This action is in line with the were largely unintelligible to recently adopted policy of the Home Office which has drafted
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK 269J
an Abolition Bill to be presented Christian influence by working this very badge, that we have to the forthcoming session of as a farmer among farmers. used for close to thirty years, the Diet. There is a disposition His wife is as sincere a Chris- will be the first thing that. to remove the stigma of being tian as he. Presently, Christian strikes the eye of every person one of the few nations which missionaries living in Yamagata entering the school gate. Once, protects licensed vice. One news- challenged them to come to the more, the Cross has conquered.'" paper editor remarked: "It is city and engage in a work in humiliating that the govern- which their influence would Ohung Sin School ment licenses prostitution as a have larger scope. After much legitimate business. It is con- prayer they accepted the chal- Chung Sin,PresbyterianAcadtradictory for Japan which poses lenge, and today the Kantos are emy for Girls in Chosen has been as the possessor of a civilization engaged in what is known as given "designation" by the Govin no sense inferior to that of Rural Correspondence Evan- ernment. This does not mean Europe and America to permit gelism. Brief sermons and that the school is better than such a system to exist." Christian articles are published before, but that the Government in the local newspaper. Inter- now acknowledges it as worthy. -Japan Christian ested inquirers write for more Its graduates hereafter will be' Quarterly. detailed information about the accepted in higher schools, and Christian faith, and Mr. Kanto in future work on an equal basis, Developing Ohristian Leaders answers these letters. Young with those of private registered folks from these rural villages, and Government schools. The enrolment at Wilmina Jo believing they have found a sym- Gakko, Girls' School in Osaka, pathetic ear, pour out their On May 25th the Parents' Aswas 350 in 1925; ten years hearts to him through this cor- sociation was organized, and' later it was 957. A Christian respondence; and he, with his started its work with real enemphasis is maintained. Every keen understanding of the prob- thusiasm. Their personal intermorning the whole school as- lems of rural folk, comforts and est in the school has been mani-. sembles for chapel service; the satisfies them and leads them on fest. The Chung Sin Y. W. C. A. Y. W. C. A. meets each week; toward Christian faith. Grad- completed their first full year of special classes are held to pre- ually his influence is extending service in a small rural church.. pare the girls for baptism; Bible throughout the entire rural area In September, Chung Sin stustudy is required in the cur- of Yamagata Prefecture. Their dents organized a Sunday School riculum; early morning prayers best work is done simply in in this church and have been are held at intervals throughout visiting the homes of their faithful in making, two by two, tbe year; and every other week friends and talking quietly each Sunday, a trip which takes; a church service is held in the about the Christian faith. all day long to teach these little chapel and attended by all the children. In December, two of girls. The superintendent of -Missionary Herald. the girls spent a week in this; the school is an ordained min- rural church helping to put on ister, and last year 160 girls The Oross Prevails a very attractive Christmas prowere baptized. gram. The foreign missionary Dr. Koons, Principal of the work of the Korean Church in -Presbyterian Banner. John D. Wells Academy for Shantung, Chi n a, has been Boys in Seoul, cites the follow- helped by these students as they Rural Oorrespondence ing as the most significant event send forty yen each term for the' Evangelism of the school year: "The grad- work there. Sunday they have, uating class of 1935 gave the faithfully taught in nearly every South of Yamagata, an hour's school a copy of the school Sunday School in connection ride by train, is a little village badge, cast in brass, to be placed with the Seoul city churches. called Ippon-yanagi (One Wil- on the wall over the entrance of low Tree), just a small group of the main building. Five or six "Finished" farmhouses surrounded almost years ago, Korea was swept by entirely by rice fields. In one of a wave of antireligious feeling Rev. Bruce Hunt, of Chung'- these homes, some 50 years ago, among the young people, espe- ju, Korea, lists projects either' Motohei Kanto was born. Moto- cially the students. At that completed or developed to the hei followed ancestral tradition time there was a strong wish point where they can be turned in becoming a farmer, but ex- among the John D. Wells stu- over to Koreans. One district, ceeded that tradition by attend- dents, for a new badge, without hitherto feeble, has undertaken ing an agricultural school, by the Maltese cross. As they partial support of an evangelisbecoming a Christian and by pointed out, no other school in tic helper and plans in three traveling abroad for further the city had a badge of this years to carry his whole supstudy. After three years in kind; the others were nearly all port. As to agricultural work, America and seven in Germany, conventionalized Chinese char- station pioneering is over, and studying theology and evan- acters. Now all on their own, this phase of country-church gelistic methods, as well as agri- these lads make the school this self-support turned over to a culture, he returned to Japan, gift, insuring that for all time trained Korean. Another job. where he decided to test his
done is consolidation of many A Sunday in 'Sumatra seven years from 1928 to 1935. Contributions for 1935 slightly "special offering days" in the A writer in the Christian Ad- exceeded those for 1934, how- vocate describes a morning serv- ever. The contribution per capchurches into the four author- ice at Balige, Sumatra: ita for all purposes in 1934 was $12.07 and in 1935 it was $12.10. ized by General Assembly for The church was filled to capacity- The contribution per capita for about fifteen hundred. We saw congregational purposes only Sunday schools in this country- throngs entering two other churches was $9.92 in 1934 and $9.98 for as well. That entire community is 1935. Easter, Children's Day, Thanks- now Christian and all work is laid aside on the Sabbath day. Total gifts declined from giving, Christmas. $532,368,714 in 1928 to $304,- . -Monday Morning. The people in the churches were 692,499 in 1935, while total clean, intelligent and worshipful. The gifts for congregational pur- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC music was all of the German chorale poses declined from $402,683,- type, and was the most beautiful we 861 to $251,347,435. The per Scene in Manila Cemetery had ever heard. There were no hymn capita contribution for all pur- books; the lines were read out by the poses declined from $23.30 in Moody Institute Monthly de- choir leader and the people all sang. 1928 to $12.10 in 1935. Per .scribes a scene in a Manila, P. I., capita contribution for congre- .cemetery in the evening of All- At the close of the service twenty- gational purposes declined from Saints' Day. six babies were baptized. They had $17.30 in 1928 to $9.98 in 1935. to be divided into two groups in order "All the tombstones were to be accommodated at the altar rail. The report says that nearly lighted with electricity. In many The mothers stood with the babies in all the communions maintained Df them were statues of the vir- their arms and the fathers in a row their per capita contributions gin, or statues of Christ on the behind them. for congregational expenses betcross with a light effect which ter than those for benevolences. :showed up his heart in red. New Vision for Village The Protestant Episcopalians Vendors of all kinds were on the Leaders were the only group to lose progrounds, and there was even a portionately less on benevolences booth where electrical supplies Two conferences for village than on contributions for conwere sold. The people believe leaders in Papua are reported in gregational expenses. that the souls of the dead ac- Kwato Mission Tidings; one at tually come back on this night. Kwato, the other at Koeabule. w. C. T. U. Is Growing Some time during the day a priest visits each grave, says a If one thing was more obvious than The Woman's Christian Temprayer, and charges twenty pisos another among the 86 men who fore- perance Union is now organized ($10) for each prayer. gathered at Koeabule, it was the spir- in fifty-two countries with a itual hunger of all who came. There half million paid-up member- A group of Christian students was no necessity to try to inspire ship. New members are joining ,distributed about 9,000 Gospel them to seek a fuller surrender, or to by the thousand. Mrs. Ella A. tracts that evening in the ceme- convict them of unfruitfulness and Boole, world president declared tery. the need for a new consecration. That at a recent meeting in New was just what they were yearning for, York : "Weare working not In the Face of Obstacles and the very reason why they had only for outlawing the liquor come. The Lord stated that those traffic in the United States, but Rev. William Swaan is labor- who hungered and thirsted after all over the world." The next jng among Dyaks and Chinese righteousness were the lucky ones world convention will be held in in Borneo. He .writes: "for they shall be filled," and these Washington, D. C., from June men certainly came longing to be 4-9, 1937. About ten villages are taking an filled and renewed. Some came from active stand for Christ, but Moslems an atmosphere of failure, where the – Watchman-Examiner. :and other enemies concentrate on our spiritual life had grown slack. A converts and make life very trying Buhutu man put it thus: "Every boat Bible 1,000 Years Old for them. With all our poverty and needs to be hauled up on the slips persecution and increased opposition and scraped and cleaned and painted, At the time of his coronation, from Moslems and Roman Catholics, and put into repair. We are like that Haile Selassie presented to H. eighteen souls were accepted for bap- too." He appealed earnestly to the Murray Jacoby, former Ambastism during the month of December. rest not to risk g'Qing back unfit for sador Extraordinary to Ethio- They are mostly people of one village commission through any shirking of pia, a one thousand-year-old ,close to Bengkajang, and have been response to the highest call that God Bible, written in Amharic. Mr. ,coming to our meetings for several would give them. Jacoby has just presented it to years. Please pray especially for the Friends Seminary, 226i East young Christians of this village, that A testimony meeting had to be con- Sixteenth Street, New York, of iGod may give them grace and power tinued the next day and the next. It which he is a trustee. to endure persecutions and hardships, required skill to keep the meeting in ·and witness faithfully for the Master. hand, as people were getting up three -New York Times. The Moslem problem is one of the at a time. greatest obstacles that we have to face. Many government officials are MISCELLANEOUS Moslems and have a tremendous influence over the lives and the affairs Survey of Church Giving .of our Christians. We know, how- ,ever, that God is greater than any The research department of ,obstacle or any force in the world. the Federal Council of Churches reports that annual gifts to -Fellowship of Faith for twenty-five Protestant church Moslems. bodies dropped 43 per cent in the
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Our Miss'ionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I~ Popular Hinduism. The Religion of roes (sometimes these are crim- men and women of various races the Masses. By L. S. S. O'Maney, started out, not for war, but to C.LE., I.C.S.246 pp. $2.50. Mac- inals). There is also a chapter give their lives in heroic deeds millan Co., New York. 1935. on priests and holy men, while for peace. Their object was to the last chapter deals with sec- save men, not to kill them. This This is an extraordinarily tarianism and toleration. Hin- required courage and training able and interesting boo k. duism, which ordinarily is a and sacrifice, but the results Clear, concise and logical in its static and pacific religion, can were beautiful beyond words. language, it gives an account of be aroused to fanatic passion, Hinduism in eight chapters, and instances are given where "Peace on earth, good will each of which is packed with in- the Hindus without provocation toward men" must come through formation and sententious state- rose against their Moslem neigh- such Christlike service. Young ment. The author's earlier bors to pillage, destroy and mas- people are not responsible for book, entitled "Indian Caste sacre. making war; that responsibility Customs," received a warm wel- lies with older men-the poli-, come in the British press. The One of the strangest chapters ticians and rulers who for selfpresent volume gives reliable in- is that which deals with the dei- ish purposes are willing to sacriformation based not only on fication of heroes. fice millions of lives. Youth is wide reading but also on per- naturally militant, and easily sonal observation. Here we have With their extraordinary combina- persuaded to enter the army, or tion of ignorance, credulity and super- they can be inspired through stition the masses are prone to such stories as this to seek the victories of peace. the contrast between the belief ascribe supernatural powers to per:. Those who have gone at the of the masses and that of cul- sons of great gifts, singular person- call of Christ, through all the tured Hindus who form a small ages, have found that "kingminority. The first chapter ality, and even strange habits. doms are subdued" not through murderous warfare, but through Two missionaries may be reckoned the treaty of Bethlehem and by among the number of those who have following the leadership of the Prince of Peace. deals with beliefs, and is funda- been treated as divine beings. One mental. The author says that was Dr. J. E. Clough, an American Lucy W. PEABODY. Baptist missionary, under whom there three characteristic features was a mass movement to Christianity Forty Happy Years in Japan. By constitute popular Hinduism: in the Nellore district during the George P. Pierson and Ida G. Pier- son. 8vo. 130 pp. $1.25. Flemcaste, the veneration of the famine of 1876-78, when he was dis- ing H. Revell Co., New York. 1936. Brahman, and the sacredness of tinguished for his philanthropy and the cow. The first is the spinal From 1888 to 1928, Dr. and cord of Hinduism; the second practical ability, and carried to a suc- Mrs. Pierson lived and labored in Japan as missionaries of cessful conclusion the construction of Christ under the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. They a section of a canal, which gave re- came to understand and to love the Japanese, and because of is its handicap for the depressed lief to many thousands. After labor- their knowledge and love for ing for forty years among the Telugu- God, they earnestly sought to classes; and the third unites all win them to Christ. Their field Hindus, for "the cow is the pre- speaking people to the north of was in the most northern island siding genius of the country." of Hokkaido which is still Madras, he was surprised and dis- largely unevangelized territory.
tressed to learn that many of his con- This volume is chiefly a col- lection of scattered reminis- Almost universal illiteracy does verts had reverted to some of the practices of their former religion and not militate against fanatic be- invoked his name in various rites and lief. Superstition is rife, and incantations as if he were a deity. In polytheism runs riot. another mission field further south Mr. O'Malley doubts whether men who had been Christians treated India is more spiritual in its out- the grave of a missionary who had recently died as if it were a shrine, look than Europe. Litigation on and when his friends buHt a high a scale of five million cases a wall round the grave, in order to put a stop to the worship, they continued year is scarcely an index of a it outside the wall. S. M. ZWEMER. spiritually-minded people. In chapter three, which deals with· Victories of Peace. Stories of moral influences, he points out Friendship in Action. 12mo. 28. 6d. the gulf that separates religion Student Christian Movement Press. from ethics. Other chapters 1935.
deal with worship, evil spirits, In this interesting book of ten present-day deifications of he- stories of adventures of peace, Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by tlie REVIEW publishers on receipt of price, [271 ]
cences of forty years in evan- hood of Man as exemplified by tress during many months of gelistic work-memories of mis- Christ. The lectures are good sleepless nights and pain-filled sionaries and Japanese; of ex- but in our judgment do not go days, and, like her Master, has periences in typhoons, tidal far enough in their New Testa- learned obedience by the things waves and earthquakes; of per- ment position. she has suffered. One result is sonal work and conversations on this beautiful, inspiring book. religion; of work with children A Grain of Wheat. By Toyohiko Its tone is not gloomy and reand the Japanese Church; of Kagawa. Illus. 12mo. 150 pp. signed to defeat but joyous and meetings and revivals in thea- $1.00. Harper and Bros. New victorious. The pictures are arters, prisons and rural towns. York. 1936. tistic reproductions of the beau- There are also reports of prog- ties of God's creation-in forest ress and some conclusions as to Dr. Kagawa, the well-known and flower, in hill and valley, in Japanese history and customs; Christian evangelist and social summer and winter, in storm as to methods of work and the reformer, here appears as a and sunshine. place of women missionaries; as novelist-a role in which he is . The message is correspondto Japanese converts and work- famous in Japan. Over a million ingly beautiful- in verse and ers; as to missionary life and and a quarter copies of his books prose, with quoted gems and obwhat Japan most needs. While have been sold in Japan and this servations from personal experithe book lacks in literary merit, novel has already been through ence. The whole is inbreathed it makes up for this lack in in- two hundred editions. with trust in God and a recogformation and inspiration. The nition of His loving care. Any authors have shown themselves It is an interesting and mov- who come into contact with life's to be truly devoted missionaries, ing story of a young Japanese darker side will find here comwith courage and perseverance; of the rural masses who strug- forting help and peace that prayerfully depending on the gles against poverty and sin and comes from harmony with God power of the Holy Spirit to finally discovers the way to vic- and rejoicing in His will. make their work effective. tory and satisfaction through Christian teaching. Here in a The Case for Missions in Modern The Kingdom of God in Japan. Lec- popular form is a strong plea for India. By E. C. Dewick, M.A. tures by C. Burnell Olds. Pamph- helping to carry out Dr. Kaga- 25 pp. 3 Annas. The Palghat let. 25 cents. C. B. Olds, Jr., wa's Christian program for the Mission, Coyalmannan P.O., Pal- 1888 East 81st Street, Cleveland, rural population. The story is ghat. South India. 1934. Ohio. 1936. well told and the purpose of it is clear – to promote temperance Within the pages of this little The author of these lectures and economic reform. It 'will hook much insight and wisdom has been in Japan for thirty- help the reader to understand are to be found. As it states the three years as a missionary of and to sympathize with the peo- case for missions in every counthe American Board. The man- ple of that Empire who are try as well as in India, no one uscript was read by Rev. Akira handicapped by poverty but who will fail to profit by reading it. Ebisawa, Secretary of the Na- have such great possibilities. All who realize the modern detional Christian Council of The illustrations are from the cline of interest in missions not Japan, so that the statements cinema version of the story, only in you n g mISSIOnary and views have been doubly which we are told has created a churches, hut also in the parent checked. Mr. Olds' purpose is sensation in Japan. churches, will be glad to have to show the progress made by the situation examined with Christianity in Japan and to Gold by Moon,Iight. By Amy Car- candor and restraint by one as consider the most effective meth- michael. Illus. 8vo. 182 pp. S. P. well qualified to do so as the ods for its extension. The pres- C. K. London. Obtainable in author. entation is popular and inform- America at $1.50 from Hope Church ing – factual and from experi- Sunday School, St. Louis, Mo. After following his discussion ence. Mr. Olds' idea of the ob- 1935. -in the modern way-of such jective of Christian missions is questions as: the promotion of understanding Here is another book for sufand harmony between God and ferers and other Christians in Unfair methods of propaganda, man and between man and man. difficult places; for those who Missions are the expression of an Apparently he would not put the long to understand, or if they spiritual regeneration of the in- cannot understand, to draw pre- out-of-date religious imperialism, dividual first, and does not em- cious values out of seemingly Who should go as missionaries, phasize the necessity for per- impossible places. Miss Carsonal acceptance of Christ's michael, the human founder of few readers will fail to agree atoning death on the Cross and Dohnavur Fellowship-the mis- with Mr. Dewick's conclusion of belief in His resurrection from sion for temple children in South the matter which is: the dead. His emphasis is on India – has been used to bring the realization of the Father- many dark and suffering souls If the Christian missionary hood of God and the Brother- into the light and joy of Chris- presents Christ in His simplicity tian experience. She herself and grandeur, as pictured in the has suffered great physical dis- New Testament, he will have a message and a contribution for the world which can be given in no other way. JANE C. GOHEEN.
&!npl.. 01 0101' St.incUy School pubheatl_••1'4 Sheaves After Harvest. Andrew A. THAT
llabl. Ceur_ for Younq People', Soc..U.. Bonar. 126 pp. Is. Pickering & ..n! free on Jequeet. Inglis. London. THE BIBLE Used in thousands of Sunday Schools EST. 1886 Sources of Power in Famous Lives. where leaders believe in the inspira- Walter C. Erdman. 158 pp. $1.00. tion of God's Word• CHRISTIAN PUBUCATIONS.lN<: Cokesbury. Nashville. FREE PROSPECTUS of department 1502 N. Third St., Herrl.burl, Pe. Victories of Peace. D. M. Gill and in which you are interested and sam- A. M. Pullen. 128 pp. 2s. 6d. S. C. ple lessons (Graded or Uniform) will New Book. M. Press. London. be sent on request. Desk MR-S.
The Making of a Pioneer. Percy The Clash of Color. A Study in the Rev. W. Y. Chen, Ph.D., has been Mather of Central Asia. Mildred Problem of Race. Basil Mathews. appointed General Secretary of the Cable and Francesca French. Illus. Second Edition. Maps. 160 pp. National Christian Council of China 288 pp. $2. Stokes. New York. 2s. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- to succeed Dr. C. Y. Cheng, now Mod- don. erator of the United Church of China. The Apostle of the Chinese Commu- Until recently, Dr. Chen was pastor nists. Daniel Nelson. 139 pp. $1. At the Point of a Lancet. One Hun- of the Methodist Church of Foochow. Board of Foreign Missions of the dred Years of the Canton Hospital, During the last twelve months he has Norwegian Lutheran Church. Min- 1835-1935. William Warder Cad- been Acting President of Fukien neapolis. bury and Mary Hoxie Jones. 304 Christian University. pp. Kelly & Walsh, Ltd. Shanghai. Arthington's Million. The Romance Obituary Notes of the Arthington Trust. A. M. Congo Crosses-A Study of Congo Chirgwin. Illus. Maps. 160 pp. Womanhood. Julia Lake Kellers- (Concluded from second cover.) Livingstone Press. London. 2s. berger. 222 pp. 50 cents, paper; and 3s. $1.00, cloth. Central Committee has been extended for hundreds of for the United Study of Foreign miles throughout the vast North The Problem of Japan. Malcolm D. Missions. Boston. Brazil area. It has been a great force Kennedy. Illus. Maps. 287 pp. in the religious and cultural life of 15s. Nisbet. London. Glitter or Gold. M. E. Gillespie. the evangelical churches of that area. 240 pp. 2s. Pickering & Inglis. Papuans of the Trans-Fly. F. E. London. F. H. Hawki*ns,*fo*r over 40 years Williams. Illus. 452 pp. 30s. Oxford University Press. London. Jewels of Promise. Boardman Ser- a secretary and director of the Lon- mons. W. M. Seay. 151 pp. $1. don Missionary Society, died on Feb- Sharing Observations with the Home Boardman Press. Nashville. ruary 6. Until his retirement he was Church. Charles D. Bonsack. 287 responsible for the Society's work in pp. $2.00. Brethren Publishing Kagawa. An Apostle of Japan. House. Elgin, Ill. Margaret Baumann. 95 pp. 75 China. ** * cents. Macmillan. New York. Education for Service in the Chris- Bishop William Burt, for twenty- tian Church in China. The Report Daniel Alexander Payne. Josephus five years in charge of the European of a Survey Commission, 1935. Roosevelt Coan. 139 pp. A. M. E. Conference of the Methodist Epis- 157 pp. 60 cents. World Sunday Book Concern. Philadelphia, Pa. copal Church and later of the Buffalo School Assn. New York. Diocese, died at Clifton Springs, New John and Betty Stamm: Martyrs. York, on April 9th, at 83 years of Christian Education Overseas. A Lee S. Huizenga. 95 pp. 35 cents, age. Brief Survey. A. Victor Murray, paper; 75 cents, cloth. Zondervan F. F. Monk and Ronald Rees. 45 Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born in Cornwall, England, pp. Is. S. C. M. Press. London. but moved to Massachusetts as a lad Henry Hammond Spalding. Pioneer and worked in a machine shop to help The Malabar Syrians and the Church of Old Oregon. Clifford Merrill support his family. He was gradu- Missionary Society, 1816-1840. P. Drury. 438 pp. $3. Caxton ated from Wesleyan University in Cheriyan. 438 pp. C. M. S. Press. Printers, Ltd. Caldwell, Idaho. 1879 and from Drew Theological Kottayam. Seminary two years later. In 1887 We Beheld His Glory. Nicholas he went to Europe and made his home Primitives and Supernatural. Lucien Arseniev. 220 pp. $3. Morehouse in Rome. In 1912 he was made Bishop Levy-Bruhl. 405 pp. 18s. Allen Pub. Co. Milwaukee. of Buffalo District and held that posi- & Unwin. London. tion until his retirement in 1934. He Personal Items is survived by his widow, three daugh- The Question of the Church in the ters and two sons. World Today. J. H. Oldham. 32 (Concluded from page 225.) pp. International Missionary Coun- Dr. Paul L. *Co*rbin*, for 30 years cil. New York and London. Dr. Courtenay H. Fenn, for thirty- five years a missionary of the Presby- a member of the Taiku Station of the The Christian Faith in the Modern terian Church and recently Recording American Board in Shansi, died on World. J. Gresham Machen. 258 Secretary of the Presbyterian Board January 9th. Under his leadership pp. $2. Macmillan. New York. of Foregn Missions, retired from ac- many new outstation churches and tive service on April 11th, having schools were opened, and the member- Uganda. H. B. Thomas and Robert reached the age limit. His total ship of the churches increased rapidly. Scott. Illus. Maps. 559 pp. 15s. missionary service connected with the Oxford University Press. London. Board of Foreign Missions was forty- three years, most of which was spent The Customs of the Baganda. Sir in North China. As principal of Apolo Kagwa. 199 pp. Columbia Truth Hall, professor of the North University Press. New York. China Theological College and prin- cipal of the Union Bible Institute of North China, Dr. Fenn has rendered very valuable service. He was also for fifteen years secretary of the North China Tract Society, and made notable contributions to the literature of the Chinese Christian Church, in- cluding a concordance of the Man- darin Bible, the Interwoven Gospel, a Chinese-English Pocket Dictionary and a number of tracts. Dr. and Mrs. Fenn have also given a daughter and a son to missionary work in China.
AND WHITE VIEWS
AMERICAN NEGRO PROGRESS In Our Special June Number HELPS AND HANDICAPS TO NEGRO CHRISTIAN PROGRESS W. R. WRIGHT, JR., Wilberforce University BISHOP R. C. RANSOM, Wilberforce, Ohio SOME ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE EMANCIPATION CHARLES H. WESLEY, Howard University MONROE N. WORK, Tuskegee Institute WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE? JOHN LITTLE, Louisville, Kentucky FRED 1. BROWNLEE, Secretary, American Missionary Association WHAT NEGROES ARE DOING FOR NEGROES 1. 1. BERRY, Secretary of Missions WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR AMERICAN NEGROES W. A. C. HUGHES, Philadelphia THE FUTURE OF THE NEGRO IN AMERICA CHARLES S. JOHNSON, Fisk University WHAT NEGROES ARE THINKING TODAY FORRESTER B. WASHINGTON, Atlanta, Georgia PROGRESS MADE IN RACE RELATIONSHIPS WILL W. ALEXANDER, Atlanta, Georgia SOME OUTSTANDING NEGRO CHRISTIANS JOSEPHUS R. COAN, Morris Brown College C. H. TOBIAS, National Council, Y. M. C. A.
THE NEGRO YOUTH AND THE CHURCH MARTIN 1. HARVEY, JR., African M. E. Zion Church TRAINING CHRISTIAN LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE CHARLES LEANDER HILL, Turner Seminary BEST BOOKS ABOUT AMERICAN NEGROES WM. LLOYD IMES, New York ORDER NOW FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CIRCLE 25 Cmts a Copy $20.00 a HUl1dred $2.50 a Year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
Robert E. Speer, President Delavan 1. Pierson, Editor