The Missionary Review of the World — October 1935
1935
Latin Am.erica Nutnber The Latin American Lands Mary Wilhelmine Williams The Need for the Gospel Edward M. Haymaker Unevangelized Areas in Latin America John Ritchie The Indians South of the Rio Grande Joseph H. Davis Emerging Latin American Youth S. Franklin Mack Religious Education……Old and New Homer C. Stuntz Growth of Religious Liberty Charles S. Detweiler The Influence of the Printed Word H. C. Tucker A Living Church in Latin America Kenneth S. Grubb Cooperation and Unity Webster E. Browning Twice Born Latin Americans Various Authors 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
Notes Dates to
menever Rev. William Gunn, M.D., a Scot- September 27-0ctober 6-Interna- tish missionary who spent over half a tional Committee of International the Call comes from century in the New Hebrides, died at Missionary Council. Northfield, Sydney, Australia. Most of Dr. Mass. EAST OF SUEZ Gunn's life was spent on the island of Futuna, but his fame as a surgeon October 5-6-Loyalty Days. sail by and physician spread far beyond this island. He was well known in Aneit- October 15-20 – International Con- p&O yum and many other stations of the vention of the Disciples of Christ. John G. Paton Mission to the New San Antonio, Texas. To whatever part of the East the work Hebrides. of the Faith may take you ••• Cunard October 16, 17-American Mission to *** Lepers. Annual Meeting, New White Star and P & 0 combine to York. Tuesday – Medical Confer- Rev. W. Kendall Gale, L. M. S. ence, 156 Fifth Avenue. Evening make the way easy• You cross to pioneer in Madagascar, who died meeting at Madison Ave. Baptist England by the largest fleet on the June 7 after an operation, was prob- Church, Rev. and Mrs. R. C. Rich- Atlantic ••• then sail eastward on the ably the founder of more churches ardson of Miraj, India, will speak. new s.s. Strathnaver or s. s. Strathaird than any other missionary; he had TVednesday-All-day meeting at the or any other fast luxurious P&O liners. not far from 300 on his roll in the 27 Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Thus you use throughout the two years of his service. House. Speakers – Rev. J. Kelly Lines preferred by travelers since Unger of Korea; Dr. E. R. Kellers- *** berger ,of the Belgian Congo, and 1840 • • • on the Indian and Pacific Miss Alma Dodds of Tenghsien, Mrs. Thomas H. Candor, over 40 China. as well as the Atlantic oceans. Tra- years a Presbyterian missionary in ditions of seamanship and service that Colombia, South America, died at her October 22-Five Years' Meeting of have endured for nearly a century, home in Pasadena, Calif., July 30. the Friends. Richmond, Ind. are your assurance of a safe and Mrs. Candor was first appointed as a supremely comfortable voyage. missionary to the Seminole Indians, in October 28-November 1- Houston, 1879. Texas. Mrs. E. B. Mohle, 2309 PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL Robinhood, Houston, Texas. AND *** BRITISH INDIA November 3-9-Christian Home Week. Tom Noonan, known to thousands STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANIES as the Bishop of Chinatown, New November 17-Men and Missions Sun- York City, died last August in a Long day. Topic: "Jesus Christ and the P & 0 liners sail regularly from London to Island Hospital gasping for air and World Today." For source material Egypt, Sudan and the Persian Gulf, to India, murmuring about "the brightest light write to the Laymen's Missionary Burma and Ceylon, to the Straits Settle- he ever saw." He was a man re- Movement, 19 S. La Salle St., Chiments, China and Japan, to Australia and deemed from a life of sin and who cago. New Zealand, East and South Africa, devoted himself to serving Jesus in Mauritius, etc. Convenient through book- the Rescue Society Mission. Tom November 28-Thanksgiving Day. ings at attractively low fares can be arranged Noonan was born, he said, "somewhere by your local travel agent or any office of . on the sidewalks of New York 57 December 7-Universal Bible Sunday. Cunard White Star Line. years ago." Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth was his friend and helped him December 28, 1935-January 1, 1936- up until he devoted his life forever Student Volunteer Convention. In- to the business of leading the under- dianapolis, Ind. world of Chinatown to Jesus. " If you use ** * PRINTING Dr. James M. Gray, until recently the president of Moody Bible Insti- Y OU will profit from an ac- tute, Chicago, and well-known as quaintanceship with us. We author and speaker on Biblical do the job complete in our own themes, died in Chicago, on Saturday, plant, whether it be large or September 21st. Dr. Gray was eighty- small. four years of age and for the past forty years has been connected with While our specialty is Books, the Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Gray Magazines and Pamphlets, yet is survived bv three sons. we have a variety of modern equipment to meet all the re- quirements of your particular job. You will find our service prompt, careful and courteous.
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MISSIONARY of South America," "The Lowland In- "To the Orient"
REVIEW OF THE WORLD dians of South America," and "South -in Chinese America-the Land of the Future." DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor GO DIRECT The Rev. S. Franklin Mack has just TO THE ORIENT VOL. LVIII OCT.,1935 No. 10 returned from visiting the mission stations of the Presbyterian Board in ONLY 10 DAYS TO YOKOHAMA .. . Publication and Business Office- Latin America. He traveled some fastest, shortest Pacific crossing .. . Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. 25,000 miles, 8,000 by air, and took by the sister-ships, Empress of hundreds of feet of film and many Asia or Empress of Russia. Or via Editorial and Executive Office- photographs to be used in making Honolulu in 3 days more on the 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. known the work of the Board. Empress of Japan (mighty speed- Entered as second-class matter at queen of the Pacific) or the Em- The Rev. Chas. S. Detweiler, who press of Canada. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under is superintendent of Baptist Missions LOW ALL·YEAR ROUND·TRIP Act of March 3, 1879. in Latin America, is well known to FARES . .. outstanding First Class, our readers as the author of many attractive Tourist Class. Low-cost 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. articles on Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc. Third Class on all "Empresses." Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Summer round-trip fares to the Published monthly, except August. The Rev. H. C. Tucker, D.D., re- Orient even lower. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. tired this spring after forty-seven FREQUENT SAILINGS from Van- British agents – Marshall, Morgan years of service as agent of the couver (trains to ship-side) and and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, American Bible Society in Brazil. Victoria. Orient fares include pas- London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, His work brought him in touch with sage to and from Seattle. Orient 10 shillings a year. the general religious, educational and ports-of-call: Yokohama, Kobe, civic life of the people among whom Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- he worked. His concern over sanitary Manila. LISHING CO., INC. and civic conditions led to activities oAlso .. •low-cost World Tours. which shared in the establishment of BO OKLETS from YOUR OWN AGENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS hospitals, children's playgrounds, or Canadian Pacific: New YQrk, ROBERT E. SPEER, President nurses' training and the curbing of Chicago, San Francisco, and 34 WM. I. CHAMBERLAIN, Vice-President yellow fever. other cities in the U. S. and Canada. WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary The Rev. Epaminondas M. Do Amaral is General Secretary of the SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Evangelical Federation of Brazil. MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD His article was translated into Eng- lish by the Rev. C. Godinho. WM. B. LIPPHARD The Rev. Hugh C. Stuntz, B.D., a ERIC M. NORTH son of Bishop Homer Stuntz of the JESSE R. WILSON Methodist Episcopal Church, has been engaged in religious educational work A. L. W ARNSHUIS in Latin America since 1920—{)rgan- izing Sunday schools in Chile, serving SA~1UEL M. ZWEMER as president of the Theological Semi- nary at Buenos Aires, and since 1934 Editorial Chat president of the American Institute at La Paz, Bolivia. m;" We were so richly blessed with Dr. Webster E. Browning, for many terial for the special number on Latin years a Presbyterian missionary, is America that all of it could not be representative of the Committee on Cocrowded into this number. Among the operation in Latin America, at Buenos articles that are held over and will Aires. He writes from wide and long appear in November are: experience on "Unity and Coopera- tion." He is the author of "The Re- "The CrlJcial Issue in Latin Amer- public o:t Ecuador," "New Days in ica," by John A. Mackay. Latin America," and a collaborator on several reports of surveys. "A Church on the Job in Mexico," by R. C. Morrow. *** "The Movement of the Spirit in "I used lots of your June issue in Mexico," by N. W. Taylor. my Methods periods and folks bought a number of copies of the magazine "Some Results of the Gospel," by for the suggestions in the Effective George A. Miller. Ways of Working Department and the special home mission articles. It's "Some Social and Religious Prob- a fine issue." lems," by Pedro Zottele. MRS. B. P. HEUBNER, Teacher of "William Bagby-Pioneer in Bra- Standard Mission Study Courses. zil," by Inabelle G. Coleman. *** *** "Mrs. Elaine Goodale Eastman, CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE speaking of the article on 'Federal Favor for Fetishism,' has written to Prof. Mary W. Williams, in addi- several New England papers advising tion to her teaching experience and that it be read. Already the Springher special study of the past and pres- field Republican and another newsent history of Latin America, has vis- paper have printed her letters. Rev. ited the twenty countries at various G. E. E. Lindquist was much pleased times. Her book, "The People and with the article and will be circulating Politics of Latin America," is widely it as he goes about among the Inused as a textbook in many colleges. dians."
Rev. Edward M. Haymaker, D.D., [449 ] has spent nearly fifty years in Latin America, most of the time in Guatemala, as a missionary of the Presbyterian Church. In 1933 he was honorably retired but continues to live there and edits the mission papeF, Guatemala News.
Kenneth G. Grubb was formerly a missionary in South America. He has traveled extensively in all Latin America for the World Dominion Movement and has prepared many surveys published by the Movement, among them, "The Northern Republics
A WAYSIDE SHRINE ON THE STREETS OF CUZCO, PERU THE VIRGIN OF
DANCING BEFORE THE SHRINE OF THE VIRGIN OF COPACABANA ROMAN CATHOLIC WORSHIP IN LATIN AMERICA ORLD VOLUME LVIII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 1935 Topies of the Times WHY SEND MISSIONARIES TO to certain ideals. No. The great and only suffi- LATIN AMERICA cient reason for Protestant miSSiions to Latin Americans is that of the 115,000,000 people living Out of 682,400,000 nominal Christians in the in those countries at least 50,000,000-a conservaworld, probably over 500,000,000 would say there tive estimate-have no saving knowledge of Christ is no need for such an enterprise as Protestant and His Gospel; this is according to the testimony missions in Latin America. A map of the world of their own people.' Note these facts: religions shows Mexico, Central America and most of South America as Roman Catholic. This 1. There are in Latin America at least 15,000,- Church accepts the Bible as the inspired Word of 000 Indians who are still practically pagans.
God, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Saviour Many have been baptized as Catholics but with- of men through His death on the Cross, the Holy out any understanding of the Way of Life in Spirit as the divine guide and giver of power to Christ. They are as superstitious as before, even men. These doctrines of the Gospel are accepted though they may attend festivals and observe the by Roman Catholics even more generally than by ritual of the church. Hundreds of thousands of Protestants. Why then should we send Christian them live in the interior and have never come into missionaries to Latin Americans, at an expense contact with white people, much less with repre- of millions of dollars, in spite of the opposition of sentatives of Christ.
the Roman Catholic Church that has dominated 2. About one-fourth of the people of Latin Latin America for four hundred years? Is this America are atheists or agnostics. Their families effort justified? may be conne~ted with the church but they them- If so, it is certainly not for the same reason selves have given up all faith in God and prac- that Mussolini claims justification for sending his tically never attend religious services. They have military mission to Abyssinia – to extend the not been attracted by the kind of Christianity with borders of his kingdom, to give occupation to his which they have come into contact.
soldiers and to strengthen fascist morale. The 3. Even the members of the Roman Catholic Evangelical Christian Church is not merely seek- Church who are faithful in its observances and ing to extend its borders or increase its adherents. are loyal to the priests are, to a large extent, un- Nevertheless for one hundred years Protestant educated as to the teachings of the Bible and the missionaries have been going to the Latin Amer- Way of Life offered by Christ. They place the icans to preach the Gospel of Christ; they have Virgin Mary above Christ as an intercessor and sacrificially expended money and life; they have make their petitions almost exclusively to her and endured opposition, misrepresentation and perse- to numerous saints. They have been taught that cution; they have called together leaders in con- salvation is obtained through baptism into the ferences at Panama, Montevideo and Rio de Ja- Catholic Church and that good works are even neiro to plan for more effective advance. Why all more important than is faith in the finished work this expenditure of money, effort, life? of the Redeemer. Many of the priests who rep- The reason is not merely because large num- resent to them the authority of the Church are not bers of the people in those countries are back- worthy of respect. These uneducated church peo- ward, illiterate, or living in poverty; it is not be- pIe are more sinned against than sinning. They cause of the political unrest or failure to live up are religious but not Christian.
[451 ]
4. The results of Evangelical Christian work in: made up of what we try to sell them-automobiles, Latin America show its value. While the number typewriters, threshing machines? of those who have been baptized into Evangelical Church membership has not been large, the testi- Our missionaries are not impertinent intruders mony of Latin Americans show that they have in Latin American life. In the first place, most found new life in Christ through the Gospel. all the southern countries have invited the mis- There is abundant evidence that Evangelical mis- sionaries in a rather direct, semi-official way to sion work is owned of God. come. And missionaries have gone to live with the people, learn their language, study their life, These are sufficient reasons to convince loyal share their burdens and help solve their problems. Christians of the need for including millions of When you visit the missionary in Latin America Latin Americans in the number of those who still you find him living among friends. These regard need to be evangelized. The Gospel of Christ pre- him highly and appreciate deeply that here is one sents the true hope not only for eternal life but who represents the best in his own country and for development of character and for stabilizing with whom they can discuss those great spiritual governments and the reformation of society. questions which are the most important in life.
SHARING OUR BEST There are many other reasons for North Amer- ica sending missionaries to Latin America, but Fundamentally, for the same reasons that we those who are cognizant of all the evil influences send missionaries to the big cities or the far West exported to Southern America by this fair land of of the United States, or to China or to Africa- ours should be especially anxious to help share we want to share with Latin Americans the love of with them the best in our Christian religion. Christ which means so much to us. But, further, because of the other influences we send to Latin SAMUEL GUY INMAN. America. We have sent our marines. With machine guns and bombing planes our soldiers have ARE FOREIGN MISSIONS A LEADING hunted the "natives" and when off duty have ENTERPRISE? often engaged in the most repulsive orgies in dives and saloons. They have often suppressed The missionary spokesmen in some denominaliberties and ruthlessly wrested every measure of tions have been projecting their fallacies upon the democracy from the lands they have invaded. apparent assumption that the foreign missionary work of these denominations has reached its We have sent Latin America our bond sales- zenith and is henceforth to decline. Is this a men. These have combined with ruthless South valid assumption? Whether or not it is so in any American dictators to fasten great debts on the one denomination is a question which probably people, at times using direct bribes for the pur- the leaders of the missionary cause in that depose, and in many ways corrupting government nomination are best qualified to say. And time officials and setting up false standards of value. will inevitably bring its answer.
We have sent Latin America our munitions But if we have regard to the nature and misdealers, who have urged on the makers of war, pit- sion of Christianity in the world, to the need of ting one government against another in spending men and nations for the true Gospel of the Son of their small budgets in war materials with the false God and the Saviour of mankind, and to the prachope of winning in an armament race. Bribes tically untouched resources of some Christian comand deception have been the morals too often munions, the idea that the work of foreign mistaught by North American salesmen of munitions sions has reached its maximum development and in dealing with our southern neighbors. is henceforth to wane becomes intellectually and morally untenable. We have sent Latin America thousands of reels of moving pictures which exalt gangsters, lewd It is, indeed, possible, if not also desirable and women, deceit and murder. Not a city in all these inevitable, that some of the forms and methods of southern countries where children and adults alike the missionary enterprise should change, but unare not having their ,characters shaped by the til in every land agencies are brought into being motion pictures sent from the United States. which can rightly be expected to take over the whole task of national evangelization, the duty of We have sent them our night club hostesses, the Christian churches of other lands to share in jazz-bands and ballet dancers, our shady show- the task is not open to evasion or avoidance. men, shysters and bathing beauties, and a terrible lot of pornographic literature. There may be bodies of Christians who think that their share in the task is done. They will Do we want our southern neighbors to think have to answer themselves to the Head of the that the above represent our country? Are we church for their judgment. And it is clear enough willing to have them believe even that our life is that in some lands some forms of work are no
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
longer possible. But in not one of the countries to fascism at home in the heat of patriotic mili- in which the foreign missionary work has been tary fervor, and insuring a further term of per- done in the past is the task accomplished, while sonal dictatorship.
in some of them new need has become manifest Sixth, it is almost ideally situated to complete and in other lands Christianity has been set back a powerful Italian empire in Mediterranean in ways that demand a resolute purpose of re- Africa, thus at one stroke giving Italy a voice in covery. Africa comparable to that of France and Britain, If the missionary enterprise is now to recede it a strength in the Mediterranean rivalling Britain, will not be because of diminished need, or of the and a threat at Suez and the Red Sea-Britain's accomplishment of the work, or of the discovery vitally important and jealously guarded route to of defect or inadequacy in Christianity, but it will India.
be as the result of waning faith or of relaxed One need not be unduly cynical about Britain's grasp of the essential nature of the Gospel or of a strong protective protests thus far in Ethiopia's relaxed will of sacrifice and devotion, and such behalf, to suggest that the tap root of British in- recession can be only temporary. It will be suc- terest in the whole matter is to be found in this ceeded in due time by a recovery of faith and a sixth and last enumeration of things which make fresh outburst of the Christian purpose to make Ethiopia so expensively important to Italy.
Christ Lord of all. ROBERT E. SPEER. The threat which has now come to the entire peace of the world should reinforce the prayers THE ITALO-ETHIOPIAN SITUATION and the determination of Christians everywhere From the European point of view, there is in- that Ethiopia shall not be wiped out, but that she volved in what has come to be called the Italo- Ethiopian situation enormously more than the may have continued opportunity and increased mere fate of Ethiopia. Otherwise there certainly would not have been much more effective effort aid in developing her own culture and solving her at Geneva and elsewhere during the past few weeks than there was when the Japanese con- own numerous internal problems. quest of Manchuria was being prepared and effected. She has welcomed the Protestant missionary Various elements in Ethiopia's importance to work which in recent years is being so splendidly Italy and the rest of the world may be stated as follows: done within her borders. The Emperor has First, Ethiopia is a rich country both as to soil evinced utmost confidence in the missionary leadand subsoil. Platinum, gold, copper, coal, sul- ers devoting themselves to his people. The churches of America have a heavy responsibility toward this oldest Christian nation which stretches forth at this time its hands in what is probably the most critical hour of its long and eventful history. EMORY Ross.
phur, iron and other rich minerals are known to A CHALLENGE TO FOREIGN be there. Its plateaux of 6,000 and 8,000 feet are MISSIONARIES! well watered, fertile, capable of multiplied pro- duction of cotton, wheat, rubber, wax, coffee, to- A generation ago foreign missionaries were sent bacco, oil. Cattle thrive. It is a rich country. forth from America through the great evangelistic Second it is sparsely populated and has large faith of the Protestant churches. Convinced areas open and suitable for European coloniza- Christians took up with enthusiasm their re1Pon- tion, an outlet Italy's expanding population sorely sibilities of making Christ known in all parts of needs. the world. Today the missionary movement is Third, it controls the waters of the Blue Nile, able to continue only through the sustained efforts necessary for Britain's cotton-growing expansion of sincere evangelistic Christians. To in<;rease in the Nile Valley, and therefore is an invaluable their number, especially among the younger gen- trading pawn for Italy to use in getting conces- eration who must take the place of the missionary- sions out of Britain in other territorial or political minded men and women of yesterday, is the fundaspheres. mental requirement for a forward movement in Fourth, because of the still-rankling 1896 de- missions. Missionary methods are important but feat at Adowa, it is a splendid scene for a dra- an evangelistic dynamic is essential.
matic Italian victory-at-arms. The churches in America have suffered a severe Fifth, it was doubtless conceived by Mussolini attack from behind their lines. The skepticism to be about the least dangerous ground in the of modern philosophers, novelists, and critics has world on which to stage a slashing return to the poisoned the springs of public opinion until to- old days of a conquering Roman empire, thus day many former church people are losing sight achieving unity by action, burning up opposition of the significance of Jesus Christ for themselves
and for humanity. Life has lost its meaning and human hearts to transform lives and to prepare Christianity is understood only as a social tradi- men for service. These last factors are too often tion and not as a living dynamic power in per- overlooked or minimized by travelers who seek sonal and social life. Foreign missionaries have to appraise missionary work. A mission cannot been trained to confront non-Christian religions be judged by its denominational affiliation, its inwith the vital message of Christ. From their ex- dependent character or even by its ideals and perience they can tell of what Christ means and claims. No better standard of judgment has been does in the life of individuals, in the home, in so- discovered than that indicated by Christ: "By ciety, and in the nation. Have they not a great their fruits ye shall know them." contribution to make in confronting the non-Christian forces at home and the churches themselves Many stations in mission fields are worthy of with this same great message? study as spiritual power houses. One is described by the Rev. Kirkland West-the Weihsien Station, The furloughed missionary has a great oppor- Shantung Province, China. In brief he outlines tunity to bring a message to the Church at home. the work as follows: The Church needs cheering and aid in resisting the attack from behind its lines at home. Dr. E. "Weihsien Mission Station is located about two Stanley Jones has shown us what a wide response miles from the city and is a little village by itself awaits such a message. The vitality of the Church which we call the mission compound, all the propis measured now as it always has been in the past erty being enclosed by a wall. The community by its missionary zeal. So is it not the great op- of people includes some five hundred students in portunity of foreign missionaries today, not the primary and high school with the teachers merely to seek support for some specific piece of and their families; some fifty Chinese nurses, work, but to demonstrate the power and meaning student nurses, doctors, laundrymen, cooks and of their message and arouse the Church in Amer- coolies who look after fifty or sixty patients in ica to a renewed evangelistic purpose? In thus the hospital and clinic; fifty young women who strengthening and clarifying the Church's vision study to learn how to carry the Gospel to country of Christ the foreign missionary would also dem- women; three Chinese pastors who look after onstrate the universality of the Christian message spiritual needs in the station and in surrounding and the world need for it. America needs its for- country districts; thirteen American missioneign missionaries. Will the furloughed mission- aries with their children. aries meet the challenge? A. L. WARNSHUIS. "We at Weihsien are working together as a A MISSION STATION AS A POWER HOUSE Gospel team. Our daily routine carries us into various departments of work, and we meet to- Many visitors to mission fields are impressed gether each noon day to pray for one another's chiefly by the material equipment – that which problems, and remember that we are all engaged represents money and physical labor-the schools, in God's work-which is one." hospitals, church buildings, bookshops, missionary residences and industrial shops, if any. There are many other missions of outstanding These are important but they may mean anything character as "power stations" – such as Pyengor nothing from a Christian missionary point of yang, Korea; Meshed, Persia; Maimyo, Burma; view. Dohnavur, India; Hillah, Iraq; Kwato, Papua; Camaroun, West Africa. In every mission field Much more important is the personnel-the mis- these "power stations" are characterized first of sionaries, evangelists, teachers, doctors, nurses, all by loyalty to Christ, as Saviour and Lord, and and other workers. Their number and intellectual to the Word of God; second by believing prayer training are of secondary importance to their as the chief means of solving all problems, healspiritual life, power and purpose but unless there ing the sick (physically and spiritually), casting is a third factor they are useless as missionaries. out demons, winning souls, receiving guidance, This factor consists of the people among whom overcoming opposition and obtaining support for and for whom the missionaries work-the pupils, the work. Every station and every mission home patients, families, visitors, students in training, may be a "power house" where spiritual contacts pastors, Bible women and the Christian constit- are kept alive and where power is received, transuency. Here is the visible evidence of efficiency. formed and passed on to give warmth, light and But other factors even more essential to success energy to all the workers, for all the work of God, are the spiritual forces that are discernable only in all departments. But the opportunities for to spiritual eyes-the faith, prayer-life; spirit of "power houses" are not confined to the mission love and the power that show God working in field. Is the Christian family, the church, the business office, the mission board with which you are connected at home a spiritual power house?
r-rhe Latin American
By DR. MARY WILHELMINE WILLIAMS, II~'- Baltimore, Md.
Professor of History in Goucher College; Author of "The People and Politics of Latin America"
,~==============================~ THE region called Latin America, lying. be- bows of butterflies which play in the warm golden tween the Rio Grande and Cape Horn, covers sunshine. about nine million square miles, an area approximately three times that of the United States Most of the twenty Latin American countries of America. Its widely diversified climate includes lie under the direct rays of the sun. Only little Arctic cold on the lofty peaks of the Andes, Uruguay is wholly outside of the tropics; but scorching heat in the deserts of northeastern Chile and Argentina are largely in the south tem- Brazil, steaming humidity along tropical coasts, perate zone. From these three lands of April and on the high table-lands within the torrid zone autumns are sent many commodities similar to a reign of perpetual springtime, where flowers of those from the United States. Argentina and the temperate zones flourish side by side with Uruguay export cattle, hides, and meats-frozen, blossoms indigenous to sunnier regions. canned, and dried, and in the form of extracts. The Argentine has likewise a surplus of wheat In the warmer belts the poinsettia becomes a and flax. Chile sends out fruits of various kinds, tall, stately shrub, which may be seen on the up- and nitrates-in abundance. The highlands of lands of Guatemala in August, crowned with southern Brazil, and also Colombia and various flaming scarlet whorls almost as large as dinner Central American states sell coffee to the outside plates. The tropics offer hundreds of varieties world. Ecuador's most important crop is cacoa, of palms which produce everything from cabbage but, like many of the other tropical states, it proand cocoanuts to the raw materials for shirt but- duces vegetable ivory from the tagua nut. Peru tons and Panama hats. But the lover of arboreal is noted for copper; Bolivia for tin; Colombia beauty is mo~e attracted by the majestic ceiba, or for emeralds; Mexico for silver. From Mexico silk cotton tree, which, with its straight, silvery and Brazil come likewise a distracting variety of trunk bearing a vast umbrella of branches, towers semi-precious stones. The countries of the Cariblike a guardian giant above the other leafy in- bean export cocoanuts, bananas, and other tr@ihabitants of the jungle. In the more temperate cal fruits. The jungles of Brazil and of many of climes of southern Brazil and Paraguay one soon its neighbors supply dyestuffs and some of the comes to count also as a friend the lofty arau- finest cabinet woods as well. Formerly, all of caria pine tree. Its dark, peculiarly horizontal these countries brought back in their ships carbranches, which appear jet black against the goes of manufactured goods; but the World War bright southern skies, suggest gigantic candel- stimulated industrialization in many republics of abra. Unlike the gregarious pine, down in the Latin America, which are now far more nearly Argentine, is the ombit, an isolationist, whose self-sustaining than they were twenty-five years great curved mass looms on the horizon of the ago. This is especially true of Brazil, which manpampa like a lone sail on a vast ocean. ufactures sheer cotton cloth as well as fine furni- ture, and turns out products of metal ranging In the Latin American animal world one will from paper clips to motor cars. probably be less interested in the quadrupeds,- even in the herds of timid, silky-coated vicunas Before the Day of Columbus which in Peru flee over the hills at the approach of the train-than in the winged creatures. The Yet, in some ways these lands, now called flocks of free, shining green parrots in the Plata "Latin," are not quite up to the cultural standards basin remind one of the Emancipation Pro:::lama- found there many centuries before Christopher tion. The rose-colored and white flamingoes on Columbus sailed westward to seek Cathay. It Lake Titicaca are a fascinating surprise, for they was in the part of the New World to the southseem to belong in Africa. The tropical humm;ng east of the Rio Grande that the highest aboriginal birds, living, darting clusters of jewels, are an lln- development, material and intellectual, took place. failing delight, as are likewise the flickering rai!'!- As much as a thousand years ago the peoples of [455 ]
the coast of Peru were doing unsurpassed work population revolted in behalf of liberte, egalite, in textiles, weaving the silky hair of the alpaca fraternite, and drove out the whites, and on Januinto fabrics of exquisitely-colored designs. The ary 1, 1804, established the second independent Incas, who rose later into prominence, were the nation in modern America. ablest stonecutters that the world has seen. Furthermore, they developed a system of paternalistic Political Revolutions socialism wherein the strong labored for the weak and wherein no one suffered want. But it was Brazil was originally a possession of Portugal the Mayas of the present western Central Amer- and, like other European colonies, was adminisica and eastern Mexico who reached the highest tered in the interest of the producers and mercultural point. Not only were they able builders chants of the mother country, until 1808. In in stone, and artists in form and color, but they that year the Portuguese royal family and court, had also gained much astronomical lore,had de- fleeing from the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte, veloped a system of numeration based upon the arrived in Rio de Janeiro. After a few years the zero principle, and had evolved a calendar more vast colony was raised to the status of a joint accurate than that possessed by Europe at the kingdom with Portugal. But in 1821 King J oao time of the Spanish conquest of the Maya lands. VI returned to Lisbon, and the Brazilians, finding their liberties in peril, set uP an independent em- 50:111 A~1ERIC." pire under J oao's son, who became Dom Pedro I of Brazil. Monarchical government persisted in IJH..Ot:)'~ ………;.. the former Portuguese colony until 1889, when a military faction drove into exile the g·reat and 1OU._..a.- good Dom Pedro II and set up a federal republic.
-,.., '1:116 Political change came last of all to the part of America called the "Spanish Indies." The revolts _ »1"61,D"6J4:I which began in 1810 against Napoleon Bona- parte's domination of the mother country were _…. '" _64101211 soon converted into a struggle for complete inde- .1_"'~~ pendence. A liberal uprising in Mexico under a Roman Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Cos- The Spaniards were, indeed, the original white tilla, who had more than once been summoned by rulers of the area at present included in nineteen the Inquistion, was crushed and its leader was of the Latin American countries: Mexico, Guate- shot. The same fate befell his successor. But in mala, Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa 1821 a conservative revolt in Mexico against tem- Rica, Panama, Cuba, Santo Domingo, Haiti, Co- porary liberalism in Spain was victorious, and its lombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, ambitious leader, Iturbide, was crowned Emperor Argentina, Urguay, and Paraguay. Haiti, how- Augustin I. He was quickly overthrown, however, is now Franco-African in culture; for in ever, and since then nominal republicanism has the seventeenth century it came under control of prevailed in Mexico, except for the brief empire Louis XIV. In the period of the French Revolu- of Maximilian in the 1860's. tion the numerically predominant Negro slave Central America was freed from Spain partly through the aid of Augustin's soldiers, and started its sovereign career as the United Provinces of Central America; but these fell apart in the 1830's. The present Santo Domingo broke away from Spanish control at about the same time, only to be conquered and ruled oppressively by Haiti for more than twenty years.
Northern South America was freed under the leadership of the Venezuelan creole, Sim6n Boli- var, and the southern part of the continent by troops commanded by the Argentine, Jose San Martin. By 1825 all of the American colonies of Spain were lost to her, except Puerto Rico and. Cuba, which remained under her rule until 1898. All became unstable republics.
The Mixed Multitudes Though various of the colonies cooperated to win independence, soon afterwards they fell
THE LATIN AMERICAN LANDS
apart, and since then they have been united only more than two millions; and Cuba somewhat less by common speech, tradition, and religion. As than four millions. Haiti, with an area a little time has passed, climate, immigration, and other larger than Massachusetts, claims to have a popu- factors have tended to add to the original differ- lation of more than two millions; whereas Santo ences insured by variation in aboriginal popula- Domingo, with almost twice the area, has only tions. In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, the in- about half that number of people. Mexico, seven digenous inhabitants were scattered and back- times the size of Italy, has but seventeen million ward and the climate was attractive to Europeans. inhabitants. Bolivia and Peru could each contain Therefore, great streams of immigrants from two states the size of Texas, and yet Peru, the across the Atlantic have made these lands pre- most populous country of northwestern South dominantly white in population. Most of the America, has only about six million inhabitants.
other Spanish-American nations are, like Mexico Uruguay, the smallest South American country, and Guatemala, largely aboriginal, or have a is about as large as North Dakota and has a popu- strong indigenous strain. Along the coasts of lation of almost two millions. Chile, so slender many of the tropical countries there is a mixture as to be called a "populated splinter," is, never- of Negro blood. Santo Domingo is perhaps more the less, twice the area of California, and has Negro than Indian in composition; but there is about 4,500,000 inhabitants. Argentina, nearly a considerable infusion of white blood. Haiti is two-thirds as large as the United States of Amer- predominantly Negro; it is the "Black Republic." ica, has one-tenth as many people; and Brazil, Brazil is especially notable as an ethnic mixing which exceeds the United states of America in bowl, a melting pot. In the depths of the Amazon area, has about forty-five million inhabitants.
basin the inhabitants are still largely aborigines, Their small populations and unsound finances, and along the coast, especially in the north, Negro combined with political turbulence resulting from blood, from the former slave population, domi- inexperience in self-government, made the Latin nates; but dozens of lands besides Africa and American countries, first, the prey of the "mani- mother Portugal have contributed to the inhabi- fest destiny" emotion of the United States and, tants. The German influence in the state of Rio later, the victims of its imperialistic policy.
Grande do SuI is marked. A sprinkling of Scan- Mexico lost half of her territory to her northern dinavians has settled in the pine forests further neighbor. President Theodore Roosevelt "took"
north. The Latin countries of southern Europe the Isthmus of Panama from Colombia. Cuba's have supplied the majority of the immigrants, independence was impaired by the Platt Amend~ recently, with Italians in the lead. From western ment. Vera Cruz, Mexico, was bombarded and Asia have come Syrian pack pedlars, and from occupied by American armies, under orders from Japan more than a hundred thousand little brown President Wilson. In rapid succession, Nica- folk, most of whom are expert and thrifty farmers. ragua, Haiti, and Santo Domingo were occupied These twenty countries which straggle towards by American marines, who remained for from the southeast from the Rio Grande to Cape Horn eight to twenty years. The "Yankee peril" was have an area, as already remarked, equal to three a grim reality in Latin America.
times that of the United States of America. Their About ten years ago the tide of imperialism total population, estimated at about 115,000,000, began to turn, largely in response to American is sparse in proportion, since it falls short by public opinion. Cordial relations now exist with some millions of that of their Anglo-American Mexico; the Platt Amendment has been abro- neighbor. A glance at the statistics for indi- gated; and· no American marines now march in vidual lands may be helpful. Most of the countries will seem surprisingly large in extent. EI Latin lands. By specific pledges given at the Salvador, the tiniest, covers more than seven thousand square miles and would make three states Montevideo Conference in 1934, the present adthe size of Delaware, with a large territorial remnant to spare; but its population is only about ministration is committed to the "good neighbor" a million and a half. Costa Rica, though having more than three times the area of EI Salvador, policy. . has only a third as many inhabitants, or about five hundred thousand. Panama, with a somewhat How can North Americans help make this pol- icy permanent and comprehensive? By trying to understand Latin America, through studying its history and literature, manners and customs. Also, by refraining from trying to transform larger area than Costa Rica, has a slightly smaller their neighbors into Anglo-Americans; for the population. Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, two peoples are fundamentally different. Gracias and Cuba are each about the size of Pennsylvania; aDios! Let us rej oice in the otherness of others!
but Nicaragua has only 750,000 inhabitants; Let us be glad for the persistent, stimulating va- Honduras about 850,000; and Guatemala slightly riety which characterizes the human family!
LIFE IN THE STREETS OF PAYTA
@ BrolDll GfI4 Daws03 AN I N DIAN MARKET IN PEHU OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GOSPEL IN SOUTH AMERICA
Need For the
By REV. EDWARD M. HAYMAKER, D.D., _•..g{ Guatemala City Missionary Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
"THE Gospel for Latin-America? Why, they hot plate does not wriggle from racial tempera- have it," says the Roman priest; "these ment. When we reflect on the universal struggle are Catholic countries; we look after in all these countries between civic and religious them." authority; on the abnormal proportion of the "They have it," said a prominent American bus- population buried in the suffocating fog of ignor- iness man fifty-one years ago. "Every nation and ance and illiteracy; on the almost universal per- race already has by natural selection the religion dition of the true family ideal; on the high per- that fits it." centage of murder; on the paralyzing, degenera- "They have it," said Andrew Carnegie; "why tive and destructive forms their superstition takes disturb the nations with our religion?" . . . one is forced to exclaim, "They do need "They have it," say many who are nonsympa- something different, and they need it badly."
thetic with the whole idea of foreign missions. Diagnosis – What Is Wrong? "They have their religion, they are contented, let them alone." The doctor is right; diagnosis, then cure. Any But all these are the opinions of foreigners, of one familiar with Latin America knows they are alien interests, of nonresidents. They think from a religious people; that the all-absorbing element outside. What do the Latin Americans them- of their life, infinitely more important to them selves say? than business, politics, learning, society or any- President Rufino Barrios, one of the greatest thing else, has been their Church. The Church statesmen of Latin America, thought they needed has permeated all life insinuating its formative something else, and, though a good Catholic, influences on activities, language, educational brought down the first Protestant missionary and ideals, thought and instinct. If we seek the roots helped him establish a mission. of the major evils they suffer, we are sure to find Antonio Lazo Arriaga, a staunch Latin Amer- them in their religious life, not elsewhere. If we ican Catholic, and diplomatic representative in wish to discover what gospel they need, we must Washington for many years, when told of the study thoroughly, dispassionately, sympathetical- arrival of a Protestant missionary, spoke to him ly this religious life, with a cool careful tracing of and said, "I am glad you have come! My country their troubles to their causes in such a way that needs you, and especially my religion needs yours any liberal Catholic could and would accompany badly." us hand in hand.
Dr. Lorenzo Montufar, Latin American Cath- The writer does not belong to that number who olic, historian of international fame, statesman find no good at all in Catholics, their organization of the first order, said, "We need Protestantism or methods. Many of our best friends are Catho- here !" lics, some of them priests. That Church is a The enlightened liberal Catholics all over Latin marvel of organization and adaptation to its pur- America say, "We need something," and they poses. The self-sacrificing devotion of many of have felt the need so keenly that they have carried its missionaries and priests can well put to shame out the liberal revolution in every country south not a few Protestant missionaries, by their denial of the Rio Grande in order to clear the way and of self-comforts and training in hardship to "in- get what they need. carnate" with those they are trying to reach.
We flippantly interpret their revolutions as an "Besides innumerable trials, hardships, tortures expression of an innate racial spirit of insubordi- and sufferings, no less than 99 Catholic mission- nation, forgetting that their religious training aries lost their lives trying to establish their re- has made them the most obedient people in the ligion among the Indians of the United States"* world. It is not insubordination, but simply that We know of no more intense training in loyalty their conditions are insupportable. A worm on a • Cath. Encyclopedia. under Missions.
[459 ]
than that of the Catholic Church. Now these are olicity of those enfolded in the love of Christ; the good traits, and any gospel sent to Latin America padre who claims to be '"God on earth" for the should conserve them without loss. Spirit's comforting inspiration. The visible hab- it is cultivated, the invisible habit suppressed. It But along with its merits, this organization, is hard to realize, without years of observation, like all others, has certain fundamental defects to the extent to which this psychological vice can which many evils can unerringly be traced. Here queer and stupefy all the life of a people. are a few:- 4. A frightful popular immorality has resulted. 1. The union of Church and State, the Church A shrewd lie is an attainment, not a disgrace and rclaiming to control the State as the soul the body, sin; assassination is a natural and justifiable con- (Encyclical of Leo XIII), has always in the end sequence instead of a crime, hence when angry made trouble, and is primarily responsible for the you fight with daggers, machetes or revolvers to revolutionary conditions of all Latin America to- kill, not with fists to humiliate; dishonesty does day. It is neither fiction nor accident but clear not take the form of scientific burglary, but of retiology, that Latin American politics always has shameless graft and generalized sneak-thievery; the religious struggle at the center, the visible the Christian family is almost a "total loss"; phases of it ranging from the Inquisition to athe- commercial life is not honest enterprize, but trick- istic communism. ery that paralyzes true business like an anesthet- ic; appeals to chance have been cultivated clear 2. The spirit of hierarchy distorts and colors up to universality and until the idea reigns that all life and impresses its abnormal artificiality on life itself is but a huge gamble. We describe the society, government, education, morals-every- popular conception. thing. Above the masses the hierarchy rises from the wife of the village sexton when her husband The damning feature of all this is not the is away with the priest, all the way to the throne statistics, but the fact that the situation is ac- of God, and for inveterate Catholics, beyond that cepted as natural and normal by everyone, except to the throne of the Holy Virgin, and from the a few careful thinkers, and society and the Church bottom to the top it is a system of political "pull" have settled into a lethargic condition that auto- rather than either justice or a square deal. matically trains the masses into this state of mind. Were this but a matter of dogma it could be overlooked; but the trouble is, it permeates all 5. The commercialization of religion has oc- life with a spirit of favoritism, partiality, gam- curred in spite of Christ's command (Mat. 10: 8) . . bling, injustice and hopelessness. The common The priesthood is entered like farming or law, as comeback to any exhortation to morality is, "I'm a mere calling in which to make a living, or if no saint!" as who say, "How can you expect a shrewd, a fortune. Sin is actually capitalized in poor devil like me to act as if I were one of the the same sense that war and liquor are capital- canonized away up yonder?" This is a dangerous ized in our more civilized (sic!) land: the more popular attitude that stratifies society, kills moral war, the more profits in arms, munitions, steel and spiritual initiative and generates popular and ship building; the more drunkenness, the despair, just as the spirit of the Pharisees did in more profits for liquor manufacturers and deal- the time of Christ. ers; the more narcotization, the more tobacco profits; the more sin, the more money for the 3. The spirit of dramatism prevails. By this priest in commutation of penances, priestward we mean an exaggerated emphasis on appearance windfalls, poverty and transferable alms, and as the thing that counts and the eclipse of reality. above all masses to get grandma out of purgatory. This comes from making religion a show rather It is the identically same thing it was long before than a life. In education this takes the form of Judas Iscariot sold innocence, principle, charac- ostentation instead of learning; in politics, of ter, mercy and charity into crucifixion for 30 graft and dictatorships instead of public weal; pieces of silver. It is this quasi holy and unreal- in science, of technical loquacity instead of accom- ized capitalization of sin that causes the accumu- plishment; in commerce, what you can sell, not lation of ecclesiastical wealth in every Catholic what will give satisfaction; in society, display not land, with enormous mort-main holdings by the character. Church till the. proportion becomes so oppressive and impossible that explosion ensues; directed by' All this is mothered naturally and necessarily the Catholics themselves in a liberal revolution. by the spectacular religious teaching that concen- trates not on the unseen God, but on visible im- We must tell the truth to the doctor, and he ages; that elevates the visible Host in place of must receive and weigh it professionally. We the "remembered" sacrifice offered "once for all" ; Protestants study Catholicism sometimes with substitutes the visible, infallible Pope for the our bristles up. CathoUcs and even their clergy risen, invisible Companion and Guide; the intol- erant visible church for the all-embracing cath-
THE NEED FOR THE GOSPEL
are not half as bad people as we too easily assume. en the public conscience out of its lethargy and These mistakes have' been grown into uncon- lead it to strive for the invisible ideals; that will sciously through generations and often with the offer the fullest wealth of heaven to the most best of intentions, by admitting mistaken prin- , wretched sinner on earth, when, repentant, he ciples into the Church. They were all simple comes stumbling back to the Father; a gospel enough and innocent looking in their beginnings, that will begin where Christ himself placed the but now that we can trace their growth and real- foundation stone of His work, "Verily, verily, I ize their consequences, only the fanatical can com- say unto thee, except a man be born again, he mend them. If only we could penetrate the immo- cannot see the kingdom of God."
bility of Rome, and once get that great Church This is a large order. I know of but one to admit the correction of a few mistaken prin- Gospel that will fill the bill . . . it is the one ciples the reunion of Christendom on apostolic clearly revealed to every sincere reader in the lines could be guaranteed. pages of the Evangelists, and this is true whether The Gospel Oure we study doctrine, methods, plan or approach. I repeat, the Saviour of the world knew men and What gospel? Some recommend a sympto- their needs better than we.
matic treatment: "Give them culture, modern life, science, better living conditions, education; suppress the evangelistic element for the nonce OONFESSIONS FROM OHILE and concentrate on civics."
A few say, "Give them the gospel of industry; "I believe that one explanation of our lack of teach them to work." progress (in Evangelical missions) is to be found Some who have been reared in a super-emo- in low moral values. Some of our members have tional religion are trying to meet the demand by lost moral standing in the community, and others a kind of holy-rollerism. have left for the same reason. There are very Some recommend a "better Catholicism," for- few who work to bring others to a knowledge of getting that that church refuses to admit any Christ. . . . We produce good administrators, better or worse, they are one; and forgetting that but poor propagandists. . . . Another explana- even the best, as we see them, tenaciously retain tion is to be found in the fact that our ministers the same basic causes that have made the trouble are in many ways deficient. This is due to the for the worst. old system according to which it was believed Each of these gospels has some good results that a shoemaker or any other workman could be and all are better than what is, though in cor- taken, and, with but little preparation, turned into recting some evils, they are liable to plant others. a preacher. We now recognize the enormity of But those who have studied the conditions most that error…. The Church has lowered its stand- profoundly realize that no method of approach ing as to quality. . . . Those who attend the serv- or body of teaching that has yet been proposed is ices are simple people, of the lower classes, and any improvement on the simple plan of Christ, of but scant education. Those who are more in- who knew human needs and the human heart tellectual have left the Church because they found better than the most erudite investigator of today nothing in the sermons to satisfy their intellec- possibly can. Our concept of foreign mission tual craving…. It is not Christ who is preached, work used to be that of a kind of theological foot- but much emphasis is laid on sin. This is good ball game in which we entered as players with for new people, but the older members need some- practically certain confidence in our superior thing more substantial-real spiritual milk.
science and strength. But the years have with- "I believe that the Evangelical Church ought to ered that idea of our call to Catholic lands. What broaden its sphere of action, undertaking to do is needed is to carry into realization the unspeak- something for the cultured classes. There are able solicitude and gentle, loving persuasion and elements among those classes which respond to sacrifice of the Master as He went about capti- an intelligent presentation of the Gospel. The vating the multitudes with his irresistible per- present evangelical workers are not prepared to sonality and his self-denying example. undertake this advance. In order to secure men Latin Americans need a Gospel that separates for such work, we should select a few of the most Church and State; that is democratic instead of capable, give them a full course of study here, imperialistic; that will emphasize reality and and then send them to Buenos Aires or Montevideo forget appearances; that will bring the joy of for further preparation. By doing this we would redemption to replace the cankering doubts of a soon see a decided advance of our work among the false humility; that will cut up sin by the roots cultured classes." – From "The West Coast Re- and plant the germ of a holy life; that will awak- publics of South America."
Unevangelized Areas of Latin
-e£1 By JOHN RITCHIE, Lima, Peru I Agent of the Scottish Bible Society For the purposes of this article, an evangelized area- dice; it is widened by racial tradition, nationalgeographical or social-is one in which there is an ade- ism, and social considerations and culture. quate witness to the community in general, to the good news of Christ as Saviour and Lord. The evangelized In these circumstances, a map of Latin America, area, therefore, is not coterminous with the "occupied" spotted out to show the places occupied by Chrisarea. tian workers, would convey an unduly favorable impression of the extent of the evangelized area. T HE past thirty years have seen a great ex- On the other hand, there are sections in which tension of the missionary occupation of Latin Gospel literature has been circulated extensively, America, so that now the populous cities in systematically and over a prolonged period, carrymost of the republics are occupied. There remain ing a presentation of the Gospel suited to a large great rural areas, with numbers of not unimpor- proportion of the literate population. And there tant country towns, still awaiting the coming of are now considerable regions in which the radio the evangelist. But to spot out on a map the listeners are being reached through this medium places where there is some evangelical witness, with the Gospel. In these ways the witness has would not convey a true impression of the extent reached regions where there is no resident worker.
of the evangelized area. There are places which Again, the Bible Society colporteurs go far and have had a resident missionary for years which wide over the unevangelized territory, selling are yet not evangelized, because the only persons thousands of portions of Holy Scripture every reached with the Gospel message are the few who year. From time to time there come to light cases have had the curiosity or the courage to attend of inddviduals, families, and even of more numer- the Protestant preaching hall. ous groups, sometimes in the most out-of-the-way Many missionaries acquire the language slowly places, who are rejoicing in the knowledge of the and imperfectly. During this preparation they Gospel and seeking to follow our Lord, as a result become accustomed to a certain remoteness from of this work. Thus the impression conveyed by the people. Many are conscious of a gulf between the spotted map would be unduly unfavorable in their own cultural preparation and that of the some regions. educated persons in the community. Some are inhibited by sheer poverty from attempting to Surveying the Missionary Map cultivate any social relations. For such reasons In reviewdng the missionary map it should be many foreign missionaries never establish con- borne in mind that there are extensive regions tact with any cirCle of natives other than that which are all but uninhabited. The deserts along which includes the evangelical meeting place in its the Pacific coast are inhabited only in occasional orbit. On the other hand, it is also true, that valleys or in isolated nitrate and mining camps.
there are Christian workers, especially in institu- The cordilleras of the Andes are in some parts un- tional enterprises, who enter into useful contacts inhabitable, while in others much of the populawith the natives on the level of human interests, tion is found at elevations which make life diffibut who fail to develop these contacts for any cult for a lowlander. The average period of residefinite evangelistic purpose. dence in such places is difficult to equate with the time required to learn a very difficult Indian lan- Moreover, it is generally true in Latin America, though there are exceptions, that Christian work- guage. Beyond there lies the vast Amazon forest ers reach only one social class. Thus there are whose meagre native population is rapidly disunreached classes, even where regular work has appearing.
been long carried on, notably the Indians at one MEXICO is for the present a land closed to the end of the scale, and at the other the intellectual foreign missionary. Any statement about the conand the wealthy who are hardly touched. To ditions there may be made out-of-date in the reach these an effort must be directed specially to course of a few months by a turn of the political them and suited to their mental attitude. The gulf wheel. Meantime a Spanish Gospel radio mis- to be bridged is not only that of religious preju- sion located near the southern border of the [462 ] United States, would appear to be the obvious eral times in these recent years, and most of the method for continuing and extending the Gospel territory has been visited at some time, while the witness in that troubled land. colporteurs cover the whole country with the Scriptures. But in no part of the territory is the CENTRAL AMERICA is covered by the general missionary occupation adequate. statement, which comes from the best informed source, that "Central America is fairly well cov- The 700,000 to 800,000 Quechua Indians of ered, and yet large towns and cities exist with very Ecuador, especially in Azuay and Imbabura, are little work done in them." On comparing the list of a fine type. The efforts to reach them with the of chief towns with the latest list of missionaries Gospel, while sacrificial and purposeful, have to in the six republics of Guatemala, Honduras, Sal- date been hopelessly inadequate in staff, resources vador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, it ap- and methods. pears that there are ten cities of more than 10,000 inhabitants which have no resident missionary. On the other hand, Ecuador has an effective Among these are such important centers as Santo Gospel radio broadcasting station in Quito which Tomas (19,000), Mostenango (17,000), and An- is being listened to all over the republic, and also tigua (14,000) in Guatemala, and San Miguel a local station in Guayaquil under Christian aus- (25,000), and San Vicente (18,000) in El Sal- pices which broadcasts the. evangelical services. vador. PERU. By the promotion of autonomous groups, COLOMBIA has been for many years an extremely organized wherever there is an interest in the hard field owing to the dominant influence exer- Gospel, without waiting for pastors or missioncised on the civil government by the papal hier- aries to lead them, an extensive network of meetarchy and the religious orders. It appears to ings under the name of the Evangelical Church of offer the most important unevangelized areas in Peru, has spread over most of the central area, Latin America. There is no settled missionary in although the missionary occupation of the region Magdalena, with a population of 283,000; in is negligible apart from Lima and Callao. Most North Santander (330,500) there is no mission- of the important cities are occupied by Christian ary except in the City of Clicuta; Santander, with workers. a population of 604,000, is described by one who has an interest in seed-sowing, as having "the sur- In the Amazonian forest region of Peru there face barely scratched." There is a missionary in are extensive unreached areas, but these have a the City of Bucaramanga. Bolivar, with 650,800, very meagre population. The missionary in Iquihas very little done or going on; Boyaca has 950,- tos looks northward over the extensive area of the 000 people practically untouched; Antioquia, with Napo, westward up the Marafion, and southward over a million souls, has very little to evidence over the vast region of the Ucayali, all unreached. evangelism, although some work has been going Along a few of the rivers there are Christian outon for years. A recent article in an important posts where devoted workers who count not their missionary magazine described the province of lives dear are spreading the Message over a local- Chaco as South America's neediest field. The ity amidst the vast darkness, while missionary Goajira peninsula is at present being investigated launches travel the navigable waters carrying the by workers who have gone there to begin work messenger, and circulating the Scriptures and among the Goajiras and Motilones who form a other Christian literature. The workers settled considerable part of Colombia's Indian population. in communities are often hindered by the planters from evangelizing the Indian peones. Much has As Colombia has a population of some 8,000,000, been said and written about reaching the unit is only exceeded, among Latin American re- reached forest dwellers but the efforts to carry out publics, by Argentina and Brazil. As it has only the enterprise have encountered great difficulty 9 per cent of Indians, it offers a homogeneous lan- in locating a sufficient number in anyone place guage field. The recent changes in the adminis- to offer a field for a worker who has to contemtration, which gave the republic a liberal adminis- plate years of study to acquire their language. tration after half a century of Roman dominance, should make an effective and widespread Gospel BOLIVIA is the republic in which the distribution witness more possible now than at any former of the missionary forces is most satisfactory, due time in this generation. in part to the great elevation of the city which is the seat of government-La Paz. The areas which ECUADOR is a land legally closed to missionaries, are still unoccupied are, that east of Santa Cruzbut the evangelical witness is in no way hindered Charagua, and that west of the La Paz-Villazon by the civil authorities. The provinces of Carchi, railway. The population in both of these is sparse. Leon, Bolivar, Cafiar, Loja, Del Oro, Los Rios and The northern and the southern sections of the re- Esmeraldas are all without resident workers. public are very inadequately occupied. Loja has been visited by Christian workers sev- It has been wisely observed that the problem of the evangelization of Bolivia is not preeminently
one of further occupation, but of effective opera- evangelized area-the well educated and wealthy.
tions from the centers occupied, the widespread The prevailing view is well expressed in a letter use of the printed page, the introduction of the to hand from Colombia. "The big need in Colom- Gospel radio, and the multiplication of native bia, however, is not for missions to special classes, workers. but for men like Christ, able to go to any class, CHILE is a land fairly well occupied and evan- to be equally at home with Nicodemus or the Sa- gelized in so far as the working class is concerned. maritan woman. We need spade work by lots of Even the Indians and the soldiers are reached as ordinary missionaries to ordinary people." This in no other republic. Yet there are areas calling is a reasonable view. But Nicodemus should not for attention in the nitrate fields of the north and be left out in the night. The following excerpts in Southern Chiloe and Aysen in the south. from another letter written by a missionary of THE RIVER PLATE REPUBLICs-Argentina, Uru- long experience, throw light on the problems of guay and Paraguay are all occupied in their larger this important and almost untouched field. "When cities, but in each there are considerable rural you make specific reference to students and the areas, and many country towns which remain vir- well-to-do classes, you touch a responsive chord in tually untouched. In both of the seaboard coun- my heart. I was not many years in before tries, Bible carvans visit many of these rural dis- I clearly saw that our evangelical missions were tricts, so that the witness to the Gospel, while yet making no effort to testify among such. In 1912, leaving many unreached, is probably the best for on invitation, I began work in the English depart- rural areas in Latin America. ment of the university, and have found a great ",BRAZIL has a vast territory of which a great many opportunities to bear witness, to offer coun- pa'lt is covered by virgin forest, and much of this sel, to invite to Bible classes, etc. . . . The well-to- all but inaccessible, especially in the west and do have been completely abandoned by our mis- nor..th. There is established Christian work in sionary group in the large sense. With them there eve~ State, and the more populous towns are oc- is little social reciprocity, only occasional contact, cupied. But there remain many towns, and great and the missionary attitude is timid and apolo- areas between the lines of penetration, which still getic in the main. I have been trying to pioneer in await the Gospel messenger. The greatest need this sphere. Long residence, an office in the Ro- is in the northeast, including the States from tary Club, and a large circle of friendship, have Maranhao to Bahia, and the occupation of the given me entree into a number of homes where central region – Minas Geraes, Goyaz and Sao wealth and luxury prevail alongside the yearning Paulo – is described as "painfully inadequate." of unsatisfied hearts." .
Taking the republic as a whole, it is evident that "Why have we neglected these classes? Because some 1,200 Christian workers, native and foreign, we have failed to realize their spiritual destitution cannot possibly evangelize a population of over 41 and honest longing for Christ. We have too easily millions spread over so vast a country. transferred the accountability for their souls to VENEZUELA is also reached in so far as occupa- the R. C. church. . . . It requires faith to attempt tion of the principal towns is concerned, and evan- anything like the commendation of Christ to those gelistic work has been more successful than in who may be our superiors in culture, wealth, and the other republics of northern South America. knowledge of the human problem. There is no Yet there are several States still without workers, fellowship to which they can be invited, no pres- so that about one half ·of the population is not tige to be gained by holiness of thought and deed, systematically reached. The unoccupied States, and no organized work in which they can engage.
according to the data available, are: Falc6n, Za- The rank and file of Protestant missionaries do mora, Portuguesa, Cojedes, Anzoategui, Delta- not inspire the confidence and affection of this Amacuro, and the territory of Amazonas. Vene- class, and in no case can one enter into their inti- zuela, like Ecuador, is legally closed to the mis- mate problems without thorough mastery of their sionary, and the prohibition is more effective in language and easy familiarity with their social this case than in the other. procedure. In other words, such evangelizing THE ANTILLES. The larger islands of the Car- calls for special preparation, and we seem to be ibbean are well occupied. Christian work in these too busy with other duties or too shortsighted to islands has the advantage of better prepared na- spare time for-a paramount obligation. The result tional workers than are commonly available in is that we fail to maintain a working force which most of South America. exerts steady pressure on all the component sec- The Great Unevangelized Upper Classes tions of society. We fall far short of the dominant Church which sets men aside for special assign- Over the whole of Latin America there is one ments according to their gifts and training and class which constitutes the most important un- proved efficiency."
VISITING TRIBAL INDIAINS IN THE XINGU DISTRICT, MATTO GROSSO
The Indians South of the Rio Grande By REV. JOSEPH A. DAVIS, D.D.
Secretary of the Inland South America Missionary Union T HE Indian is the Hamlet among races. .AIOOf These ethnic groups are divided into linguistic and melancholy, he broods over his wrongs families of whom the most important recorded and is torn between resentment, with a number forty, embracing about 500 different lanstrong element of revenge and reprisal, and a guages and dialects due to separation of factions fatalistic acceptance of eventual racial suicide. from the parent body and becoming separate He has little reason to trust the white man. Co- tribes which developed dialects or languages by lumbus was received with friendly gestures at contact, intermarriage or incorporation into for- San Salvador yet within three years a slave ship, eign tribes.
filled with Indians, set sail for Spain. Some of these languages are vocalic and soft, The dominant ethnic groups of Latin America others wide in the range of sound, while a third as defined by ethnologists are the Nahuatla-Maya, group are harsh and gutteral.
for most of Mex:co and Central America; the Written language, with the Tribal or unassimi- Carib-Arawak, about the Caribbean Sea; the lated Indian, is still largely hieroglyphic-crude Chibcha-Quichua for the Cordilleras of South representations of fights, legends, and other ac- America; the Tupi-Guarani for the Amazon tivities pictured on robes, blankets, baskets and drainage; the Araucanian for the Pampas; the pottery. Communications between foreign tribes Patagonia for the peninsula; and the Fuegian in early times was, and still is with the Tribal or for the Magellan Strait. unassimilated Indian, largely through sign lan- In Matta Grosso, Brazil, are found varieties of guage. Clark Wissler says there were 113 lead- tribes that are included in the above classification ing linguistic stocks in Latin America. These and some which seem to have different character- stocks were broken up into hundreds of tribes istics from the general stock. and nations, each speaking its own language or The land in which each tribe or division lived, dialect. Some tribes are extinct, others are reits fertility, minerals or absence, the sort of ani- duced to a few thousand or a few hundred. The mals and birds, made some friendly, some hostile; Quichuas, Aymaras, Arawaks, Guaranis, Arau- led some to engage in virile occupation, others to canians and a few others are still very large. No follow more feminine pursuits. other race is broken up into so many families or [465 ]
has extended over so much territory as has the life some of these are agriculturalists, miners, Red Race. stock breeders, domestic servants, laborers, and are employed in small industries of their own. The most advanced civilizations in the Indian The chief vices of this class are alcohol, and in world in prediscovery days were those in Mexico, the Cordilleras to this is added the chewing of Central America and Peru. The descendants of cocoa. They are hard working, patient and longthese proud peoples have now been reduced to suffering, and in the majority of cases are faithhewers of wood and drawers of water. ful to the women of their choice. When they be- come Christians they live a consistent life. Few Who Are the Indians? of them, except the Christians, have escaped from witchcraft. Slave trading, mostly for women, is If we called all persons Indians that have a common among them. They believe that the natupercentage of Indian blood, we would take in a ral objects about them have spiritual essence, and majority of the entire population of Latin Amer- thus have an active part in their religious beliefs. ica. In the United States those who have one- Every calamity is credited to the work of an "evil eighth of Indian blood are called Indian. Dr. thing." Most of these Indians have some idea of Warren G. Moorehead defines as Indian anyone a God, but He is thought to be elemental, revengein whom the quantum of Indian blood is one- ful, vindictive. Even when the Indian becomes fourth or more. Dr. Thomas C. Moffatt considers nominally a Roman Catholic he is still swayed only those to be Indians in whom the quantum by his native witch doctor and his allegiance of Indian blood predominates. The twenty re- seems to be divided between the village priest publics composing South America have a popula- and the witch doctor. At the feast days of saints tion of approximately eighty million. Of this he dances his ancient pagan dances to the pipe of total the Stateman's Yearbook estimates that his pagan drums, fights and gets drunk. seventeen million are pure Indian, thirty million are mixed white and Indian, and 700,000 are The Tribal Indians mixed Negro and Indian. Other estimates of the number of Indians vary from fifteen to twenty The Tribal or Lowland Indians number nearly million for those of pure Indian blood; and from four million and are divided into over three huntwelve to seventeen million for those of mixed dred tribes. Many of these tribes are now being white and Indian blood. subjugated by the whites. Some of these are huntsmen and fishermen and nomadic in habit; It is impossible to get an exact census of the others live in settled communities. Some are hosnumber of pure blood Indians in Latin America. tile, others friendly. Dr. Moffatt's estimate is fifteen million, divided as follows: The tribes are organized into clans, the head- ship of which is sometimes hereditary, sometimes Mexico and Central America-7,000,000. elected. All cooperative activities are regulated The Highland Indians of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and from the tribal basis: marriage and speech and common industries are under its sway. Bolivia-Quichuas, 3,000,000; Aymaras, 500,000. Colombian Indians-500,000. With them war is little more than a raid. They The Lowland or Tribal Indians, uncivilized compared hunt for enemies much as they hunt animals and in war dances many tribes disguise themselves as to the Highland Indians and mostly in a savage and animals and the pantomime is a mimic hunt. They primitive condition-nearly 4,000,000, are divided have some knowledge of fortification. as follows: They are well versed in the knowledge of the Brazil-l,300,OOO. air. Heat and cold, rain and drought, the winds Peru-700,000. in their relation to the points of the compass are Ecuador-700,000. never out of their thoughts. They find the best Bolivia-400,000. springs, the best paint, the best clay, the best Venezuela-300,OOO. stone for sculpture and hard stone for tools. They Chili-100,000. are likewise familiar with the vegetable kingdom; Colombia-100,OOO. edible plants and those for diet and medicines are Paraguay-50,000. part of their knowledge. They use wood for tools, Argentina-30,000. utensils and weapons. They know poisonous' The Guianas-40,000. plants and can eliminate or use obnoxious prop- erties. They understand the nature and habits of The Mestizos and Assimilated Indians animals and their migrations and can interpret their voices. The mestizos, of mixed Spanish and Indian blood, compose a large proportion of the popula- Otis Tufton Mason points out that the religion tion. There are no social bars to the:r advance- of the Indian is what the tribes believe about ment and many become lawyers, physicians, priests, officials and capitalists.
Of the other Red Men of Latin America the assimilated Indians (civilized or semi-civilized) number some eleven million, and embrace the tribes of the Cordilleras, and the majority of the Indians of Mexico and Central America. In civil
THE INDIANS SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE
spirits or shades of the spirit world, and what In Bolivia the Methodist Episcopal Church, these beliefs involve. Their form of belief is North, is stationed amongst the Aymaras and the called animism-everything alive, sentiment, Bolivian Indian Mission ministers to the Aymaras thoughtful, wilful. Thus the majority of phe- and the Quichuas. nomena are lifted out of the physical world and placed in the spirit realm. Thus theology and AN INDIAN OF BOLIVIA science are one. Their worship combines religious drama, amusement, gambling and other social In Peru the Evangelical Union has an interestcustoms and fetishes. ing experiment among the Incas. The Inland South America Missionary Union works among The evangelization of Tribal Indians presents the Chamas and Campas. difficulties so great that a new technic and new methods are required, such as are not common in In Colombia the Inland South America Missionother fields. Converts obtained in one section or ary Union is beginning a work among the Goterritory disappear a few months later as the ajiras, Motilons and Aruacs. tribe moves on. The missionary has no permanent station, but must keep moving with the In- In Ecuador the Christian and Missionary Allidians. This explains also the very uncertain ance has missionaries among the Jivaros. numbers given to various tribes who move about and melt one into the other, in many cases even- In Chile the Protestant Episcopal Church works tually to return to their original territory, habits amongst the Araucanians. and numbers. Mr. Kenneth Grubb, addressing the Foreign Missions Conference of 1927, said: In Brazil the Evangelical Union of South Amer- "The Indian of the interior is in an entirely sav- ica works among the Carajas. age state. For instance, in June, 1925, I was offered human flesh by the Indians. Among the The Inland South America Missionary Union same tribe I was finally robbed of all my posses- has missionaries to the Terena, Bakairi and sions and turned out naked in the forests." As to Xinguano Indians and is opening a post in the the language, he continues, "Some years ago I pub- Xingu River district amongst ten other tribes. lished a map presenting linguistic classification of 350 different tribes speaking different dialects, not In Venezuela the Orinoco River Mission is evanall of them, of course, radically different. They gelizing among the Guauqueri. belong to about fifty well marked different linguistic stocks." In Paraguay the Church Missionary Society of London has had remarkable success with the In- The evangelization of these Indians has scarcely dians of the Chaco. been started. In fact, tribes and peoples disappear who have never been evangelized. Attempts to To date only faint efforts have been made to reach these Indians have reported many sad fail- send the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to Latin ures. This field has been outside of established American Indians. Over three-fourths of the asmissionary work. A missionary to the Indians similated, but pure blood Indians, have no Protmust sustain himself, and for the most part live estant mIsSIOnary. Over seven-eighths of the off the land, and yet cannot always remain in a Tribal Indians, buried in vast forests, in unexsettled spot; and he must be ready to encounter plored or semi-unexplored regions, are as unpestilence and fever and a great variety of insects reached by the white man as they were four hunand pests. There are rivers there in which one dred years ago, and still remain without God and can get lost because of their width of twenty miles without hope. It is one of the supreme missionor more. The transportation problem is to a large ary challenges of our day and generation, one of extent the problem of water transportation be- the world's remaining pioneer fields. It is ancause the rivers are the highways. other Dark Continent that awaits a Livingstone.
Missionary Societies at Work In Mexico work has been done amongst the Xapotecs and Tarahuamas by the Baptists, and amongst the Mayas (Mexican) by the Reformed Church in America. At present all work in Mexico is, at least temporarily, discontinued.
In the Central American Republics there is the Baptist mission amongst the Pipils; and the Central American Mission works with the Cakchiquels, Mams, Quiches and the Del Nortes.
A Living Church in Latin
By KENNETH G. GRUBB, London, England World Dominion Movement "THE Church—::;~hat a word was there; richer sorts and conditions of men. Almost all classes of than Golconda and the treasures of the mankind who have their exits and their entrances world! . . . Strong was he that had a on the stage of life are represented in the churches Church. He stood thereby, 'though in the centre of Latin America. Today, as always, the common of immensities in the conflux of eternities,' yet people receive Jesus gladly, and it is they-to the manlike towards God and man. The vague, shape- eternal credit of Christianity, who form by far the less Universe, had become a great city for him, a most numerous representation. But there are dwelling which he knew." So wrote Carlyle, and prominent lawyers, one or two prominent polino one who knows the churches of Latin America ticians, leading physicians, state employees, school will reverse his verdict. In them, and through principals and educators, merchants and bankers, their ministry the vague, shoreless outline of eter- tradesmen, offi·cers of the army and navy, writers nity has become for thousands of seeking souls a and poets among the membership. There are city which hath foundations whose builder and farmers and porters, chauffeurs and sailors, street maker is God. It will not then be altogether out peddlers and carpenters and a score of other oc- of place if we consider briefly some of the char- cupations. I knew a man in one of our churches acteristics of the churches of Latin America. who made his living by writing letters in the Without entering into unnecessary discussion it is market for the illiterate-a common profession in , sufficient for the purposes of such a bird's-eye many republics. Another man, up to the time he view, to consider as a church any group of be- was converted, used to go to prison to earn his lievers, baptized into the Body of Christ, regularly living although never himself the criminal. It is meeting together for worship, prayer and due and still permitted in some parts for a man who has proper celebration of the sacraments with the at- been found guilty of certain offences to pay for tendant discipline. someone else to remain in jail in his place!
Such churches are found in every place. In the Anglo-Saxon Protestantism does not go to Andes they exist three miles above the level of the church if it is wet; it turns on the radio at home.
sea, and the gringo, when he addresses them, must I have known Latin American Christians travel pause to take his breath. Down in the Amazon ten miles on foot in the rain (single journey) to lowlands there are churches to which on Sunday attend Sunday service, the woman, perhaps with mornings the members will nearly all come in a baby on her back. One man on Sunday morning their canoes. In Guatemala City there is a church heard that the bandits were on the trail between on the central plaza and adjoining the Presiden- him and the village church. He resolved, however, tial Palace. In Spain there is a church which to go and was held up; he promptly invited his meets regularly in a cave-the church "which is captor to the service. The bandit went hoping, of in thy cave." And for church buildings there are course, to hold up the whole church. He was so edifices in pseudo-Gothic or in the modern style impressed with what he heard that he left with- for auditoriums. There are churches built of five- out even touching the collection!
gallon gasoline tins hammered flat. There are Most of these churches are not large; the aver- churches walled with cactus and thatched with age membership of 300 churches in different re- banana leaves. Both in Mexico and Spain there publics of South America proved to be 55. In the are former Catholic churches now dedicated to country the sparsity of the population and the dif- Evangelical worship. And finally, there are scores ficulties of travel tend to make the churches small. of house-churches – churches meeting in some The Latin American is often, also, a strong indifaithful brother's home. I have partaken of the vidualist and ta hold together a large church re-, sacred elements with an ordained minister pres- quires more training in leadership than some of ent, floating down the river on a large raft. That our pastors possess. Some of the city churches, group, not strictly a church, was, at least, a going however, are very large. There are three churches concern, in spite of the fact that it was drifting. in Rio de Janeiro of about 1,000 members each, The membership of these churches includes all and there are other churches in the republic of [468 ] this size. There are two churches in Guatemala Adore Him." Both the prose and the poetry of City of about 500 members in each. There are the religious writers of the Golden Age of Spain some large churches in Mexico. I have been pres- breathe the incense of the sanctuary. Even Ruben ent at a communion service when over 700 per- Dario, the famous Nicaraguan, not generally consons took part, and the occasion was not a special sidered a religious poet, has some pieces which one. Large churches in Latin America offer very are marked by a fervent spiritual aspiration. An serious problems and provided there is an ample Argentine once said to me: "I cannot make up my spirit of cooperation it is often preferable to have mind whether your Protestant churches are really several medium-sized churches in a city than one intended for worship, conversation, exercise or large one. Both in Central and South America financial transactions." The latter reference was there are some large rural churches; sometimes a probably to the custom of taking change out of whole village or community has received the Gos- the collection when the plate is passed around. pel in a wave of spiritual awakening. The criticism was not just, inasmuch as it failed to appreciate the real connection which exists be- Only a few churches, comparatively, are self- tween the inward and the outward life; but it was supporting in the sense that they have both built suggestive. their templo and maintained their minister. Many others support their minister, either congrega- There are some fine spiritual leaders among the tionally or indirectly, through their central pastors and ministers of our Latin American church organization. Experience shows that it is churches. Mexico, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and not common for a church of under two hundred the River Plate region can all show men who have members to be able to undertake the whole sup- added competence to devotion and consecration to port of a full-time minister. Naturally this prob- natural gift. Many of these men receive salaries lem must be viewed in a totally different light in which a sausage-seller in Anglo-Saxon countries the towns and in the rural districts. Many rural would scorn. Having said this, however, it is churches are served by lay workers and evan- necessary to notice that the ministry presents one gelists, being occasionally visited by an ordained of the most serious evangelical problems of Latin minister: Moreover, rural communities will not America. In some cases there has been, for a infrequently build their own churches, the mem- variety of reasons, a lack of vocation among the bers supplying both the material and the labor. younger men. But it must be confessed that our In the cities it is often desirable that the church theological colleges or seminaries have not fulshould meet in a suitable and dignified building. filled their purpose. The seminary problem is al- There are not wanting cases, however, where ways with us in Latin America; it hangs around handsome city churches have been built mainly the corner of every conference and discussion like by the voluntary contributions of the congrega- a hungry dog at the street corners. For the most tion. A beautiful spirit of sacrifice is often shown part we have failed to combine a deep devotional in the building of the rural church. One very old spirit with a high standard of training. We have man once said to me: "I cannot do much, but I produced some narrow and carping mentalities; sit on the ground and hold the foot of the ladder and the shallowness of our own spiritual life, our while my son climbs up with the adobes." lack of personal sacrifice and the superficiality of our own thinking have been reflected in those Blessed are they who not only in their dreams whom we have taught. It is also true that most but in their deeds, humbly hold the ladder on of our pastors do far too much; it is difficult to which the angels of God ascend and descend be- blame them. As a result they. do not give adetween heaven and earth! quate time to meditation and prayer. The results of a recent inquiry into what evangelical ministers The Church in Action read during the course of a year were, in the' ma- jority of cases, disquieting. It is obvious that It is timely to speak in brief of the church in under such circumstances the Evangelical moveaction, and here, perhaps, a word of friendly ment tends to become a movement of activities. criticism may not be amiss. Many of our churches are not so much places of prayer as places of There is some. rich material in nearly all the preaching, or teaching. We tend to exchange the republics in lay workers and lay leaders. Intimate devotional spirit for the didactic 'lpirit. This is contact with the leading laymen of our churches very natural amid people who are destitute of nearly always increases one's respect for them. Scriptural instruction, but it is regrettable. As a Recently in Mexico I asked a layman why he gave matter of fact there is often a fine devotional so much time to the church. He replied very strain in the Latin American soul if it can be simply and earnestly: "I cannot but share my evoke.d. It was a Portuguese king who wrote the bread with the hungry." Latin hymn which has passed into the universal possession of Christendom: "0, Come, Let Us One man in Brazil brought over seventy differ-
ent adults to church or Sunday school for the first dispense if need be with its buildings of concrete, time, in a year. Another man, a chauffeur, and as it is founded upon a Rock. It is the depository owning his own car, gave himself and the car and minister of the unalterable truths of peace, wholly to the Lord's work on Saturday and Sunday every week, paying for his own gasoline. This meant a very serious loss for him commercially. Another layman, of humble origin, finding himself in charge of a congregation in the prolonged absence of the minister, organized a graded Sunday school, and selected and trained, in a simple fashion, the necessary teachers. It would be possible to multiply these examples.
Two Serious Difficulties South America It Vould not be fair to present this picture of Twice the .ize of the church in Latin America without mentioning Europe, two serious difficulties which constantly occur in local churches: moral difficulties and divisions. Thrice China, The former problem is well known to all who have Four time. India, had the most superficial contact with evangelical Sixty time. I he work in Latin America. The fact that it is a problem at all is a high testimony to the standards of British Isle• . righteousness set among our congregations. In no other circles of Latin American society is it TIr: obol.'c fnflp u J,oJI,I.'n to leul:. recognized as such. Often converts are not received into membership because of the difficulty — – of straightening out their marital and moral relationships. Not infrequently there are serious SOUTH AMERICA HAS A POPULATION OF 80 MILLION lapses among the members and sometimes even in the pastorate. The Indian in these matters PEOPLE WHILE THE POPULATION OF INDIA AND generally shows a better record than the Mestizo. BURMA AND CE'YLON IS 30'0,000,000 The second fault is also a serious one. It is not pardon and holiness, of the things which move altogether uncommon to find a church rent into with passionless authority and unchangeable mien local factions, generally grouping themselves through the profundities of our spiritual being, of around some brother who thinks that his impor- the divine message of salvation of all mankind. tance has not been sufficiently recognized. The personalism of the Latin American temperament THE MISSIONARY CALL is carried over into the church life and there are too many members who are Paulists or Apollo- By GEORGE ZABRISKIE COLLIER, Middlebnrgk, N. Y. nians. Sometimes this leads to actual division and secession of a group of members; sometimes (An antiphonal response to Tennyson's "Crassing the these divisions are due to a rising spirit of na- Bar.") tionalism. Undoubtedly also the denominational organization of our work makes it easy to conceive Sunrise and Morning Star! of multiplication of means of division. The How clear Life's call to me Amoeba multiplies thus; but it is a primitive form of growth. To send Christ's words of peace and love afar, Across earth's storm-tossed sea! The Church is the permanent form in which the results of evangelization are finally embodied. It Noon-tide,-again the bell,- is the agency by which the sovereignty of God op- "Work on,=–'tis not yet dark,- erates in this and every generation. It may be, as in Mexico, that government action will close With faith and courage; say not yet "Farewell," our schools, fetter our missionaries and limit all Nor disembark." forms of social penetration. It may even be that our church buildings may be closed. But the true To every land and each long-waiting race, church does not exist in these things. It is a spir- Life's flood will bear me far, itual edifice. It holds the promise: "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." It can afford to My Pilot with me always, face to face, Before I cross Death's bar.
Youth in Latin
By S. FRANKLIN MACK, New York 1Ja- il Young People's Secretary, Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, U. S. A.
I N SPENDING four months in South America, their twenties. Later at Medellin when I found Central America and Mexico this past year, myself swept along in a stream of humanity at a my primary objective was to take motion pic- political demonstration honoring ex-president tures to be used with the interdenominational Olaya Herrera, the speakers were young men and study of missions in Latin America. To achieve most of the crowd were young. Age is still in this objective I journeyed over 25,000 miles by control, but youth is right up behind the saddle, land, sea and air. I learned a great deal about ready to take the reins. the geography, the climate, the customs of the I found only one well-organized political alliance people and the work being done by missionaries. of youth, the Federacion Aprista Juvenil. It is My appreciation of the vastness of the southern the youth section of Victor Raul Haya de la continent increased immensely. Respect for the Torre's APRA party in Peru. It is, however, no people, their ancient culture and their modern blindly partisan alliance of self-seeking political achievements grew apace. A veritable multitude amateurs. Every member not only contributes a of impressions of all kinds passed in kaleidoscopic modest weekly fee to the support of the party, review, not all of them favorable, but none failing but gives of his time as well, either teaching in to awaken interest and to suggest comparisons. night schools for the illiterate and uneducated, or Here was a new world, yet very old: the new and attending classes for self-improvement. In a land the old existing often side by side. Would the and on a continent where the double standard of new prove better than the old? Was all of this morality is the rule, and is acquiesced in by parmodernization, this wholesale importation of auto- ents, this youth organization pledges its members mobiles, motion pictures, radios and all the new to live clean lives, and to neither smoke, drink nor appetites that go with them-was it a good thing? indulge in social dancing. They pride themselves What does the future hold in store for these widely on setting such a high standard of physical fitdiffering republics, each with its peculiar history, ness, honesty, industry and morality, that they problems, aspirations? will be recognized as Apristas by their conduct. These were insistent questions for which it was "Prepare for action and not for enjoyment" is their slogan. The action envisaged is not military difficult to find satisfying answers. The modern- action. It is rather the living of an effective life ization, even in the large cities, is almost too new, and the dead hand of the past still too much in in the service of humanity and of the State. I control for the newer attitudes, forms and insti- found these young people taking an active part tutions to have become clearly defined as yet. So in the running of a cooperative comedor or eating I found myself searching for symptoms, and this place in Lima, where poor people could get a good inevitably led to the focussing of attention upon meal for the equivalent of six cents in our money. youth. Because of the rate of speed at which I They were busy in a night school teaching, readwas forced to travel, this was not an easy thing ing, studying the needs of Peru, preparing murals to do with any thoroughness, but I consoled my- to illustrate the ethical and moral ideals of the self with the thought that I was not so close to organization. They embarrassed me by asking the situation as to be unable to see the forest on whether young people in North America take an account of the trees: at least I had perspective! active interest in the affairs of government and in raising the status of the underprivileged. This Almost the first impression that I had of Colom- party, while it finds itself ranged against the esbia was that it is being run by young men. Many tablished Catholic Church, which has joined the of the customs men at Puerto Colombia were quite party of privilege in the defense of the status quo, young, and almost none of the sizeable group who is not antireligious. Haya de la Torre is himself assisted in the elaborate ceremony of tracing my Christian and Protestant, and while there is no lineage back through both sets of grandparents dictation as to what a man shall believe, there is and recording my ten fingerprints three times at definite recognition of the importance of religion the Baranquilla police headquarters were out of [471 ]
in personal and community life, and the strongest state of Yucatan during April of this year. Sim- kind of emphasis upon Christian ethics is to be ilar Christian conferences for study, worship and found in the code of the Federacion Aprista rededication are to be held near Mexico City this JuveniI. fall.
As might be expected, liberal and revolutionary The missions are also making provision for the ideas find their most fertile soil to be the minds of training of young people, not only for the minis- youth, especially the students in the schools and try, but also for Christian lay leadership. There universities. The government university at Lima, is a girls' hostel at Oaxaca from which many Peru, has been closed for some time because of Christian girls have gone out to be leaders in the the strong liberal complexion of the student body, educational, social and religious life of the sur- most of them sympathizers with the APRA party. rounding Indian communities. In other parts of I arrived in Merida, Mexico, just in time to wit- Mexico young men, trained by the missions, have ness the strike of high school students in the gov- given themselves to the establishment of rural ernment schools. Reflecting the spirit abroad in schools under the government's program for edu- the land they were demanding a larger degree of cational expansion into rural areas. A mission self-control, more holidays and shorter hours, girls' school at Quezaltenango, Guatemala, has a with school only in the mornings. A few days normal training department which is turning out previously they had stormed the local education Christian teachers to help man the government's headquarters, wrecked the office and burned all of schools. A nurses' training school in connection the records. They had forced the students at the with the mission hospital at Guatemala City is Turner-Hodge mission high school to join them, producing fine Christian nurses who are finding but the prospect of being photographed in motion employment all over Guatemala, everywhere earn- pictures, added to their lack of sympathy with the ing a reputation for character and efficiency.
strike, was sufficient to bring nearly 100% of the At Medellin, Colombia, there is a training mission school students back to their classes. school for Christian leaders where provision is There were a few tense moments when, with doors made for self-help, and where a premium is placed locked, we waited for the angry crowd outside to on industry as well as piety. Unique among the tire of their attempts to set fire to the window training institutions is the Methodist Episcopal awnings and to batter in the door. Elsewhere, in "EI Vergel" farm school near Angol in Chile.
varying degrees, there were signs of unrest and Here a fine upstanding group of young men is be- of dissatisfaction with ideas, attitudes and insti- ing prepared for leadership in the fields of agri- tutions of long standing. culture, horticulture and animal husbandry. The This questioning carries over into the field of school equips these students not only for the agri- religion. A type of Christianity which portrays cultural reclamation of Chile, but also for Chris- Christ as a dead figure in the distant past, and tian lay leadership. '
which places large emphasis upon ritual, the pay- There are Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. organiza- ment of dues, and unquestioning obedience to tions at work in the larger cities of nearly all of ecclesiastical authority, does not meet the needs of the Latin American Republics, and they are doing youth. Students seek spiritual satisfaction in the a great deal, as in this country, to supplement the study of philosophy or of oriental faiths. Many work of the Church in reaching and holding young have given up all religion. Nor does the stereo- men and women. It was my privilege while in typed, adult-centered program of the Protestant Lima to attend a Sunday mornirig breakfast con- church, too often limited to Sunday school, preach- ference at the home of the General Secretary of ing service and mid-week prayer meeting, meet the Y. M. C. A. to which some forty representative their needs any more than it meets the needs of younger men of the city come each week by invita- young people here in North America. New ways tion, to discuss the relation of Christianity to life.
must be found to minister to the spiritual needs of This morning the leader talked on the subject, youth if they are to be reached and held by the Una Maravillosa Manera de vivir-the abundant Gospel of Jesus Christ. life. Various members of the group asked The best technique discovered so far is that of thoughtful questions and others told quite simply the young people's summer conference. It has how their lives were being lived on a higher plane proved its value here, and it is now being adapted because of the_new outlook that Jesus Christ had with effectiveness to the needs of Latin America. brought to them. It was a notable illustration of For a number of years such conferences have been the determined effort that is being made to dis- held in Chile, and now a start has been made in cover effective methods of approach.
Brazil also. Mexico is becoming interested, a sig- Students at the seminary in Sao Paulo, Brazil, nificant week's camping conference with twenty- have been organizing teams to spend the summer two young men enrolled having been held in the months (December and January for them) in
EMERGING YOUTH IN LATIN AMERICA
preaching, teaching and helping with programs earned in the eighty and more years of their existfor young people out among the churches of the ence there, the receptiveness of the people to the Presbytery. This has added materially to the Christian message, the steadfastness of the Chriseffectiveness of their training and has been a great tian nationals in the face of opposition, and the boon to the churches. This mission, in particular, beginnings that have been made toward reaching is to be commended for the quality of its leader- and holding young people-these are tremendous ship among the nationals. One student whom I assets. Now, while things are still so largely in met, a Negro boy by the name of Valerio from far north in Bahia, has been amazingly effective A COLOMBIAN STUDENT STUD'YING FOR THE MINISTRY in the conduct of evangelistic services, proving acceptable not only in the smaller villages, but the formative stage, is the time to make a great with the cultured congregation of the city church advance in our missions' work in Latin America. at Sao Paulo as well. It was in this Sao Paulo church that I found a Sunday school enrolling 900, The future is full of promise if we can succeed six hundred being accounted for in little branch Sunday schools conducted on Sunday afternoon all in making Jesus Christ a vital reality to the youths over the city by teachers and young people from the parent church. of these republics, as they come into larger re- Perhaps it is because of the restrictions which sponsibility and leadership. This problem of how have been imposed in Mexico that I was most impressed with the work being carried on in and to enlist the energies and enthusiasms of youth in around Merida in the State of Yucatan. There one evening I had spread out before me a map of the build~ng of Christ's Kingdom is one which the the surrounding territory. Some fifty-two villages were indicated as places where there are churches of North and South America have in organized churches. They represent the missionary outreach of the work centering in Merida. common. As we find solutions to it here, we shall The man who supervises them all showed me pictures that he had taken of the different congre- be helping them to solve it there. . ga'eions. A large proportion in each instance were young people. There being but few ordained ministers available, the churches are manned largely by elders. Each church has from three to six little branches in near-by Indian villages, where the work is carried on by elders and the young people. The Merida pastor who took me to visit some of these congregations is only twenty-one years of age. Another young man not much older is at work there representing the American Bible Society. With the resourcefulness of youth they were responding to restrictions laid upon the churches by encouraging Bible study and family wor~hip in the homes.
There are many factors controlling the destiny of nations. We have spent far more money on the exploitation of Latin America's raw materials than upon making Jesus Christ known. The missionaries whom we have sent, and the leaders whom they have trained among the nationals are all too few for the greatness of the opportunity. But the goodwill which Protestant missions have c. .1 .. ——–~-~~.~.——–
QUOTABLE ITEMS ABOUT SOUTH AMERIOA South America, the Dark Horse among the continents. Twice the continental area of the United States. Possible growth during the next century staggers prophecy.
Colombia, the Republic of Two Seas – borders on the Caribbean Sea on the north and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It is an awakening republic with enormous resources which have scarcely begun to be developed.
Ecuador, the Republic of the Equator. Furnishes ivory nuts for buttons for a third of the human race. Most of the population is Indian.
Peru, Land of the Sun. Central Railway leads up the Andes to a height of almost sixteen thousand feet, the highest point of any railroad in the world. Lima, called the Paris of the South, has a great university which was aged before the Pilgrim Fathers reached New England. .
Peru could comfortably swallow California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho.
Bolivia, the Roof of the Continent. Highest inhabited country in Western Hemisphere. Ten degrees from the equator but colder than Maine.
Chile, the Shoestring Republic. Extends north and south as far as from New York to San Francisco; is as narrow as Lake Erie. Chileans are the Yankees of South America. A chain of wireless stations stretches from the tropical north to the Antarctic south.
Argentina, the Melting Pot of the South. More than half of the people are foreign born- Italians, Spaniards, French, and other nationalities. Buenos Aires is one of the most cos- mopolitan cities in the world.
Brazil, the Giant Republic. Larger than all of the United States (excluding Alaska). More unexplored land than in all the rest of the world. The Amazon can carry the greatest ocean steamers as far as from New York to Omaha, Nebraska.
Venezuela, the Neglected Republic. Lowlands, tropical climate and other characteristics make this land one of the most difficult on the continent.
Uruguay, the Modernist Republic. The smallest but perhaps the most modern of South Amer- .
ican republics-aggressive education, industries, politics and rationalism.
Paraguay, the Backward Republic. Has the fewest Protestants and shows least progress of any South American country.
The Guianas, the Foreign Colonies of South America. Controlled by England, Holland and France. * * >:; There are more ordained Protestant clergymen in the state of Iowa than in all South America, Mexico and Central America. In most of the ten republics of South America, a Protestant missionary could have a city and many towns for his exclusive parish.
Millions of Indians and other native peoples in Latin America have not been reached by the Christian message and are as pagan as any in the heart of Africa.
Of the 2,042,889 people in Buenos Aires there are probably only a few hundred men on any given Sunday at religious services.
There are over six million Africans among the thirty-nine millions of people in Brazil, and many of them are the crudest type of Negro on the American hemisphere.
The Amazon River system has over 50,000 miles of navigable waterway, equal to twice around the earth. It can be navigated for 2,500 miles by ocean steamers.
South America has the largest unexplored area of any continent. In Peru and Ecuador, only one person in 17 is white; nearly three quarters are Indian, the rest are Chinese and mixed. Not one third of South America's population is of pure white blood.
Thirty-eight out of every 100 persons you meet in Mexico are Indians, and 43 are of mixed bloods.
Practically the only Protestant mission work being done among the 50,000 Araucanians, de- scendants of the aboriginal Indian races, is that of the South American Missionary Society.
The Panama Canal cuts off 6,250 miles of the sea route from New York to Callao; 3,747 miles from the route to Valparaiso. It brings Liverpool 4,043 miles nearer to the port city of Peru.
Education-Old and
By REV. HUGH C. STUNTZ I~ The American Institute, La Paz, Bolivia I ~.- ~==========================~I A TAHUALPA, last emperor of the sun-wor- ducted in Latin, add further incomprehensible 1'"'. shippers in South America turned from his suggestions to uneducated minds so that the ancestral faith and accepted Christianity "Christian" Indians have practically no religious to avoid death at the stake. He was strangled in- education.
stead by a Dominican friar, Vicente Valverde, These natives of Latin America were denied and the hawk-eyed, cruel Pizarro. As in Mex- privileges of education afforded to sons of Spanish ico, so in South America, the Cross was planted amidst the ruins of a pagan empire by the power of Spanish greed.
Devastating victories these that brought a reli- gion of love on the point of the sword! They were followed by centuries of ruthless and heartless ex- ploitation, always in the name of Christ, always with pious subterfuge and holy absolution.
So complete was the victory of "Christianity"
that little was left of indigenous religion. Death became the penalty for all heretics, whether simple, superstitious Indians or cultured intellec- tuals. No wonder that the ancient cults of Mama- pacha, of Raymi and Coya Raymi-the worship of Earth, Sun and Moon-vanished. Thirty million followers of these religious ideas were reduced to less than eight million in the first century of "Christian" domination!
Traditions are not killed so easily as people, and in spite of persecution, death penalties and un- utterable cruelties, many religious. customs have been perpetuated either in secret, by rural In- dians, or have been silently absorbed into local Roman Catholic practices. Obedience to the au- thority of the Church has frequently been secured by just such unworthy means.
Today the Indians of the Altitudes, from Ecua- dor to Chile and Argentina, enjoy a mixture of religious ideas under the symbol of the Cross.
They have combined animism, superstition, fear and obedience into a weird jumble of beliefs that A MAY'AN-INDIAN TEACHER AT A MISSION SCHOOL center in the authority of the black-robed priest. IN MEXICO Religious education for these folk, under the dom- inant Church, has never mounted beyond an in- and colonial families. In the history of coloniza- sistence upon absolute obedience to ecclesiastical tion under Roman Catholicism, general education authority. God for them is still Viracocha, or has always been considered dangerous. Even Pachacamac; Christ is a strange unknown figure education for the selected few was strictly under of suffering and death, not unlike their ancestral, the watchful care of mother Church, and religious weeping God of Tiahuanaco. For these Indians, education was obligatory. Catechetical instruc- allegiance to the Church of Rome is but another tion in the dogma of the Church was the content superstition, another mystery. The services, con- of this education, made attractive and awe-inspir- [475 ]
ing by the experiences of first communion, mass has brought to replace the religious education of and confession. former years.
The wave of revolution that rocked the world at Sunday schools, similar in organization, purpose the close of the Eighteenth Century brought to and program to the Sunday schools of North Latin America freedom of thought along with America, have been the recognized Protestant other blessings and burdens. It was a golden method of religious education wherever missionmoment for religious awakening; old authorities aries have left their imprint. Most Sunday were discredited, new ideas and more noble ideals schools in Latin America have been supplied with were taking root in the minds of an unshackled study materials not prepared to meet their needs, people. But no religious movement proved strong without illustrations from Latin American life, enough or alert enough to gain ascendancy, and and frequently not answering the simplest relittle by little the religious allegiance of Latin quirements for curriculum. American peoples slipped back into the worn, easy grooves of authoritative, State religion. Educa- Many 'handicaps and difficulties have frustrated, tion continued in the hands of the clergy, and re- to some extent, the attempts of religious educaligious education remained a matter of instruction tion through youth movements. Lack of trained in dogmatics with almost no relation to the needs leadership, support and guidance have been the chief obstacles to overcome. Wherever national of everyday life. organizations have been formed, incorporating the The coming of Protestantism had little influence Protestant youth of various denominational groups, these difficulties have been met and largely on this religious and educational scheme. Itwas overcome. The enthusiasm of a united, group not until the currents of thought from Europe and working in a common program has overcome the North America began flowing into Latin America lack of support, and has usually developed leaderthat one finds a noticeable change in the attitudes ship. The national organizations in Mexico, Uruof Latin American States. The cultural revolu- guay and Argentina have achieved notable results tion followed slowly and long after the physical in promoting the cause of Christ. They have fir.evolution that cut the ties with Spain. nanced their own program, published their own literature, launched their own social reform move- Gradually the logic of religious liberty, the ments and have proven their vital Christian spirit. riecessjty of public education, the development of Latin American literature and culture opened the Religious education from the pulpit has suffered way .for changes, more radical and fundamental from a lack of well-trained, educationally-minded to 'the social life of Latin America than mere preachers. In most new missionary work it is change ofgovel'nment. For several generations necessary to employ preachers whose zeal often the Roman Catholic religion continued as the State outruns their knowledge. Missionaries frequently religion, but within the' past generation we have supplied this lack to some extent. seen the severing of this relationship in country ~ter country, and wherever the Church and State Drawbacks to effective religious education remain united, as in the Argentine, Bolivia, Peru fortunately do not completely fill the picture. and other republics, absolute religious liberty has From the Rio Grande to Tierra del Fuego the tale been accorded, and public education is under the of real spiritual progress is being told today in direction of the secular power. In some of these improved and largely extended Sunday school countries religious education by the Catholic efforts, in vigorous youth movements, in leaderclergy is still permitted as part of the public school ship training developments for preachers and lay curriculum. Such teaching is formal instruction leaders, in an increasing effectiveness of Protesin dogmatics, and both parents and pupils are out tant publications, and in the growing recognition of sympathy with this type of religious education. on the part of Protestant groups that religious The majority of Latin American countries have education is fundamentally as necessary to the absolutely divorced religion from education, and continued life and vigor of the Church as any the representatives of the Church on one side, and other phase of church activity. of public education on the other, are often hostile camps instead of allies in the building of stronger One of the most promising developments has been the cooperative effort on the part of a group citizens. of denominations to develop an indigenous cur- In later years Protestantism has been some- riculum of religious education for all Latin Amer- ica. In the course of seven years, cooperating what responsible for this separation. Preaching groups have been formed in Mexico, the Caribindividual liberty and responsibility to God to a bean region and South America to prepare these people steeped in authoritarianism, has its dan- materials for use in church, church schools, Sungers. Breaking down established traditions of re- day schools, youth organizations, and for pioneer ligious authority has had good and bad effects; work among unreached peoples. and we might well ask what Protestant teaching
Growth of Religious
..- By REV. CHARLES S. DETWEILER, D.D., New York Secretary for Missions in Latin America, American Baptist Home Mission Society T HE Roman Catholic religion is recognized sionary to Chile, has honorable mention as a as the State Church in Colombia, Venezuela, leader in securing civil marriage and civil ceme- Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentine, Haiti, teries in that republic. Before his death he ob- Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. A peculiar tained an interpretation of the constitution that situation obtains in Guatemala, where there is a amounted to a guarantee of religious liberty. Dr.
concordat between the Republic and the Vatican, Thomas B. Wood, a Methodist missionary, was a under which the Church receives a small annual leader, at first in Paraguay and later in Peru, payment from a government which is strongly to obtain for Prote~tants the sanction of the civil anti-clerical. In this case the union of church and law for the foundation of their families. The state is more theoretical than practical. The fol- marriage oftwo Protestant foreigners in Lima in lowing governments have decreed separation of 1897 almost became an international incident.
church and state in the years as given: Mexico, Peruvian authorities declared the marriage in- 1857; Honduras, 1880; EI Salvador, 1886; Bra- valid because it had been celebrated in accordance zil, 1891; Nicaragua, 1894; Cuba, 1901; Pan- with Protestant rites. Newspapers in the United ama, 1904; Ecuador, 1906; and most recent of States published editorials with regard to the all, Chile, 1925. crying need of liberalizing the laws of South All of these countries inherited traditions of American states, and the President of the United intolerance from the time when they were colo- States was asked to use his influence with the nies of Spain. It was the policy of the mother governments of certain South American states in country to prevent at all costs the entrance of behalf of our citizens. Finally, after much oppoheretical ideas, and to this end commercial inter- sition of the clerical party, a civil marriage~law course with her colonies was limited to Spanish- was passed by the Congress of Peru.
built and Spanish-owned vessels. The immigra- Liberty to preach and to establish Protestant tion of foreigners was prohibited, and a Spaniard churches was far more difficult to win, and cost might embark for the Americas only after pre- the blood of martyrs. Noteworthy among these senting evidence that he was an orthodox Catholic. was the humble colporteur from Argentine, Jose This protection against heresy was further rein- Mongeardino, who in 1877 took the Bible into forced by the establishment of the Inquisition; Bolivia, and was assassinated for his pains. In at the opening of the nineteenth century there 1890 the Rev. Francisco Penzotti, an agent of the were tribunals of the Holy Office in Lima (Peru), American Bible Society, suffered imprisonment Cartagena (Colombia), and in the City of Mexico. for eight months in Lima for his missionary activ- These functioned until 1813. No book could be ities. A few years previous to that event he and printed in the Americas except by consent of the the Rev. A. M. Milne were denied admission to government. The ships of all Protestant nations Ecuador and were told by the customs official that must have been classed as pirates, for in the six- as long as Chimborazo stood, the Bible would be teenth century a law was enacted, providing for kept out of that republic. Ten years later a revo- the seizure of heretical books that might have lution occurred which brought the Liberals into been introduced by "pirates." power, and the door has been kept open for the After independence the struggle for religious Bible ever since.
liberty began in an effort to secure for foreigners Ecuador's history is an example ·of what has the right of maintaining their own worship and been a frequent occurrence in other republics; for the interment of their dead in public ceme- she has had presidents whose ideas of liberty and teries. This soon led to the extension of this right tolerance have been far in advance of the people.
to natives who might have professed some other In 1835 President Rocafuerte brought a Quaker than the Roman Catholic faith. The name of the to Quito and put him in charge of a school, but RP-v. David Trumbull, the first evangelical mis- was unable to maintain him there against the [477 ]
popular outcry. In the early years of this cen- all other churches. It seems to be natural for tury President Alfaro commissioned the Rev. the Latin American mind to pursue policies to Thomas B. Wood, of Lima, Peru, to equip three illogical limits and to provoke issues that admit normal schools with American teachers, agreeing of no compromise. In its effort to destroy the in the 'contract that they should be protected in political power of the Roman· Catholic Church, the right of teaching the Protestant religion out- the Government of Mexico has proposed to "de- side of school hours. Missionary teachers were fanaticize" the people, and has gone to the ex- brought from Chile for these schools, and contin- treme limit of imposing a "socialistic education"
ued for some years, but they were not able to do upon all the youth in public or private schools.
what they had expected to do outside of school The leaders of the State have boldly proposed to hours. In Venezuela Prof. Mecham tells of an take possession of the consciences of children and anti-clerical president, Guzman Blanco, who "in uproot religious ideas. Apparently unaware of, the hope of seeing Protestantism take root and or unwilling to recognize, any contradiction be- prosper in Venezuela, offered one of the confis- tween these decrees and its profession of religious cated churches to the Protestants, but as there liberty, it has even forbidden the use of the mails was no organization to accept the offer it was to religious publications. Freedom of worship and of propaganda is limited to the interior of church buildings, and no more church edifices may be built. Meetings in homes or in rented build- ings are illegal. Barriers have thus been erected against the further spread of the Gospel in Mex- ico except through private personal work.
The one item of Mexico's anti-clerical program most likely to be adopted by other republics is that which limits a religious ministry to native- born citizens. In Ecuador and in EI Salvador the immigration individually or collectively of foreign religious clergy is prohibited. This is now inter- preted as applying only to Roman Catholic priests and nuns. In Guatemala the entrance of foreign clergy of any religious cult is prohibited. This has made it impossible to send in new Protestant CHILIAN MISSION SCHOOL GIRLS missionaries, although replacements have been allowed and no obstacle is placed in the way of withdrawn." This was in 1874. The next in- those returning from furloughs. In Venezuela a stance of this kind occurred in Guatemala in law "prohibiting the entrance into the republic 1882. President Barrios asked the Presbyterian of foreigners dedicated to the service of any cult Board of Foreign Missions to open a mission in or religion" has been enforced in recent years that republic. "To show his interest the presi- against Protestant missionaries. These prohibi- dent paid the traveling expenses of the first mis- tions in at least one country arose from a desire sionaries, Rev. and Mrs. John C. Hill, provided to prevent the influx of priests who were refugees them with a place to live, and sent his own chil- of the revolution in Spain. They are also a mani- dren to the mission school which was established." festation of growing nationalism, in which the This mission has continued and prospered down immigration laws of the United States have to the present time. Many instances could be served as an example.
cited of governments that were determined to The attitude of the Mexican Government to- guarantee religious liberty and to protect the ward all religions should not cause us to forget right of Protestant preachers, and who promptly that in the greater part of Latin America there moved to prevent the unlawful interruption of is the fullest freedom for missionary activity. It their meetings. But effective religious liberty is an amazing reversal of history for the Roman has had to be won from the people by an exhibi- Catholic Church in Latin America to assume the tion of the spirit of meekness in suffering perse- role of the protagonist of religious liberty. There cution. In Mexico alone, more than sixty Prot- is no indication that she stands for liberty for all estant believers have laid down their lives as religions. The fact that her own children are victims of Catholic mobs. turning against her affords no comfort or encour- Now in recent years we are witnessing a grow- agement to Evangelical missions, but it rather ing movement of opposition of governments to urges us to press with more vigor the work of the Roman Catholic Church, which is involving evangelization while there is yet an open door.
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OF WARD COLLEGE, BUENOS AYRES, CONDUCTED BY
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST AND THE ME'THODISTS Cooperation and Unity in Latin America By REV. WEBSTER E. BROWNING, PH.D., D.UTT., Buenos Ayres FORTY years ago, when the writer was about were altogether innocent of architectural embel- to begin his life work in Latin America, the lishments. word "cooperation" had not been written into As the natural result of this opportunist method current ecclesiastical vocabularies. of occupation, there was much overlapping of Those were the halcyon days of an accentuated territory and duplication of forces. Buildings of denominationalism, and the church board that rival denominations, even in small towns, were projected its work into a foreign field was obliged sometimes closely grouped together or near- to keep before its representatives in that land the just as in our home towns and villages-and a urgent need of lengthening its own rolls and sectarian press, instead of attacking, as common strengthening its peculiar bulwarks. Contrib- enemies, the religious indifference and extreme utors to the venture expected practical returns fanaticism of the period, soon found itself engaged from their investment, and the failure to report in a spirited exchange of theological amenities such gains with due regularity might have endan- that were not always complimentary, but must gered the financial support of the missionary. have given great joy to onlookers from the side- As a consequence, the occupation of the field lines.
was hasty and opportunist. With no previous However, early in the present century, better consultation among themselves, and with but a counsels began to prevail and one could note, here superficial understanding of the real needs of the and there, faint indications that gave promise of field, the various denominations, during the sec- future cooperation in what was slowly coming to ond half of the past century, occupied the most be recognized as a common task. Small groups easily accessible and most promising centers of of theological students, sometimes meeting at population in Latin America, leaving the vast different hours, in the same classrooms, but kept and then almost unknown hinterland of the con- carefully apart by their instructors, were united; tinent to the outcome of future contingencies. mutual attacks in the press became less frequent; Each of these denominations at once estab- and a partial though still reluctant consent was lished schools, began the publication of literature slowly won for the doctrine that good missionary that explained the unusual merits of its peculiar strategy demands mutual consideration in the 10- tenets, and undertook the preaching of the Gos- cation of denominational activities and equip- pel from pulpits hastily set up in buildings that ment.
[479 ]
The Edinburgh Congress, in 1910, had, for rea- complished in setting forward the Evangelical sons then considered valid, rej ected the considera- movement in South America since the Congress tion of problems related to missionary work in of Panama, held nine years before. The findings, lands where the Roman Catholic Church was dom- published in both English and Spanish, showed inant, and this attitude resulted in the calling, in great advance during that time and gave encour- 1916, of a special congress for the study of re- agement for the future.
ligious conditions in Latin America. This con- 3. A financial campaign in the United States, gress, held in Panama, was most opportune, in on behalf of educational institutions in South that it confirmed the little that had been done by America, known as Educational Advance, was ter- venturesome spirits and, by opening new avenues minated in 1930, and gave entirely new equipment for the exploration and application of the prin- to Ward College, in Argentina; the International ciples of cooperation, at once lifted the whole College, in Paraguay; Santiago College and In- question above the horizon and into the full light stitute Ingles, in Chile; the High School for Girls, of day. in Peru, and the American College for Boys, in The Committee on Cooperation in Latin Amer- Colombia, in addition to helping other institutions. ica, whose duties were to be similar to those of 4. A Committee on' Cooperation in Santo Dothe Continuation Committee of the Edinburgh Congress, was organized in Panama, on adjourn- mingo was formed several years ago, under the ment of the Congress, and, since that time, per- auspiees of the larger entity, by the several sociesuasively and consistently, has kept before its ties working in that island, by the pooling of their constituent groups, as also before the general pub- resources and the initiation of a union program lic, the absolute necessity of cooperation, if the for the promotion of educational, evangelistic, Evangelical churches in Latin America are to medical and literary work. As a result of this advance their work or even hold what has already organization, there is now but one recognizedly been won. important Evangelical Church in Santo Domingo, which counts on the hearty 'and sympathetic help Some Special Projects of the Committee of government and other authorities as it carries forward its fourfold program.
There is neither need nor space, in this article, 5. A Continental Program of Evangelization is to tell the full story of what has been accom- a more recent undertaking of the Committee, for plished by this Committee, in the now almost the purpose of making the Gospel known to the twenty years since its organization, but reference great unchurched class in Latin America, whose may be made to a number of special projects contact with Evangelical Christianity has been which have been organized and promoted under but slight or entirely lacking, and whose soul hun- its auspices. ger has found no satisfaction in the ministrations 1. The publication of La Nueva Democracia, a of the dominant church. This campaign, conmonthly magazine, in Spanish, which serves a ducted by a gifted evangelist, an Argentine by highly intellectual class Qf readers, giving them, birth, has already been carried into Colombia, as does no other publication, in their language, a Peru, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, with en- Christian interpretation of present-day problems. couraging results. This magazine has been well received by government and educational authorities, throughout the 6. To work in connection with the Central Comcontinent, and, because of its vital and Christian mittee on Cooperation, whose offices are in New approach to questions of public interest, has done York City, a number of regional committees were much toward the creation of a friendly atmos- soon organized, in the most strategic centers, each phere for the development of Evangelical work. of which has contributed largely to the spread of the principles of cooperation in its own area and Many books have also been written by the sec- has cultivated many projects of a local nature retaries of the Committee, or prepared under which have created a better understanding among their direction, which deal sympathetically with the various denominations.
social, economic and religious problems in His- Local Situations panic America. A reference to a few of these cooperative un- dertakings in each of the various large areas will 2. In 1925, a Congress on Christian Work, with help the reader to understand more fully how, special reference to South America, was organ- widely the principle of cooperation has now exized and met in Montevideo, Uruguay. The pur- tended throughout the continent. pose of this congress was the study of problems that had, emerged in this part of the Americas, Mexico, in the far north, has always been fer- in the aftermath of the World War, and, more tile in the production of religious problems. A especially, the evaluation of what had been ac- thoroughly sectarian attitude characterized the
COOPERATION AND UNITY IN LATIN AMERICA
Evangelical churches working in that country, for cooperate with those of other denominations; many years, but, in 1919, a plan was adopted by (d) the distressingly large number of small and the various boards which established primary ter- independent groups, almost invariably under the ritorial responsibility, merged a number of com- control of leaders who are militant Fundamenpetitive printing presses and periodicals, and talists and hopelessly sectarian; and (e) the surorganized a Union Theological Seminary. prising fact that, as a general rule, the national ministers are less inclined to practice cooperation In Central America, where a Conference on than are the missionaries. This is probably due Cooperation was held, in Guatemala City, in 1920, to the fact that cooperation is too often looked delimitations of territory and definite commit- upon as something exotic and, hence, under susments, as outlined at that time, are still respected pICIOn. Also, many of the leading nationals of and the two large denominations, Presbyterians today were trained by missionaries of the old and the Central America Mission, work together school in whose terminology cooperation had no in full harmony. place.
In Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Boliv- Definite Results ia and Chile, there is no official office or secretary for the promotion of cooperation among' the vari- Nevertheless, in spite of these and other obstaous denominations, but, in all these countries, a cles to its progress, cooperation has made some good spirit prevails and, in some of them, there is act.ual cooperation. In Peru, three bodies coop- AN INTEIWENOMINATIONAL YOUNG PE.OPLE'S SUMMER erate in the publication ofRenacimiento, an evan- INSTITUTE', BUENOS AYRES gelical mo:nthly magazine, and the same groups sustain a union Bible School. In Chile, the Meth- very definite advance, and the following special odists and Presbyterians have a definite under- results may be mentioned: standing as to territorial occupation, so that overlapping is avoided, maintain a Union Seminary, (a) Opportunism has very generally disapand also have a friendly understanding as to peared, giving place to a more modern and more other activities. Christian strategy in the occupation of the field; (b) mutual recrimination in the Evangelical press In Argentina, the Disciples of Christ and the has almost disappeared, several rival organs of Methodists unite in maintaining Ward College, a publicity having been merged, in the interests of high-grade institution that registers about five both harmony and economy; (c) educational inhundred students in all sections, and a Union stitutions have also been merged, in a number of Seminary, which is also attended by students cases, thus forming one strong school instead of from other denominations. There are, too, a two or three weak ones; (d) a continental cam- Training School for young women which, al- paign of evangelism, now being conducted, is altothough sustained by the Women's Foreign Mis- gether nondenominational; (e) and, best of all, no sionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal doubt, the far-flung Evangelical work of the con- Church, is open to students of all Evangelical tinent, under the influence of this new spirit of groups and numbers on its faculty men and wom- friendly comity and cooperation, has regained en of different denominations; a union bookstore, much of the fascination of a great adventure as organized and maintained by some eight cooper- we go forward, in unity of spirit, to the God-given ating bodies; and a number of other organiza- task of making a nonsectarian Christ known to tions which care for work among the young peo- the peoples of Latin America, thus bringing appreple, for women, etc. ciably nearer the realization of His own prayer that we may be one, even as He and the Holy Brazil, in some ways, excels all other countries Father are one. of Latin America in the amount of Evangelical work done within its borders, and the spirit of cooperation is strong. An Evangelical Federation has recently been formed, in which six denominations, six missionary organizations, and three societies cooperate. Cooperation is car~d for through a section of this confederation.
Obstacles in the Way of Cooperation The principal obstacles in the path of cooperation are: (a) The swiftly rising tide of false nationalism; (b) the religious inheritance of the people in which there is no element of comity or cooperation; (c) the insistent refusal of a few mission boards to allow their representatives to
of the Printed Page*
By the REV. H. C. TUCKER, D.D., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 'Agent of the American Bible Society Christian and Anti-Christian Literature A Brazilian of note wrote a few years ago under THE statement is made in Sartor Resartus: the caption, "What Our Fathers Read": "He who first shortened the labor o~ copyi.sts by device of moveable type was dIsbandmg "If the French, notwithstanding they are Cathhired armies and cashiering most Kings and Senates and creating a whole new democratic world: olic, yet read considerably, it. is due not only to he had invented the art of printing." the direct inheritance of LatIn culture and the In this new democratic age the press has become a most efficient and widely used agency for Renaissance, but to the influence of Calvinism, communicating both truth and falsehood; it is a power both for good and evil. ~arlyle says: "The very strong there in the sixteenth century, and true university of these days IS a collectIon of also to the spirit of Gallican independence. For books." The Protestant Christian movement, carrying a there can be no doubt that the Reformation by Book that contains its message for the world, re- the obligation imposed upon the faithful to read gards the printed page as an indispensable agency in the accomplishment of its task. The work of the Bible to which Latin Catholicism was always reducing spoken languages to written systems has in view the use of the printed page for setting hostile, dreated in modern Europe the habit of and transmitting information. Teaching the illiterate to read is consequently an outstanding reading; and this explains why the Protestant part of missionary endeavor. nations have much more this habit than the Cath- The discoverers and settlers of the New World found here tribes without any knowledge of let- olic. To learn to read is to the Protestant a reters or of literature. Teaching them to read was not a feature specially emphasized in the early ligious necessity; for his religious culture deattempts to civilize these indigenous elements. Consquently the percentage of illiteracy has been pends almost exclusively on the reading of the large and only in recent years is this being reduced at an encouraging pace. Official statistics, Bible. For the Catholic it is unnecessary as the statements in the press and public addresses justify the following from sympathetic writers, oral lesson suffices for his religious edification, who have observed for years in South America. One writes: even though given in a language he does not "Various estimates of illiteracy run from forty understand. The real causes why we read so little to ninety per cent, the average literacy being kept down by the millions of untaught Indians. Com- are those given in my previous article-the influpulsory school attendance laws are unenforcable for lack of equipment and teachers, and there are ence of Catholicism after the Reformation, hosstill multitudes of children wandering about the streets without a chance to acquire even the three tile to reading and distrustful of books."
A priest publishes this statement: "For a long time, it must be admitted, the Gospel was for the Catholics a closed book, an unknown book, and for this reason the God of the Gospel is becoming an unknown God. Even among pious persons, among those who most closely seek to follow Jesus Christ, there are few who read the Gospel."
Dr. John A. Mackay well writes: "The Roman Catholic hierarchy accepted the responsibility of forbidding the pUblication and circulation of the Holy Scriptures in Latin America. This measure prevented these republics having access to the only book that could have brought new life to their people through a radical rethinking of life as a whIot lee~calnuddesdo prepare them for true democ- racy. from the thought life of Latin America the greatest known stimulus to popular education."
R's." The printed page, presenting the Gospel mes- ' Another says: "Literacy in some countries sage, faces also the charge that the Bi?le contains drops as low as fifteen per cent." only a part of the truth. Latin AmerIcan peoples – – – • In attempting to write of the printed page in the Christian mis- have been taught that there is a body of essential religious truth unwritten, held alone by the IiIndsiroanwanrylaregnetleyrpfrriosme BinrazLila,tisnincAemmeyricoab,sefravcattsI,Onanadndfiegxupreesr,ienmcuesht avbee fallible Church and only handed on to men ora y. btheaenn ifnarotmhoerrepeaxrttsenosfivetheincothnitsinceonutn.-trHy. fCo,r Tn.early a half century [482 ] This tradition is deeply imbedded in the minds of In recent years, when a changed attitude with many throughout the continent. reference to the reading of the Bible by the peo- ple has been forced upon ecclesiastical authorities, The priest above quoted wrote: "Protestantism some editors have printed consecutively passages teaches that all the truths of faith are to be found of Scripture texts, generally taken from an unin the sacred Scriptures, and that we all have the authorized Roman Catholic version. right of interpreting them, according to the light of the Holy Spirit. While combating this dan- From the very beginning the Protestant Chrisgerous and deadly doctrine, prolific mother of in- tian mission has made special use of the printed numerable extravagant sects, contradicting them- page in the work. The missionary with the Bible selves, the Church does not purpose depriving us in hand offers it to all who can read and emphaof the Bible, always, on the other hand, con- sizes the opportunity and duty of searching the sidered as a luminous and most abundant foun- Scriptures to find eternal life and light upon the tain of divine revelation. On the contrary, not pathway and problems of life. only does the Church recommend, with importunity, the reading of the sacred books, but more- There are several Protestant printing presses over grants many indulgences to all those who at and publishing houses in South America sending least for a quarter of an hour read a passage of the Gospels." What Does South America Need Most?
The Cardinal Archbishop oj Rio de Janeiro in a letter to his clergy, authorizing and recommending the reading of the Scriptures re-edited by Franciscan Monks in the vernacular tongue, says, "At the moment in which we write these words of approval and apology of the work of popularizing the reading of the Holy Gospels, we judge it convenient to make them very clear, that our attitude can never be confounded with the propaganda that our separated brethren, the Protestants, are very actively making. No; they, faithful to their principles, wish to substitute the Gospels for the Church; they claim to find directly and exclusively in the Gospels the dogma of faith and the rules of living."
The Press and the Gospel Reprinted by courtesy of the Christian Worken Magazine Dr. Abdel Ross Wentz, in "Across the Barriers of Language," states eloquently a historic fact out an increasing number of tracts, books and when he says, "with Luther's translation the periodical literature containing matter and mesprinting press discovered the Bible, took it on its sages for the enlightenment and enrichment of wings and flew with it over the face of the earth. the mind and heart of the believing community It was not long until the Scriptures were making and for the evangelization of the masses who can their appearance in millions of copies each year." read. Schools are established to make wider use This miracle is being wrought throughout Latin of the printed page; children and illiterate adults America. are taught to read, and are induced to provide themselves with helpful literature and good books. Sections of the secular press in Latin America The printed page makes possible these two sucare favorable to the work of disseminating the cessful branches of missionary work, and appeals Gospel among the people. Some have opened for its increasingly wider use. Many have been their columns to Evangelical writers on religious induced to read a Bible, a New Testament or a topics, requesting generally that controversial and religious tract, who, for reasons not difficult to dogmatic subjects be avoided. These writers have understand, would not enter a hall or a church not been able generally to make use of these privi- to listen to the preacher's spoken message. The leges consecutively for a very long time since pub- rapid spread of education, an intellectual renaislishers have been advised to close their columns sance evident everywhere, and the multiplication to such communications under threat of seeing of printing presses continually open wider doors their circulation decrease. Even when Protestant writers have contracted to pay for space the threat of religious boycott has lead editors to cancel agreements.
for the entrance of the Gospel message by means received striking testimonies to the value of the of the printed page. work of Bible distribution. Many churches, now vigorous and growing, trace their origin to a copy The report of the World Sunday School Con- of the Scriptures carried far beyond the range of vention at Zurich truly says: "There is no greater the missionary and making for itself a lodging in missionary agency in Latin America than the some believing heart." Bible and no greater need than the circulation and study of it. We should give our help to all the Christian and Anti-Christian Literature agencies which are promoting the publication and distribution of the Scriptures in Latin America." Reference has been made already to the place and production in the Protestant movement. The Dr. John A. Mackay says: "The Bible was the variety and quantity of Christian literature availpioneer of the Evangelical movement in Latin able in South America is quite inadequate to meet America. Scarcely had Latin America attained the needs. Most of what appeared in the earlier political freedom when parcels of Bibles in Span- stages of the work were translations and producish and Portuguese began to be deposited in South tions from the pens of missionaries. In recent American ports by Christian sea captains." Per- years national writers are editing the church usal of reports of Bible societies and Protestant papers and Sunday school literature and are writmissions will enable the reader "to calculate the ing Evangelical books and tracts. Lack of funds forces of the spiritual impact represented by the discourages many who would otherwise supply coming of the Book of Books" to Latin America. material to meet the needs. Notwithstanding this drawback progress is being made in the quantity Writing of the mission and work of Bible so- and quality of Protestant Christian literature. The cieties he says: "These heralds of the Word and situation furnishes a great opportunity to those the Evangelical Church behind them can be satis- who might contribute of their means to print and fied with no less an ideal than the fulfilment of spread the Gospel and to build the Kingdom of the Chilean poetess, Gabriella Mistral's desire, Christ in the heart and life of Latin America. when she says, 'My passion for the Bible is perhaps the only bridge that unites me with the On the other hand the multiplication of print- Anglo-Saxon race, the piece of common soil on ing facilities throughout Latin America have which I find myself at home with this race. . . . made it possible to use the printed page to spread Some day I hope to see the essential Book in every positivism (the philosophy of Augusto Comte South American Catholic home-the Book which which takes the form of religion), spiritism, thecan as little be done without as our faces, which osophy, and various other cults. Such books, is as logical a necessity as our names-just as I pamphlets and other pUblications are found in see it in every North American home, where it abundance in bookstores and news stands of the meets us with its holy and familiar counte- cities and towns throughout South America. Many nance.' " are anti-Christian in teaching and are hostile to Christianity. The materialistic interpretaton of Many Evangelical churches throughout the life finds expression in a considerable measure country date their origin from a copy of the Bible and immorality in various forms of expression left in the hands of an individual. A Baptist mis- also seizes upon the printed page for its nefarious sionary evangelist writes: "In nine years of purposes. Pornographic literature of the vilest active service in the far interior I have never yet type is circulated privately and now and then gone into a place where the Bible had not pre- forces itsltlf in show windows and on counters to ceded me, preparing the hearts of the people for contaminate the public. Police authorities in rethe preaching of the Gospel." cent years are vigilant and active in their efforts to suppress the exhibition and sale of such One man had a Bible for about twenty years printed matter. before he met a Protestant preacher. When the missionary first visited the community he found The influence of the daily paper is a striking eighteen men and women who had experienced feature of the present-day life of Latin American conversion and were ready for baptism. They countries. Rio de Janeiro boasts of not less than were running a little day school to teach their ten popular morning and five afternoon papers, children to read the Bible. besides several daily sheets of less importance. Other Latin American cities and towns show a The religious question in Brazil is being fo- similar record. Some are anti-Christian in atticused more and more about the written Word of tude and most of these papers are under no domi- God. The Bible proves its spiritual value to those nant Christian purpose or control, except as it who read and meditate on its divine truths. The may be for political purposes. Many of the papers Book is finding its way into the libraries, coun- will, however, publish Evangelical news and other cils and courts of the country and is beginning to reading matter, including Bible passages. exert its influence upon the laws of the Republic.
A traveler who recently visited Brazil wrote: "From missionaries of various denominations I
Youth in Mexico
, By PROF. GONSALO BAEZ .CAMARGO General Secretary of Christian Education, Mexico City D EEP and powerful forces, springing up groups of Christian young people are thinking from the depths of human nature and his- and doing everywhere. Let me tell of a few signs tory, are eagerly seeking to remodel the clearly indicative that the Evangelical youth of world. Old traditions and concepts, and stand- Mexico is coming,up to face the opportunities and ards of behavior are being exposed to bitter criti- responsibilities of the present hour, when matecism. It is indeed an age of rebellion against the rialistic un-Christian forces are seeking to grasp past and of anxious searching for new ways to the control of the process through which a new substitute for the ways of old. Bold experiments nation is coming into existence. in ethics and social organization are coming to be the fashion of the day. It is almost taken for The National Union of Ohristian Youth granted that to be modern means to be uncon- For a long time a dispersed and divided Evan- cerned about the foundamentals of a good life, to gelical youth has been one of the main sins of delet loose the inner restraints that make for virtue nominationaIism in Mexico. As heirs of the traand self-control, to disparage all that was held ditions of their elders, the young people of the sacred by the previous generation. Even if we churches have been led into indifference or even confess to everything that was unsound and fal- prejudice and bitterness towards the members of lacious in the ethical standards of the past, it is other denominations. But for many years, here none the less true that the present generation is and there, a few enlightened leaders of youth have misinterpreting sincerity as cynicism. It is an been patiently endeavoring to bring the young age that still has to learn the enormous difference people of all denominations closer together and between a saint and a hypocrite, between a sin- to direct their energies in a united front attack cere, honest, simple-minded man and a cynic. on common problems. At last, in 1933, a national An age of change and misguided rebellion assembly of young people from eight different against what is conventional and unfounded, is denominations decided to constitute themselves also an age that calls both for plasticity and es- into a national Union of Christian Young People.
sential goodness. Plasticity is an urgent need if The Union issued a call to the youth of all deone is to find the right way amidst a changing nominations. The following excerpt from this world. To be stagnant and unreceptive, to close document will explain the central aim of the tight the windows of the spirit in the face of en- movement: "The Christian youth of Mexico … larging horizons, has always been a dangerous adopts as the principle and foundation of its work policy; but in the present world it is indeed espe- the following: cially deadly. It means to commit suicide. But "'To present the message of the Gospel of the living Christ to all the Mexican nation without distinction, agto be plastic alone does not save. There is only gressively and bravely, . . . considering as central the th b' dd d value of human personality and its salvation in Christ one thmO g at amounts to emg ea an that Jesus as the ultimate and supreme objective; to work for is being shaken and driven to and fro by every the application of Christian teachings and standards of behavior in all the realms of human life.' " wind. The newest has never been a safe criterion for the best. Plasticity must be directed and con- trolled by a deep capacity to recognize and follow Every year since, the Union has held a national what is really beautiful, and true, and good, and congress or convention. Their leaders keep by the ability to discover the essential and perma- abreast of present-day issues. Financial limitanent and highest values both in the old and in the tions have made the practical work slow and re- new. stricted. But the original note struck by the Youth is plasticity.' Christianity is capacity to Union has not been toned down and the movement discover the highest good and loyalty to it. We is gradually gaining strength.
may safely assert, then, that the present age is The Mexican laws prohibit any kind of religious a most strategical opportunity for the thought teaching in private schools. Refusing, as a matand action of Christian youth all over the world. ter of conscience, to subscribe to an educational It is encouraging to hear fresh reports of what policy not only neutral, but in a certain sense, [485 ]
even contrary to Christian faith, most of the tion and" direction of a national scout movement.
Evangelical schools have decided to close. This Using a native scout program called the "Tribes fact is making the Evangelical work face an en- of Mexican Scouts" or tequihuas (Indian name tirely new situation with regard to young people for scout) as a basis and infusing into it t~e in general and students in particular. The prob- Christian building of character, Mr. Velasco IS lem is how to extend the Christian influence to working out a fine educational program for adol- this promising section of the youth of the nation. ethsceenGt~nebroayls and girls. Under the auspices of Department of Christian Education One of the most interesting new agencies that are gradually emerging to take the place, to. ~ cer- he has organized several "tribes" (scout troops) tain extent only, of course, of the tradItIonal Evangelical school, now practically obsolete, is in churches and Christian hostels. This is anbeing tried out by Mr. T. B. Reifsnyder, a Pr~s byterian missionary. Using a fine group of ChrIs- other agency which in due time will take over a good proportion of the opportunities and respon- sibilities of the former Evangelical schools.
tian students, attending the public superior The Salvationist Patrol schools and the university, as a nucleus of influence, Mr. Reifsnyder gathers together once or Inspired by the work of the Salvation Army, twice a week a number of students for informal but in a real indigenous form, a young Christian discussion of religious topics. The meetings are leader, Mr. Alejandro Guzman, has organized held in the private dormitory of one of the alumni "The Salvationist Patrol," men and women who of an Evangelical school. Inquirers are welcomed have felt God's call to minister to the physical and encouraged, and the Christian boys speak of and spiritual needs of the underdogs in one of their belief and experience in a friendly and in- Mexico City's most vicious suburbs. Their work timate way. is a successful combination of social service and evangelistic soul winning. They have their head- Camp Work Among Young People quarters in one of the Evangelical churches, and For many years the Y. M. C. A. has been con- their groups of patrolmen and women are conducting camps for its members. The Y. M. C. A. stantly on duty day and night. also is operating a camp for girls. The General They do not wait for people to come, but go Department of Christian Education (interdenominational) started a camp work with the defi- out and seek the needy ones. They see that abannite purpose of training Christian leaders or the young people of the churches, and for extension doned, diseased people receive proper medical work among the non-Christian youth. Camp Tlanextepec-Indian name for "The Mount of the care, either through free home treatment by a doc- Dawn"-was established for the purpose in a beautiful spot on the slopes of snow-capped Mount tor or, in most cases, by arranging a place in the Ixtaccihuatl, some fifty miles from Mexico City. The first camp was opened in the spring of 1931, public hospital for them. They keep mformed of and for five consecutive years it has been in operation. Leadership Training Camps for boys and poor expectant mothers and make provision for girls, Intermediate Camps, a Father and Son Camp and a Christian Workers' (pastors and sem- free assistance by a midwife or doctor. And inary students) Camp have been held. Attendance at the three Leaders' Camps and the study all of these services are pervaded by the evangelof a six-units Training Course gives the right to a Young People's Leader Diploma. Fourteen istic passion, and new converts have been made campers have received such a diploma. through their instrumentality. They feel very The campers have organized themselves into two societies, the "Citlalpol" (meaning "Rain of happy, for instance, when they can point to old Stars") for girls, and the "Teotecuhtlis" (God's Knights) for boys. These organizations are help- Mrs. whom they picked up from the street, ing to tighten the bonds of fellowship among the campers and to develop the experiences of camp a drug addict, and now a regenerated woman and into practical Christian life and service. The movement is now well rooted, and is resulting faithful member of the local church. in great inspiration and stronger consecration. The self-denial of this fine group of young peo- ple, only about a dozen, is amazing. They sacrifice all they can on behalf of the needy ones. This work is supported by gifts from friends, and al- though sometimes the financial problem is very acute, they bravely carryon.
This is but a glimpse of the great opportunities and responsibilities that the youth of Mexico are learning to face and meet. There are terrific rumors abroad of the religious situation in Mex- ico. As a matter of fact, whatever the issues of the situation may be, one thing stands out as one goes over the reaction of the Evangelical churches to it; and that is, that the Evangelical youth is beginning to answer the challenge of the situation One of the Tlanextepec leaders, a Teotecuhtli, and is stepping forward to take a leading part in Mr. Nelson Velasco, is undertaking the organiza- the salvation of the country.
In Chile In the Early
-·<lijfll By LAURA JORQUERA, Santiago, Chile II~- T HE first An3'lo-Saxon to set foot in Chile dary. Their children, born in Chilean territory, came in 1819, the year that Queen Victoria according to her laws were citizens of Chile. That was born. She was my great-grandmother, meant that the children must be baptized in the and the first Protestant to establish her home in Roman Catholic Church and their names inscribed this land. in the parish registers. But their parents took She had adventurers' blood in her veins, and this as only a civil rite, and had everyone of belonged to that German family which gave to those children rebaptized as soon as an opportu- the Roman Catholic hierarchy the greatest of her nity came.
Popes, Gregory the Great. This family was A few happy years went by and then something among the first to embrace the Reformed faith else came to worry the parents. Every school was and when persecution broke out in the realm of either directly under the priests' or nuns' control Charles the Fifth, the Hildebrandts escaped to or its religious instruction was under a priest. England and took the name of Hilburn. As the This meant that every child had to go to confeswife of Jesse Taylor, an English officer, dainty sion, to confirmation and holy communion, be- Sarah Ann Hilburn came to the new world to sides being obliged to attend religious services, make her home in Chile. novenas, processions, etc. Not to do so meant public affront and expulsion from the school. Thus Chile was still in the throes of her war for the three little daughters and only son had only independence from Spain and had only a few their father and mother for teachers. months before fought her last battle. At the request of the Director-General of the new repub- By this time the foreign residents in Valparaiso lic, Lord Cochrane came to organize a navy which were numerous enough to have a burying ground might aid the republics along the west coast of of their own. The English-speaking residents South America to gain their freedom. The ter- also had a chaplain sent out from home, but servrible Inquisition in Lima, Peru, was always ready ices could only be conducted in English, behind to receive heretics to imprison them, and escape closed doors. In Santiago and in other cities those was well nigh impossible. In Chile the Inquisi- who died outside the pale of the Roman Church tion did not function as such, but there was a must be laid outside the public cemetery. The special court which arrested all accused of heresy heretics soon took the custom of burying their and dispatched them to Lima. dead on the eastern slope of the rocky mound known as Santa Lucia, which had been a Spanish Many Anglo-Saxons who came to fight against fortress from the time of Chile's conquest by Spain remained in South America and married Pedro de Valdivia in 1542. On this beautiful hill into native families. Among those who gave their one can now read on a bronze tablet these words: life for the cause of freedom was Jesse Taylor, whose pretty young widow married John Withers, Dedicated to the memory of the outcasts from heaven who had inherited the religious tenets of the and the earth who were here buried…. Scotch Presbyterians. Eventually "the three gringuitas" (little Eng- Those who have never lived in a Roman Cath- lish girls) were married, two of them to Englisholic country, where the Constitution declares that men, one to a German. This meant that their to be the religion of the State, and where the offspring held to their Protestant faith and to priesthood is in command, cannot understand their mother tongue. Their children, being citiwhat it means. My great-grandparents could not zens of the country of their birth, were desirous be married in Chilean territory unless they were of taking advantage of their political and civil first baptized as members of the Catholic Church, rights, and wished to broaden their circle of since the priests were the only ones authorized to friends and activities. They must, therefore, atlegalize a marriage. John Withers and Sarah Ann Hilburn had to wait many long, weary months for tend the national schools and take part in national a British man-of-war to arrive in Valparaiso so affairs.
that the chaplain could marry them on shipboard The boys fared all right, because the schools according to international law. they attended were State establishments and al- Soon they found themselves in another quan- ready religious instruction and requirements were [487 ]
not taken much into account. But there were their religious faith, when they might have been only private schools for girls, and those which educated in the costliest schools, worn fine dresses were not directly under the nuns must have a and jewels and married into the highest circles of priest to teach religion. Every class hour began the land! But they refused every invitation which with the wholesale repetition of the "Hail Mary," might lead to being spirited away to a convent.
four or five "rosaries," and ended with making Entering Politics the sign of the Cross. When a child did not comply with these rules, either the teachers or the Then the children and the grandchildren of pupils or both made "little hell" for her. many Protestant foreigners who had established One day my mother, just twelve years of age, themselves in Chile began to fake a hand in poli- was called to the headmistress' desk and publicly tics. A strong liberal party was established and expelled. When her mother went to inquire as to new laws were advocated. Marriage was sanc- the reason, she was told that any Protestant girl tioned by the civil authorities. A cemetery was was a disgrace to the school. opened where no one could be denied burial; More than once my mother and her sister and births and deaths were registered by the State.
cousins had the same painful experience. When No one must be questioned about his or her re- William Taylor visited Chile in 1878 and proposed ligious beliefs when entering a State establishsending missionary teachers to open English- ment or bureau. It was a long and bitter strug- speaking schools he found a warm reception, gle. Then the State and Church were separated which accounts for the origin of Santiago and and gradually a more tolerant spirit has come.
Concepc;ion Colleges and the American School for Now Evangelicals can have their own churches Boys. and schools; we are not obliged to kneel when One morning, when the sun was scarcely over the Host passes by, and church festivals are not the top of the Cordillera in Santiago, there came so much observed. Protestant Sunday school chil- a great banging and screaming at my grandmoth- dren are not stoned and pelted with mud as my er's house. Aroused out of sleep, they were aston- mother and her sister and cousins used to be !
ished to see some rough-looking men come in, How much, of this new liberty, how many of headed by a priest, who started throwing all the these liberal laws, owe their existence to the in- furniture through the windows or carrying it out fluence of Protestants and to the missionaries can to the street. Grandmother had Scotch blood, only be guessed, but there is one name that stands and was not to be browbeaten in that way. To out clearly, one man whom no one will deny the her indignant inquiries the men replied that she honor of having given his personal work and in- and her family were Protestants and heretics and fluence to such a cause: Dr. David Trumbull, the should be burnt at the stake. The landlord was first ordained pastor who arrived in Chile defi- a firm believer in confession and her priest had nitely to take up the work of evangelization. He given her orders to "put those people in the learned the language well, sought the acquaint- street." But the priest forgot the law, and the ance of prominent men, had a President for his judge made both him and the landowner pay a personal friend, and from him obtained official heavy fine for violating the rights of honest, well- support for the secularization of the birth, mar- paying tenants. riage and death registers. In exchange and ac- Church festivities were constantly interfering cording to his promise to the President, he imme- with business, stopping the traffic with their pro- diately requested his citizenship in the country.
cessions. As a little girl of ten I was often or- To him, more than to anyone else do we present- dered to kneel down in the street when a certain day Evangelicals owe the liberty we enjoy and the little bell rang. My mother's children never knelt hope of still better days to come.
as the Host passed them by, but we did keep quiet. This only refers to political or civil rights and I remember the black looks, the threatening words liberty. It is quite another story when a Roman I heard more than once. Catholic becomes a Protestant. To do so is to Perhaps the hardest thing of all for my grand- escape, literally, from a bondage which only those mother and her young daughters to understand who have experienced it can understand. was the offers made by more than one rich and aristocratic lady to adopt them, and to leave them a fortune if they consented to be baptized as Ro- In spite of all the atheism and indifference that man Catholics. Left a widow as a still young is sweeping Latin Americans off their feet, the woman, with few means of her own, my grand- power of the living Christ, 0 Cristo Vivente, when mother had a hard time to keep her children and once glimpsed, is sufficient to make men say with to hold steadily to her own faith. Her two pretty a certa;n Argentine lawyer, "There will always be girls, intelligent, and with a refined background, room in men's hearts for the personality of Jesus were obliged to work for their living because of Christ."-From "Latin American Backgrounds."
Testimonies to the Living
WHAT OHRIST MEANS TO BRAZILIANS* great inspiration which means a profounder brotherhood. BORN in an Evangelical community, which was already greatly under the influence of Although sincere in their aim, those who national leaders and of the pioneer mission- brought Protestantism to Brazil brought also unaries and their colleagues, we received the first religious impressions in an atmosphere in which, fortunate ecclesiastical divisions; and from that with evident exaggeration, the legal and forensic time they have to some extent stimulated the secaspects of Christianity were presented. Some generations of pastors were educated in this en- tarian spirit which often obscures the feeling of vironment. spiritual unity. It is the inescapable duty of the The emphasis which the unselfish missionaries churches of the present to make a sincere and in Latin America put upon the fundamental doc- continuous effort to remedy the evils of the prestrines was quite reasonable, correcting the excesses, doctrinal errors and practices of the domi- ent, in harmony with the spirit of the Gospel, nant religion. It was necessary to insist upon and as a necessity for the struggle against the the redemption offered on Calvary, as also upon the free nature of salvation and the meaning of enemies of the Kingdom of God. faith. But, as is natural, the emphasis was ex- The spiritual environment in Brazil is not natucessive and we have suffered the consequencesthe religious intellectualism, the spirit of polemics rally favorable to sectarianism. We have ethnical and a certain negligence for other sacred aspects of Christianity. Fortunately one can already factors and ecclesiastical education which for notice a reaction in the direction of a more spiritual interpretation of the religion of Christ which centuries have made Brazilian and Latin Amerseeks not only to save the individual but to solve ica's psychology opposed to the spirit of sepamodern social problems. Quite ample is the salvation which our Divine Redeemer offers us! ratism.
Christianity is for us the religion which sees The reaction to sectarianism is already felt. in Christ the Divine Master, Saviour, and In- The new generation abhors polemics; it is freespirer. There has always been zeal to proclaim the ethical value of Jesus' religion; and we shall ing itself from the obsession of attacking the never forget the good influence exercised upon a generation of theological students who used to dominant Church, and is anxious for a real movehear the preaching from a noble Brazilian Chris- ment in favor of the unification of the Evangelitian leader. cal churches.
As we grow in experience, our conviction be- On the top of the Corcovado Mountain, from comes profounder that only Christ can be our Master and sure Leader and Supreme Inspiration. which one can see a marvelous panorama, includ- "Christ taught little but inspired much," said a ing both the Bay of Guanabara and the city of great writer of the last century. The religious mistakes, the interdenominational struggles, the Rio de Janeiro, is raised the statue of Christ the shortsightedness of many are due to the lack of Redeemer. We hope that its true symbolism will understanding of Christ as the Master Who, with His eternal words, inspires in us that Spirit which be accomplished and that the Living Christ will we can get from no other source. gain the allegiance of the sons of this land. To Jesus Christ is our Great Brother, who reveals to us all the greatness of God's Fatherhood, who Him many will look in search of peace for their is His Father and our Father. He is for us a hearts, light for their soul, and inspiration for • It Is not possible, within the limits allowed us, to give even a life and sacrifice! short exposition about the meaning of Christ for us and for our people, according to the teachings of the New Testament, and the EPAMINONDAS M. DO AMARAL, ~~~~~~:~at~~ .;r;~ !~~~~:onaries who brought to us the Christian Rio de Janeiro.
*** FOR one who has been taught, ever since child- hood, the traditional religion of the Roman Catholic Church, with its ceremonies, prayers to saints, etc., the reality of Christ's personality, His saving love and fellowship, is most marvelous.
The discoverers of Brazil brought, not the Chris- tianity of the New Testament, but that of the Roman Catholic Church, which is everything ex- cept a saving Christianity.
I was brought up in a pious Catholic home.
My mother never let me go to bed without my spending half an hour in prayer to the saints the wanodrldeacohveor.ne She kI.nnveowkead st oa i nptr oftoecr t elv1'feerydunrel.endg, was the day and during the night. I was instructed [489 ]
in the practices of the Church, committing to He went to keep his appointment and on the memory the Latin phrases of the confessional way, at the place he had been advised the assasmass and the burial of the dead. I was supposed sins would be, he saw two men holding their guns. to be the most religious boy of my community, The missionary asked them if they were waiting but in spite of this I knew nothing about salva- for anybody and if he could render them any tion. As I faced the problem of the salvation of service. They did not reply so he told them that my soul, I found no possibility of escape. No one he was going to preach at a certain place and could help me, neither the priest nor my mother. invited them to attend. After he was gone the This fact took my sleep away, and my peace was men asked each other why they had not killed gone. The "flames of hell" got hold of my imagi- the preacher. Then one of them said: "Let us nation and there was but one relief-to banish go and hear him preach and see what is wrong religion from my mind. Soon my faith in the with the man we came to kill and did not." They Church, in the saints, in religion as a whole, was went and one of them was converted. We believe gone, yet there remained in the depth of my soul in the personal friendship of Christ and His help a longing for God, with no knowledge of how to in time of need. find Him. 3. Christ is to me and to my people the only One day I found an old Bible, and before I read way of salvation. Brazil has its own problems the New Testament through I found what I had and some of them are very serious. We have been seeking all my life. Since that day Christ, a new country, and have very serious and troublemy Saviour, has meant to me untold blessings. some problems to solve. We have men of the highest type, cultured, patriotic and anxious to 1. Christ is to me a personal Saviour. Personal solve these problems. But we are convinced that religion is a thing unknown in the Catholic nothing but the power of Jesus Christ can solve Church in Brazil. People are taught to believe them. It is not so much a matter of religion. As in the religion of their parents, without any idea a rule, the people are religious, but it is not reof personal salvation. For all believers in Jesus ligion that saves lost souls, it is the power of God Christ the reality of Christ in our experience is in the hearts of men that saves them and lifts up the most precious and unquestionable fact. We a country; this power my people have not and know Him, live in Him, and associate Him with know not where to find it. If we preach the Gosevery fact of life. No longer do we repeat the pel and the people believe it and live it, the probimpotent traditions told by our great grandfa- lems will take care of themselves. This is our thers. We know His salvation by experience and task. gladly tell it to others. Brazil needs education for its children, needs For me the most marvelous thing is the reality more comforts for its people, needs to improve its of Christ's presence in our life. The teachings of tremendous riches; Brazil has the resources to the New Testament and Christ's experience be- become one of the greatest nations of the world, come our experience. All make a living chain but nothing of that can be accomplished if its that links us to Christ of the New Testament. people are not led to accept Christ and His power That is the reason why we preach the Gospel to to save them from their sins. Blessed are those our people who know nothing of these blessed who have given the Gospel to Brazil. We acpromises of the Gospels. knowledge the great service of missionaries, but the work is only beginning. Our hearts are sad 2. Christ is to me a personal friend. Nothing as we think of forty million souls without the can be compared with the friendship of Christ. Gospel here in Brazil, and the relative few be- The Catholics try to make friends with the saints, lievers with so limited means of reaching them. but they do not trust in their protection. Evan- Pray for us. gelical believers (the name by which Protestants are called) believe with their hearts in the friend- ANTONIO N. DEMESQUIT A, A.B., TR.D ship and protection of Christ. "God shall break forth like the dawn and we One day a missionary was invited to go to shall see," said that noble knight, Don Quixote. preach in the suburb of the city. He was advised The dawn of God, a transcendent light to set the not to go because two men had been paid to kill goal of life and to show the way to life,-that is him on the way. He replied, "I will go as I prom- man's urgent need amid the confusion and gripised as the people are waiting for me." ping fears of the present time. Especially is this the need of the Latin American who has passed his "You should not go," said his friend, "your life days transfixed to the earth, with a marked natural means much to the cause and it does not pay to tendency to non-ethical, non-metaphysical. non-rerisk it." ligious existence.-John A. Mackay in "That Other America." "I will go," said the missionary, "for my Saviour will go with me and they cannot kill me unless the Lord permits."
Twice,Born Latin An1ericans
, which throughout his youth had prompted him to write verses and essays. Friends in the school, PROF. GONSALO BAEZ CAMARGO who have since become well known as educators OF MEXICO and writers, influenced him in such a way that these interests supplanted the half-formed ambi- A Sketch by MILTON DAVIS, President of Union tion to become a soldier. Soon after returning Theological Seminary, Mexico City to the normal school he was asked by Dr. Wolfe, the presiding elder, to preach each Sunday at a D URING the decade beginning in 1850, the village in the neighboring State of Tlaxcala. His movement toward intellectual and religious acceptance was due partly to this growing literary freedom came to active expression in interest, and to the appeal offered by the oppor- Mexico. This tendency was fostered by the organization of a number of groups throughout the country for the study and expression of liberal ideas. Such a group was formed in the city of Oaxaca, in the year 1858, chiefly for the purpose of studying the Bible. One of its founders was Dr. Felix Gonzalez Angulo, who with his wife joined the Methodist Church in Oaxaca upon its organization. Rosenda, their youngest daughter, taught in the Methodist school, and later married Guillermo Camargo, a teacher, poet and public speaker. Of the two sons-Guillermo and Gonsalo-the first died in early childhood.
The family moved to the State of Chiapas, where the father died of yellow fever. Returning to Oaxaca, the mother devoted all her strength to rearing her son. She was a devoted member of the Evangelical Church, and earnestly desired Gonsalo to dedicate his life to the service of Christ. By great sacrifice she saw her son finish the primary school before he was eleven years old. But the struggle had undermined her health, and she died a month later. Upon the mother's death, Dr. V. D. Baez, then presiding elder, gave the boy a place in his family, where Gonsalo shared with eight children paternal affection and Christian nurture. The following year (1912) Gonsalo entered the school in Puebla, but in the second year of his normal I course the school was temporarily closed because PROF. GONSALO BAgZ CAMARGO of the revolution, and at the age of fifteen years tunity for practice in public speaking. His work the boy entered the Constitutionalist Army. In a as student pastor revived his vision of a life given battle near Mexico City he received a severe to Christian service-a vision instilled in him durwound and lay down under a tree, where he lost ing childhood by his mother, and stimulated by consciousness, but was rescued by a soldier and the influence of the Christian home into which he taken to the military hospital. had been adopted.
The seemingly accidental manner in which his The Union Evangelical Seminary was opened life was saved made little impression upon the in 1917, as a part of the new plan looking toward young lieutenant, but the taste of the soldier's a more intimate cooperation between the Evanlife had brought about a change in his purposes, gelical churches in Mexico. Young Camargo, and he decided to spend his life in the army. Upon though lacking one year of completing his normal the reopening of the school in 1916 he again took course, was urged to enter the seminary. He did up his studies with the hope of becoming a mili- so rather unwillingly for he desired further acatary technician. But the atmosphere of the school demic training. Once there, however, he enjoyed gradually strengthened the literary tendencies the enlarging intellectual horizon offered through [491 ]
his seminary studies, and became more interested Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Peru, where he in the Christian ministry as a life work. In gave two weeks of service to the Peruvian Evan- October, 1920, he was graduated from the semi- gelical Alliance. Since 1930 he has been presinary, and his ambition was to study medicine in dent of the Central Committee of Religious Eduorder that by serving both as pastor and physician cation for Latin America. His literary works (all he could best follow in the steps of his Master. in Spanish) include, "Looking Toward Religious Renewal in Spanish America"; "The Reason for Broken health made it impossible to carry out Protestantism in Mexico" (also in English); these plans, for tuberculosis developed, and for "Principles and Methods of Christian Education" ; several months he spent practically his entire time "The Truths and Errors of Marxism." in the open air. One day, while reading his Bible, he came to the words, "I shall not die, but live, Prof. Bftez Camargo has expressed his own conand declare the works of the Lord" (Psalm 118: viction as to his call to Christian service: 17) . He resolved that, if renewed health should be granted him, he would devote his life entirely "As I have thought of the circumstances of my to the service to which the Master was calling life, more and more there has become rooted in him. There came to him the conviction that his my mind the conviction that the Lord has granted life, saved years before through the kindness of a me my life for a purpose and for a calling. Twice soldier whom he had never seen before, and now He has given me back my life when it seemed algranted him again in his deliverance from sick- most lost. God used the apparent nearness of ness, had been saved for some definite mission. death to make me understand, to the depths of my heart and experience, that life is really a gift His health continued to improve during three from Him. If God rescued from death a young years spent in the pastorate. In 1925 he was officer, wounded and unconscious, it was to make called to the Secondary and Normal Department of him a soldier of Christ; and if he rescued him of the Puebla School. There he spent four years. from the power of sickness, it was to place him During one of these, in the absence of Prof. M. under the greater power of an unchangeable pur- D. Smith, the Director, he served as Acting Di- pose of Christian service. Twice God has given rector of the institution. me my life anew. The least I can do is to con- secrate all my strength and my energy to His After Dr. Robert M. Hopkins, Secretary to the service." World's Sunday School Association, visited Mexico in 1929, Prof. Camargo was called to be inter- *** denominational secretary of religious education, secretary of the National Council of Evangelical DOUTORA CAVALCANTE Churches in Mexico, and manager of the Union Evangelical Press. His work thus touches varied A Sketch by REV. W. C. TAYLOR, phases of the Evangelical Church enterprise- Pernambuco, Brazil that of planning and organizing the program of Christian education; coordinating the work of the COVETED title of rare· dignity! The Braseveral denominations, and encouraging coopera- zilian graduates of all superior schools are tion between them; and the publication of litera- called "Doutor" (Doctor), or "Doutora" ture for leadership training and for Christian (feminine). The heroine of this little sketch was education and culture. the second Brazilian woman to graduate from one of the federal medical schools and in North In addition to these activities there have been Brazil she was the first woman physician. Everyopen doors of service in other fields, particularly one knew her as "Doutora," the brilliant, devout, through the Young Men's Christian Association courageous, versatile, aristocrati.c, humble, hardand the editorial department of Excelsior, one of working sister in Christ, Dr. Amelia Cavalcante. the leading dailies of the city, to which he contributes regularly, and in which he has charge of The revolutionary governors of both Rio de the department of bibliography. Janeiro and Pernambuco are of the Cavalcante family, mighty men in business, journalism, pol- He has also had recent opportunities to touch itics and revolutionary reform. But the first Christian work outside of Mexico: in 1929, as Evangelical Christian in the great family was president of the Evangelical Congress of Havana; the little woman of large will and independence. in 1930, in the convention of the International Council of Religious Education in Toronto; in Brazil won from the Vatican the coveted gift 1932, as delegate to the Executive Committee of of South America's first cardinalate. And the the International Missionary Council in Herrn- first Brazilian chosen for the high distinction in hut, Germany; in the same year, as delegate to Church and State, Dom J oaquim Arcoverde, was the meeting of the World's Sunday School Associa- a near kinsman of the young Amelia. He won a tion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and in a visit to name for wisdom, moderation and tenacity in his. long career on Rome's behalf. When he died his. last will and testament was found to be a theo-
SOME TWICE-BORN LATIN AMERICANS
logical-civil document that, in some respects, was sonally for orphans, invalids and insane, and a transcript of his long and colorful experience. helped a variety of worthy causes. At last her There was enough theological error in it to sink frail body could no longer be driven by her iron a world in ruin, but mixed with it there was will while in utter cheerfulness she fought off enough saving faith to save a cardinal's soul. blindness. She was loved by her church and Here is the avowal of that faith: "I confess, from moved into some rear rooms of its building, where inmost conviction, that I cannot save myself by she held court for many grateful friends. Many mine own works; for this reason I do not put of these were prominent Roman Catholic women my trust in them, but only trust in the infinite of the city, who said: "We want to visit you and mercy of the Most Holy Heart of Jesus Christ minister to you but we will not enter a building and in the atonement by Him offered to his eter- of heretics." They finally persuaded her to let them rent her a convenient little home, and in nal Father for our sins." * that she lived her last year on earth and there died last fall. Whence came these reminiscences of Evangelical truth and vocabulary? Did the struggle in Even to the· last strong efforts were made to that notable Pernambuco family when the cardi- induce her to return to the Church of her fathers, nal was still a priest in North Brazil leave in his but bravely, calmly, sturdily she rejected them mind memories of the dialogues when a brave all, saying: "Nothing you own is any incentive. I young woman faced all dignitaries and their have everything in Christ and I am only waiting learning and stood loyally by her Lord? his call."
In Curityba, Brazil, ministering to its great *** foreign colonies and cultured Brazilian student class and all the people, is a radiant personality. A BRAZILIAN CHRISTIAN- A. B. Deter is the name. Away back in his THOMAZ L. COSTA youth this young enthusiast for Christ came north and preached his glorious Gospel of the happy O NE night, over forty years ago, a young God and it won all the young physician's heart man entered an humble room on the secand soul forever, and she gave herself utterly to ond floor of a house in Rio de Janeiro. King Jesus. There he heard, for the first time, the preaching of the Gospel. The preacher was Dr. W. B. The young woman, once won for Christ, became Bagby, now veteran missionary to Brazil. The a winner of souls. Her aged father became a be- next day the youth indignantly inquired of the liever. In her church, the First Baptist Church washerwoman who had urged him to go: of Recife (Pernambuco) there was a class of inquirers in the Sunday school where she was a "Why did you tell that preacher all about my constant witness to the Saviour and many were life and all the ugly things I ever did?" brought into the Christian life. To her amazed denial he said: She chose to minister to her own so neglected "But I know that preacher was talking straight sex in those days before the present remarkable to me, for he described all of my sinful life right development of Brazilian medicine and surgery there before everybody." had taken place. She helped bring into the world He accepted Christ as His Saviour, and since scores of children of missionaries and many of that day Thomaz L. Costa has humbly tried to the most eminent sons and daughters of Brazil, walk in the way of the Lord. and in all these kindly and aristocratic homes Dr. Bagby saw that he must have help for evanshe bore her radiant and assured witness to her gelistic work and so he gathered a group of the Lord. She was the physician of the college and young men into his home and taught them the seminary and Woman's Training School of her doctrines of the Bible and simple homiletics. In denomination during the woeful days of the that class were three young men who became "Spanish influenza" epidemic when all day long outstanding in the work of the Gospel in Brazil. the cobblestones rattled under the wheels of Dr. F. F. Soren, pastor for more than thirty years hearses and the city was one vast morgue. She of the First Baptist Church in Rio, was one of did not lose a student. Even to the last there them. Theodoro Teixeira, another of that group, were both men and women who sought her serv- is editor of the Brazilian Baptist Journal. He is ices, even after she became blind. Very slender deacon in that same church. The third was T. L. and sinewy, she went by day and by night, eating Costa, a clerk in a shoe store, who went to tropilittle, renewing her strength now and then with cal north Brazil, helping to develop churches a cup of hot water and a bit of sugar in it. wherever he went. Later he became proprietor of shoe stores in the city of Bahia and when Bra- Hers was a life of abounding charity. She zilian Baptists needed an executive secretary for educated youth, ministered to the poor, cared per- their Board of Foreign Missions-but without • "Sharing with Neighbor America," p. 56.
salary-To L. Costa was elected. The shoe busi- that they would go to the dedication since it ness grew and the foreign mission business grew would be something of an event in the town and to such an extent that Senhor Costa was unable he would get material for an editorial for his to attend to both. So he sold out the shoe busi- paper. He would also meet the minister whom ness, and gave all his time to foreign missions. he had known years before in the Evangelical In- His lovely Christian wife, Dona Sarah, is presi- stitute. dent of the Brazilian Baptista Women's Organization. Now, physically unable to continue as That night the truth went home to Orlando's executive secretary, Senhor Costa has been elected heart. Night after night he and his wife went president. together and when Sunday came Elza had per- mission to take the children to Sunday school. *** Orlando became an earnest inquirer, a diligent student of the Scriptures. His brilliant mind A TRANSFORMED LIFE delighted in the beauties of literature which he discovered in the Book, and its spiritual teach- By CLARA G. M. GAMMON, Brazil ings took root in his soul. Little by little he dropped his dissipated habits, as the Gospel truths Y OUNG Orlando was angry-violently angry. took possession of his life. There were times of His young wife, Elza, had again attended the doubt and indecision, and it was a year before detested Protestant meeting, and not only he yielded himself, heart and soul, to the Master. so but she had taken their little son to the Sunday But when he made the surrender it was uncondischool. Such a vulgar thing to do! The real tional, and he not only yielded himself but his elite would not be caught there. Again there was family and his business. A happy home, where a scene, and in his rage Orlando declared: "I'd love reigns, has grown out of one that had almost rather see you in your coffin than have you go to been wrecked. His newspaper has become an that Protestant meeting." His wife knew that he Evangelical organ, without lessening its service meant it! to the public and in every issue an article appears on some practical religious subject written by Elza's father had been converted to the Evan- himself or by an outstanding minister or Chrisgelical faith while she was still a little girl, and tian layman. When he was ready to make his had brought his family into that church. Both public profession of faith in Christ he announced Elza and Orlando had studied in the Evangelical it in his paper, inviting his friends and business Institute and she had taught in the girls' school acquaintances and the public to attend the service before her marriage. But she was young and gay, and hear the Gospel preached. It was a bitter and the attractions of the world had a greater experience for his mother, who felt that Orlando hold on her than the things of Christ, so she felt had betrayed all the family traditions. She went very happy in making this brilliant marriage. so far as to say that she would rather see him Orlando was rich, aristocratic and intellectual, wild and dissipated, as he had formerly been, though dissipated. Later she saw him in times of terrible testing and admitted that there was power in his faith When Elza found herself deprived of the re- in Christ which she had never found in her religious privileges which she had taken as a mat- ligion, and that he had a peace which she yearned ter of course, they became more precious to her; to enjoy. she longed to enjoy the services and to bring up her little son in the faith she now had to hide in Elza is today a happy wife and mother, and in her heart. her face one reads peace and joy as she leads the children week after week to the Father's House. Years passed, with their joys and sorrows. Orlando is not merely a church member, but is a Other children came, and Elza longed to take them true Christian, showing power in his life as a to Sunday school as she saw other mothers taking worker in the Sunday school, an officer in the their little ones. Now and then she would slip church, a tither, and an example of the transoff with them, hoping that Orlando would not find forming power of Christ. it out. He had become a leading citizen and business man in the town to which they had moved, God of our life! Thy lovingkindness is new the owner and editor of the local newspaper. every morning and thy faithfulness keepeth watch Family pride and religious prejudice, to say noth- every night. Our hearts, 0 Lord, would rise to ing of his position as man of affairs, would not meet thee when thou wakenest us to the service of permit him to yield to Elza's desire. thy will; and sink in trust before thee when thou leavest us only the shelter of thy rest.-James In course of time a beautiful new Protestant Martineau. church was built to supplant the meeting hall in a rented house. A minister from the capital city, who had been a school acquaintance of Orlando's, was coming to preach the dedication sermon and to hold services for a week. Orlando promised
Ways of
'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO i~"=1============================================~ GLEANINGS FROM SUM- studying "Women Under the with pictures and materials MER CONFERENCES Southern Cross" are: characteristic of the countries.
The increasing prominence of 1. A Good Will Tour (price If the meetings have to be held missionary education in the pro- 20 cents) which, under the fig- in the social hall of the church, gram of the local church was ure of an imaginary trip over noticeable as the Department good roads and bad, takes those booths may be used to represent Editor sat in the conferences of with adequate imagination "On various denominations last sum- the Highway through Mexico," the countries, and at the June mer; and with few exceptions "On the Approach to South meeting all countries may be the plans of one denominational America," "Through Colombia," group would fit equally well into "Through Peru," "In Camp at represented in a South Amerothers, with slight adaptations Lake Titicaca and on a Journey ican bazaar. as to minor objectives and spe- through Bolivia," "Through Urcifics. This is as it should be in uguay, Paraguay and Brazil," 2. Scrapbooks as a project. a neighborly Christian Church "Northward Bound, through "Scrapbooks of both North and whose families are on good Venezuela," on a "Home Comenough terms to lean over the ing" journey, at a June picnic South American life would give low doctrinal fences and discuss exhibiting trophies and select- the recipient a much better idea their common tasks and prob- ing the best diary kept through lems. Where outstanding pro- of the sister continent." An exgram outlines and activating the tour, and at an International change at Christmas time (almaterials are mentioned here, Citizenship meeting with a protheir prices are also given with gram on "The Good Will lowing ample time for transit) a view to furthering a Methods Bridge." Exchange among all Evangelical would afford material for use in denominations. The Depart- Supplies necessary for the schools. By marking the bunment plays no favorites. Any journey, with their counterparts groups not finding their litera- in items each society needs for dles "scrapbooks for school use" ture featured here are invited to a successful year are: Gas-En- (including old postcards, it may furnish samples for considera- ergy; Oil-Enthusiasm; Toolstion. This some have failed to Literature Budget, Goal Chart, be) they will not be counted do. Plan Book, etc.; Tickets-Dues Receipt Card; Schedule-Pro- dutiable. Oversight will be nec- All America for Christ gram Outline; Passport-Devo- tions Book; Diary-Scrapbook; essary in the use of suitable ma- "America, Both North and Kodak-An Inquiring Mind and terial in these books. Best South" is a taking theme song Its Pictures. The organization improvised by the Methodist includes a guide (counselor), movies, home life, school and Episcopal women for their driver (president), chief me- church life are among the most young people's department, the chanic (program chairman), adaptation being made by sub- hostess (meeting hostess), busi- desirable topics. stituting in "America the Beau- ness manager (treasurer) and a 3. An international tea, invittiful" the above words for the recorder (secretary). The difrepetitious phrase, "America, ferent homes in the membership ing each person to come dressed America," in the third line of to be used as meeting places may to represent some foreign couneach stanza. It furnishes emo- be named after the countries to tional stimulus for the under- be considered; or where more try, as well as to give a fact lying idea of the foreign mission than one country is to be visited, studies of the year. Among the the progressive party plan may about the country. The hostess specific plans for young people meeting guests at the door gives be used with a talk from the each a tiny flag of some country, guide on each location. Rooms are supposed to be decorated the one. receiving the flag being [495 ] expected to name the country later in the meeting. Many other clever devices such as this are suggested through the out- line, such as a "good will party,"
a play called "The Clarin," etc. 4. "What to Serve"-a fif- teen-page booklet describing specific South American foods and ways of serving them (price 5 cents).
5. "Pattern Sheets" of all the flags, characteristic flowers, cof- fee plant, humming bird, parrot, butterfly, banana tree, bag,
apron, mate cup, etc. Full di- cessful only in countries that have Associate Helpers' Department rections for making and color- passed through a deep religious exing are given. (Price 10 cents.) perience? Mrs. J. M. McEvoy, secretary of the Associate Helpers' De- 6. "Neighbors," a devotional Would the U. S. be justified in partment in the Woman's Misbooklet with outline for each making a protest against Mexico's sionary Society of the United month of the year. (Price 15 attitude toward organized Christian- Church of Canada, sends a decents.) Orders may be sent to ity? scription of the important work Woman's Foreign Missionary undertaken among shut-ins, Society, Methodist Episcopal Worship Service: The call to social women with small children or Church, Boston, Mass. justice. Amos 5: 10-15. Hymn, household responsibilities, busi- "When Wilt Thou Save the People, ness women, those living out of "That Other America" Lord?" reach of a local auxiliary or for any other reason unable to at- Mrs. Garret Hondelink, who The booklet of outlines sells for 10 cents tend regular meetings at the taught this study book at the plus six cents for postage. Address Mrs. church. Her leaflet statement Interdenominational School of Hond"lInk at 417 Alexander St., Rochester, says in part (adapted for brev- Missions at Lake Geneva, Wis- i'i. Y. ity) : consin, in a Leadership Training Class, and later at a conference Helpful Books These women should be listed as a of the Reformed Church of distinct group of Auxiliary interest America, at Holland, Michigan, In addition to "That Other known as Associate Helpers, with a has a few of her mimeographed America," by John A. Mackay, secretary who forms the connecting outlines left which will material- and "Women Under the South- link between them and the Auxiliary, ly aid not only in church schools ern Cross," by Margaret Ross and as many additional visitors as of missions but also in building Miller, the following will fur- needed. The secretary must be wellprograms in various church nish good reading and reference informed, a woman of prayer, willing groups. Her lessons not only material: "Makers of South to pray with and for others; a wombring out the aims and high America," by Margaretta Dan- an of tact and unfailing sympathy, lights, analyze the subject mat- iels; "Land of Women," by Kath- zealous in finding new ways to interter and suggest the best ways of erine von Dombrowsky; "Simon est women who lack the inspiration presenting it, but suggest proj- Bolivar, South American Liber- of fellowship to be enjoyed in gatherect work, map building, illustra- ator," by H. Angell; "Incredible ings of church women. tive material, discussion ques- Pizarro," by F. Shay; "The Othtions, debates, plays, devices, er Spanish Christ," by Mackay; The secretary keeps an up-to-date impersonations, cartoons, book "The Invisible Christ," by Ri- list, writing an introductory letter to reviews, round table discussions cardo Rojas; "Fire on the An- new prospects explaining the plan and worship services. A sam- des," by Carlton Beals, and "The and promising to call at an early date. ple lesson is as follows: Economic Geography of South This letter may be followed by others America," by Whitbeck, to be telling of an approaching season of CHAPTER III-SMOKING CRATERS found in public libraries. The mission study or of prayer, or of an Pan American Union, Washing- Auxiliary special event, thankoffering Aim: To come to an understanding ton, D. C., has many pamphlet meeting, etc. Copies of "A Guide to of the causes and methods of the publications of interest at nomi- Prayer," program folders or other frequent revolutions in Latin Amer- nal prices, these giving the schedules of study, special leaflets, ica and to consider a very significant greatest variety of information etc., are furnished from time to time. Youth Revolution Movement. all the way from geographical, Mission study books or other mate- historical and biographical trea- rial from the Circulating Library if Devices: A meeting open to the tises to articles on the varied there is one may be used to great adpublic with prominent speakers to productions of the countries, in- vantage. Some secretaries adopt the discuss revolutions in South America clusive of "yerba mate," the na- Circulating Leaflet Library plan for and Mexico. . . . Discussions from tive tea. this purpose. Special prayer lists of the floor on "Is the United States definite needs are mailed from time likely to run into revolution because Mate to time. The regular devotional studof social conditions here?" Closing ies engaged in by the Auxiliary may address on America's need for a spir- This Paraguay tea, the popu- also be taken to the department memitual revolution. lar drink of South Americans, bership. is a variety of holly whose infu- Additional Topics: What your de- sion is quite similar to our own Often members may be interested nomination is doing in Mexico; An- tea, though slightly bitter. It is in doing handwork such as sewing, cient Indian civilizations–Aztec, In- counted nourishing as well as quilting, making hospital garments or ca, Mayan; Indians of Latin Amer- refreshing. Many program mak- those for local charity, materials beica; Diego Rivera, and his mural ers will want to provide for ing supplied. Favors or delicacies paintings. serving this beverage at the from a social affair at the church, meetings. an outing in an automobile or the Book Review or Reading from offer of companionship for an after- "Lupita." It may be obtained from high grade noon or evening when the shut-in city groceries dealing in delicacies, would be alone, as well as special Play, "Monica" (Lydia GIover)- or ordered from Mrs. E. C. Krug, friendships and little attentions of a Methodist Book Concern. 2227 St. Paul St., Baltimore, Md., at personal nature are appreciat~d. 40 cents a quarter pound, 60 cents a Members of the mission circle or affil- Discussion Questions: Why were half pound, or a dollar a pound. It iated groups may 'cooperat~ by keeppast revolutions in Latin America is brewed in the usual fashion and ing babies or young children of a different from those in Mexico today? served with lemon or sugar. mother who wishes to come to the Auxiliary meeting for a special occa- Do vou agree with the Argentine sion. writer, Navarro Monza (p. 78) that democratic governments can be suc- Wherever this. work has been un- dertaken and faithfully carried on the
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
results have been wonderful. Its American mate mentioned in More Plans for Young People pledge card makes three requests of this year's studies while giving the signatory: To pray definitely for An attractive packet of plans the work, to contribute systematically an attractive digest of the pro- and activating material for by envelope or mite box, and to make gram matter. Holiday calls may young people taking up "Chrisherself conversant with the work by be capitalized in describing the tian Youth Building a New subscribing to and reading the Mw- WorId" has been brought out by sionary Monthly. denominational missionary fea- the Disciples denomination and tures con n e c ted therewith. may be had for 50 cents at their Mrs. McEvoy asks what simi- Pledging and prayer for mis- literature department in Mislar plans are in use in the Unit- sions Building, 222 Downey ed States. A variety have been sions become a natural sequen,ce Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. It inreported from different denomi- cludes panel discussions, dramatnations but none more compre- of such endeavor. Where the ic sketches, exercises, devotional hensive nor thoroughgoing than group plan of subdividing the leaflets, stories, conversations, the foregoing. Most women's patterns for decorations and famissionary organizations have church membership is not in use, vors, etc. their membership divided into this gracious ministry in the "circles" or "groups" numbered homes may be directed by a com- Excerpts from Mrs. B. P. or named specifically, for sys- mittee operating under the Heubner's course on "Christian tematic work and study, one of youth in Action," will appear these groups being "the evening church missionary committee. next month. circle" composed of business Still another well attested method is to pair off each shut- in or nonprivileged person with some active member pledged to do the relay work and become a women who can hold their de- living link with the mission votional, study and work meet- fields by way of the local church. From the Editor's Scrapbook ings outside of business hours It would be hard to determine The Life Tie: Have you ever tried and maintain a close connection which of two thus related se- a simple test. to see what your mem- with the main organization. cures the greater benefit. bers have learned? Have you ever This takes care of one nonpriv- reviewed a year's course to check up ileged element. An Evening Extension on the missionary intelligence of your members? The influence of attend- In many churches using the A good method for lining up ance at meetings is determined not every-member canvass plan for those engaged during the day, alone by what a member has learned comprehensive financing, the inclusive of the men folk, was but by what the person does. It is woman's organization has no sent in by Rev. David McCul- tying up with life that counts. Are membership dues or pledges but lough Beggs, pastor of the First attitudes changed? Are relationships automatically counts every wom- Congregational Church of Ana- better? Are church loyalties less an entering the church as a mosa, Iowa. He writes: wavering? Is there more kindness to member of the woman's society, the Oriental delivering groceries at to be rounded up and put to Several years ago the president of the door? More participation in comwork by the membership com- our missionary society conceived the munity projects for Christian admittee if possible. Thus the idea that it would be nice to have vancement? Have standards of stewsubdivision into circles includes some of the men of the church at- ardship been raised? Is there more the names of invalids, the aged tend the meeting occasionally, so she reading of missionary books and magand those shut in or out for any planned to have it at her home in azines? Better citizenship and better other reason, and the plans for the evening and all members were Christianity because of missionary rethe personnel of each circle cov- to invite their husbands and as many lationships? Tying up missions with er not only the benevolent sew- other men as might be interested. The everyday living is finally the real test ing and White Cross work, the meeting was a huge success. The of the effectiveness of our efforts. women had a regular missionary les- (Adapted from Mwsions.) son; and after some discussion lunch was served and the rest of the time Remembrance Gifts: A spe- cial card is used by the Wom- was spent playing games. calling and community service One evening we invited the Meth- an's Foreign Mission Society of under the direction of the par- the Methodist Episcopal Church ent society, but also the task of odist pastor to come and review a for use among people who, withkeeping in touch with all of its book which he had presented at a out having made a will, would union Sunday evening service. An- members unable to attend the other time I reviewed "Re-Thinking like at their death to furnish exmeetings. It thus becomes a Missions." We always planned for a pression of their missionary indefinite service to visit the shut- social time and light refreshments. terest by leaving a bequest, ins on the circle roll, furnish This plan has proved very popular large or small. "By filling this and lately some of the men have been them with missionary literature asking when we are to have our next card, the donor asks that at her and magazines, keep them in- missionary meeting. death her family pay the sum formed of activities and give How about using the forego- indicated to the treasurer of the them an allotment of sewing if ing plan for a monthly interde- W. F. M. S. One-half of the they are able to use their hands. nominational gathering in the card is to be filed with one's per- Special features of the parent social hall of one and another of sonal papers. The other half is organization are relayed to the the cooperating churches, ma- to be sent to the general treashome-bound from time to time, joring on Kingdom advances urer. Remembrance Gifts are for instance, holding little "aft- rather than denominational spe- wholly optional and not legally ernoon teas" using the South cifics? binding." BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~~~~I~~~======~==~~~==~==~ Adoration of Jesus Christ We thank Thee that those who dwell the way for the young people of in Thee By A YOUNG MAN all denominations to participate. Maintain the divine faculty of youth Organization is secondary and I never cared, to see the best in men, program for action is primary in I never dared the movement. Committees exist To spend a whole night in prayer- To pierce through the outward layers to plan for advance together, He did. of weakness and sin young and old, in "seeking first To the pure gold of true manhood within.
I never tried, We thank Thee that they keep the the Kingdom of God and his I never cried, hopefulness of youth, righteousness." "God forgive them, they do not know." He did. Its resiliency of spirit, If you wish to participate in Its unconquerable optimism, I never fasted, Which rises again undismayed from this Christian Movement among I never wrestled the you n g p e 0 pIe of our Hours with temptation, all alone, disaster and defeat. Amen. He did. -John S. Hoyland. churches, send now to the Inter- national Council of Religious A Message to the Reader Education, 203 North Wabash I never thought, In 1930, the Christian Youth Avenue, Chicago, for "General I never taught Council of North America held Guide to Youth Action" (25 God's hungry children how to live. its first meeting in Toronto, cents), "Group Action in Build- He did. Canada. The members of the Council thought of the Christian ing a New World" (15 cents) ; I never prayed, way of life, as some of them "Youth Action in Personal Re- I never stayed phrased it, as a trail that led ligious Living" (15 cents); To hear my God speak clear to me. "from a wooden cross on Cal- "Youth Action in Breaking He did. vary among the hills of Jeru- Down Barriers" (15 cents), and salem down across the burning "Youth Action in Building a -Russell Dicks. sands and des e r t s of the Warless World" (15 cents). The world." … pamphlets were prepared by Blessed ar*e t*he* young who, church leaders of young people. In 1934, the Christian Youth seeing the Lord and giver of Council of North America met Furthermore, the Council or Life, follow Him and live among again at Lake Geneva, Wisconthe sons of men "with eternity sin. The young people and their Women for Home Missions and in their hearts." Each passing leaders took up that trail again, the Missionary Education Movemoment is spent as if they lived they looked about them, studied ment were fortunate to secure as forever, and they know that all their own hearts, turned their the author of the young people's the sons of God could likewise eyes toward the future, and study book for the year, Frank live in the Presence of Him talked about "Christian Youth W. Herriott, formerly a pastor "whose service is perfect free- Building a New World." and now a member of the facdom." Each has his place in ulty at Union Theological Semmaking real the Father's will on The Home Missions Councils inary, New York. The book, earth as in heaven. Each seeks now have three representatives "Christian Youth in Action" to grow up into the likeness of -Miss Edith E. Lowry, Mr. (60 cents) gives the answer to Jesus Christ, Saviour of men. the perplexing question, "What can Christian youth actually do This is the more abundant life.
Thanks for the Perpetual Fred R. Thorne, and Miss Sue to help build a Christian Amer- Weddell-on the Joint Commit- Youth of Those Who tee on United Youth Program ica ?" Examples of scores of Abide in God things that young people have and have through them, assumed Lord, responsibility to acquaint the done in various parts of the We thank Thee that with Thee there is country are here collected. I,n adult membership of constituent no growing old: Home Mission Boards with the the "Guide to Action, What Will That those who abide in Thee keep You Do About It?" (25 cents), their youth perpetually: purpose and program of the prepared by Frank W. Herriott Though their bodies grow aged, yet movement, Christian You t h and Sue Weddell, leaders of Building a New World; and at young people will find practical are their spirits ever radiant the same time, we hope to open suggestions for activities, with With the zeal, the enthusiasm, the glowing ideals of youth.
[498 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
definite plans of procedure, out- meet with them as an advisory responsibility to be the superinlines for reports, and services of member. We planned the pro- tendent of an Intermediate C. E.
worship. Please order both gram as a community church Society in the United Brethren "Christian Youth in Action" and group, yet we saw that even the Church for the past three years "What Will You Do About It?" smallest church had some re- and it has been a great joy to me from denominational literature sponsibility. Because of school to watch young lives unfold and headquarters. And before turn- it needed to be an evening meet- grow in the Christian faith.
ing the page, please decide what ing. The school had already "Just now I am considering you can do to help in building a planned for a meeting of general the possibility of uniting in the Christian America. interest on March 8th, but the study of the book, 'Christian In Clay City, Indiana school principal was willing to Youth in Action.' " cooperate and not allow any- A Service of Worship for The following account of co- thing to interfere with Thurs- Youth for the observance of the operation by leaders and young day evening, March 7th. Thus next World Day of Prayer, Febpeople of a little town was writ- we were observing it perhaps at ruary 28, 1936, is ready for disten by Mrs. Jesse Schauwecker the same hour when many in the tribution. It was prepared this at the request of the Editor. Far East and the Islands of the year by Miss O. Mary HilI, M.A., Mrs. Schauwecker attended the western Pacific were turning at the request of the Inter-Board aside for prayer. Winona Lake Summer School of "The father of our leader, be- Committee of the Woman's Mis- Missions this June in order to sionary Societies of Canada.* secure inspiration and new ma- ing somewhat of an art i s t An increasing number of young painted a beautiful poster with people around the world join in terial for her home place: "During a revival meeting the words of 'A New Command- the observance of the Day, prayheld at the United Brethren ment.' This was displayed dur- ing "that the world may be Church last winter the Christian ing the entire service which was guided into the paths of peace." young p e 0 pIe of the town attended by ninety-two people, Could You Do This in Your worked together to bring their for the most part between the Town? friends to Christ wit h 0 u t ages of thirteen and twenty-five, thought of denomination. About with the pastors and a few A Peace Demonstration was this time I noticed that there was young peoples' leaders to en- held at Northfield Missionary a special young peoples' program courage. The entire program Conference. Briefly, there were prepared for the World Day of was in the hands of the young units which in order told their Prayer, and thought it would be people themselves. An offering story-such units as "Peace on splendid if the young people of three dollars was received and earth will come to men of goodwould unite in observing this sent in to be divided between the will"; "Peace in Pennsylvania day. I mentioned it to a few of foreign and home m iss ion for 70 years while other colonies the young people and their lead- boards. were fighting Indians"-"The ers and it met with their ap- "This was in Clay City, In- Quakers and Indians tried the proval. diana, a little town of about one goodwill way. (Quakers and In- "It happened that there was to thousand population, h a v i n g dians in costume.)" There was be a meeting on Sunday after- seven churches. Six churches a unit on "The WorId Today" in noon with the State W. C. T. U. cooperated in a splendid man- which Goodwill was bound with president as speaker. So I sent ner. The denominations were: black cords held by Evil, Fear, an announcement to each church Church of the Brethren, Free Greed, Hate, and Love stands on that Sunday morning request- Methodist, U nit e d Brethren, ready to cut the cords. Another. ing the young people, especially Methodist Episcopal, Assembly unit was a ship, "Friendship," the presidents of all interme- of God, and Presbyterian. These with nationals of other lands. diate and young peoples' organ- churches serve not only the little One unit Flanders Field and a izations in the churches to meet town but reach out in a radius gold star mother, and another, one half hour before the after- of five or six miles into the children bearing burdens of war, noon service. About twenty-five country. debts, disease, suffering were or thirty came; I briefly ex- "The meeting was held in the very effective. plained the WorId Day of Prayer Church of the Brethren with a The demonstration was preand they were heartily in favor Presbyterian young man as pared and directed at Northfield, of observing it. A leader was leader and a United Brethren Mass., by Mrs. J. H. Callister. selected (by the young people pianist and chorister. The rest There were 22 units and more themselves) . The presidents of of the program was similarly than a thousand persons particiall the young people's organiza- distributed. I believe that the pated. The material is adaptable tions (Christian Endeavor so- observance of this day among to indoor demonstrations. If incieties and young women's mis- our young people will do much to terested address the Editor.
sionary organizations) were to strengthen the spirit of love be- • The Women's Missionary Society of the act as a committee to assist the tween the denominations of to- Presbyterian Church In Canada, the Eastern leader in planning and prepar- morrow. Division of the Presbyterian Church, and of the United Church in Canada, are constituent members of the Council of Women for Home ing the program. I was asked to "It has been my privilege and Missions.
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LATIN AMERICA revered saint-a festival of fire- ways been aggressively evangel- Opening Doors in Mexico works, wine and dancing-today istic and missionary. -Presbyterian Banner. have been consecrated to a high- A Baptist medical missionary er life, to the improvement of Projects for Mexico in Mexico, Dr. O. G. Walters, homes and the building of writes: "One year ago I did not schools. The workers in Latin Amerdare to talk of Christ or try to ica are not disheartened. The give a Christian message be- "As Christians, we Evangeli- Presbyterian Mission in Mexico cause it would bring enemies cals believe that chaos will not has sent to the Board a list of and thus eliminate my opportu- last long. We believe that the projects which can be carried on nity to win them later. I was ignorance, the superstition, the in full compliance with the law. compelled to concentrate on stupor and abjection of our peo- They write: "Weare convinced making friends and wait for ple will not end in violence, but that from now on we must de- God to open the door for more in the establishment of a higher pend upon personal seeking of definite work for Him. It is and more spiritual type of re- souls for Christ, and upon perdifficult to give a word picture ligion. We do not believe that sonal dealing with Christians to of the change that has come our country will turn to cold strengthen and build them up, about in so short a time. The materialism; the Latin race has more than upon institutions or door is open and the real prob- a passionate soul." special plans of work. Our inlem is to enter with sufficient stitutions have a rather uncertact that Christ may be present- – World Outlook. tain existence at present, but the ed and antagonism avoided. I opportunity for personal evanhave been asked to start a Bible Puerto Rican Missionaries gelism and personal comradeclass for women, and the men ship is greater than ever. We are asking for a colporteur to The Presbyterian Mission in need to search for new ways of start a Bible class for them. I Puerto Rico is now planning to making contacts, and then make can talk freely of the love of carry the Gospel in Spanish to these truly effective in clinching Christ to any who come to my the Puerto Ricans who have col- souls for the Saviour." office. One or two children rep- onized in the Virgin Islands. resent the attitude of the ene- Whether this plan will be car- -Presbyterian Banner. mies by throwing stones in the ried out will have to be deterwaiting room as they pass, but mined by the financial outlook Evangelical Seminary of otherwise enmity is not ex- of the year, but in the meantime Puerto Rico pressed." representatives of the presby- tery have visited the island of The Evangelical Seminary of – Watchman-Examiner. Santa Cruz, have preached Puerto Rico is an interdenomi- there, and discovered that there national institution founded in Better Days Prophesied are 150 church members in the 1919 by the merging of four colony of several thousand. The training schools and by combin- Samuel Rocha, pastor of a request for this extension into ing the forces of seven denomichurch in Aguascalientes, Mex- the Virgin Islands is accompa- nations: Baptist, Christian, ico, sees better days ahead, "a nied by the interesting note that Congregational, Disciples of spiritual renaissance." He re- centuries ago the warlike Caribs Christ, Methodist, Presbyterian minds us that "the present rev- came from the islands of Santa and United Brethren. It is loolutionary movement in Mexico Cruz to Puerto Rico to destroy cated in Rio Piedras. Gradu- arises out of the restlessness the peace-loving Borinquenses ates of the seminary number which the Gospel message stirs who were residents of this is- 100 at work in Puerto Rico; up in the heart of man, and out land. The modern inhabitants seven in Cuba, five in the Do- of man's dissatisfaction with of Borinquen feel that it would minican Republic, five in Vene- himself as he contemplates his be a fine Christian service to go zuela, and five in the United lack of progress, and his inabil- back to Santa Cruz with the States. ity to face life. It is social as Gospel of peace. It was the There are in Puerto Rico 276 well as individual. Towns where Puerto Rican Church that was regularly organized Evangelical formerly the earnings of a year responsible for the opening of churches. These churches have were thrown away in one re- the work in Santo Domingo a 24,000 members, 559 church ligious festival in honor of some number of years ago. It has al- schools with an enrolment of [500 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
45,000, 126 young people's so- and safe for progress. The swer to prayer several native cieties, 144 other societies, twen- thinking public is gradually get- young men had come asking, ty-two schools, including kinder- ting wise to the fact that the "May we go out to the other vilgartens, graded schools, two preacher'S method doesn't cost a lages of our people to preach?" high schools, one college, one tithe of the cost of the other. More horses were bought and theological seminary, and three several groups went out as hospitals which have about 200 -Guatemala News. preachers and personal workers. beds, and care for 70,000 pa- One group went to Cachoeirinha. tients yearly. Of the 251 preach- Cheer for Chile The meeting was in the main ers, more than 9370 are native street of the village, and as the Puerto Ricans. Not only has the Alessandri young Indian believers spoke of administration in the "shoe- "sin, of righteousness and of -Christian Advocate. string republic" set up limits be- judgment to come" there was yond which money-lending rates conviction, and at the close six Progress in Honduras may not go, closed beer and persons accepted Christ. They liquor shops for week-ends, pro- went on to another Indian vil- The Evangelical Women's hibited dog racing, suppressed lage. Here the chief flatly re- Union sponsored a project dur- gambling resorts, forbidden fused to let them speak to the ing 1934 to provide for the public officials to frequent races people. They then asked if they training of national workers in and casino dens, but it has fallen might sing a hymn. This was Honduras, including provisions in with certain admirable plans granted, and after the singing for training evangelists and advanced by the new parents' the old man relented and told nurses. The school for evangel- association. It has urged movie them they could have a meeting. ists was opened in 1934, and reform, and the municipality of At this service two of the old nurses' training began last Santiago, as a result has prohib- chief's daughters rose to their spring. Four or five girls en- ited the attendance of children feet in profession of faith in the tered the classes. under seven, and forbidden the Lord as Saviour. attendance of children under Work among Indians in Hon- fourteen at all night perform- Several Indian believers from duras is steadily growing. About ances. Burity have gone out from time 12 adults are in the baptism to time to work on the ranches class in Puerto Cortez. A Sun- -The Christian Advocate. round about. They sing hymns day school was organized there in the evening, and often preach in January, with 58 in attend- Educational Need in Brazil or explain the Gospel, according ance the opening day. Sunday to the occasion. school is at 6 p. m. A Spanish Considering the increased attranslation of the Gospel is tention being given to education -The Amazon Valley Indian. available for the blind in Hon- in Brazil, Dr. H. C. Tucker, of duras. Rio de Janeiro, believes that the "Enduring Hardness" support, for at least a period of -Moravian Missionary. five years, of a specially-trained Rev. Harold H. Cook portrays and fully-equipped Christian the life of an itinerant mission- Results in Guatemala teacher for the new School of ary in Brazil's interior. "The Education at Granbery College walls of the house where I am The Evangelistic Committee is of tremendous importance. writing are of rough, unplaned of the Central Presbytery or- boards, not placed close togethganized a ten-day conference in The present is a time of transition er. The roof is of wooden slats a little mountain town called "EI in the intellectual, moral, economic which do not always keep out Jute." The general theme was, and political life of the nation. The the rain. At the end of the larg- "The Victories of Christianity." united voice of Brazil is calling loud- est room there is one small win- The successful development and ly for adequately-trained leadership dow, without glass. There is no application of the theme is evi- in every department of national life. furniture of any kind except a denced by the results: 18 joined Public men, educators and others of table of three planks on trestles. the church, 6 were baptized, 32 patriotic mind are coming to realize Seating accommodation consists bitter enemies were reconciled the need for Schools of Education of loose planks placed on blocks by the gospel method in that re- with special courses. Protestant mis- of wood. Dogs, pigs and chickgion where the usual method of sion schools have made the largest ens wander in and out of the ending a quarrel is with a revol- contribution to the cause of education house. ver or machete and a funeral, in this country that has come from and then 48 brethren sat down any single source, according to the "The visit of a preacher in peace and unity at the Lord's testimony of competent Brazilians. brings folk from far and wide, table. No wonder the dailies are so that this and the other two praising the evangelicos as a su- Mission schools themselves are al- near-by houses are full to overperior moralizing force. A good ways sorely in need of well-prepared flowing. At night the people live preacher is worth a whole Christian teachers for their own stretch out on skins or mats, squad of police with their jails work; they are looking to Granbery each rolled in his own rug. and "pens" thrown in for mak- College and other schools to train and Many do not undress even when ing the country happy, peaceful equip the teachers needed in increas- ing number.
– World Outlook..
Amazon Valley Conversions A worker among the Amazon Valley Indians writes that in an-
at home, much less when on a The Gospel in Spain and $4,000 from mission socie- picnic like this. The most they Present conditions in Spain ties to about $40,000 from the do is to take off their boots-if make the presentation of the government and $20,000 from they have any! mission societies. Dr. Helser Gospel very difficult. The Con- sees the Mission's place as a "I am writing in the 'month very distinct·one (he calls it the of Mary' in this country. It is servatives (Clerical Party), ac- keystone) between the governdedicated entirely to the wor- cording to The Latin American ments on one side and the deship of the Mother of Jesus, and Evangelist, are busy with their nominational missions on the on the last day of the month propaganda without let or hin- other-to plan, unite, inspire, there will be a procession and encourage. He sees the ideal the crowning of the image of drance. They believe the time type of institution as a farm col- Mary as 'Queen of Heaven.' In ony, supported by a government Brazil no such homage is paid to is near when the ministers of and staffed by a mission society. our glorious risen Lord; but the Republic will be turned out once a year, at Easter, there is -Without the Camp. the sad and sorrowful celebra- and they themselves take the tion of a crucified and dead Sav- reins of power. If they do, they Open Minds in Sudan iour." will change the articles of the A marked change in the atti- EUROPE Constitution dealing with the re- tude of the people of Omdur- man, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, to- Disciples' World Convention ligious question. Meanwhile the ward Christianity is recorded by Roman Catholic clergy have re- a C. M. S. missionary. A grow- Delegates from 42 countries ing interest and readiness to assembled in Leicester, England, ceived large sums from the gov- August 7-12, for the second ernment; the Jesuits preach wherever they want to; the priests are openly defiant and are turning their pulpits into political platforms.
World Convention of the Disci- Scandinavian Missions listen to teaching concerning ples of Christ. America had Christ has been evidenced by the the largest organized delega- At the convention of represen- large attendance at a series of tion, numbering over 500. The weekly addresses. The speakers convention program considered tatives of these Protestant mis- included an Armenian, an Amer- sions during the summer, the ican, an Egyptian, an Englishmany international problems, following figures were reported: man and a Sudanese. A similar welcome to simple Christian such as world peace, race rela- Missionaries: Denmark, 240; Nor- teaching is found in the hospital tions, the economic situation and way, 400; Sweden, 700. important subjects that greatly Income (Crowns): Denmark, 1,- concern the Church, such as re- 750,000; Norway, 3,000,000; Sweden, wards, and in many homes to 4,250,000. which missionaries are invited. ligious education, stewardship, Not a few, however, draw back evangelism and missions. Baptized (1930): Denmark, 1,900; from further instruction when Norway, 11,000; Sweden, 6,000. -The Presbyterian Banner. Native Christians: Denmark, 29,- Forty Societies Confer 00; Norway, 156,000; Sweden, 85,000. they realize what would be in- volved in open confession of The annual parliament of AFRICA Christ. British missionary societies at Swanwick recalled that this con- Appraisal of Leper Work The missionary states: "The ference owed its origin to the Edinburgh Conference of 1910, Dr. A. D. Helser, lately ap- long years of patient, loving, so that it could also celebrate its pointed representative of the silver jubilee. Three matters American Mission to Lepers for tactful and sometimes apparentwere before the representatives West Africa, has just traveled of the 40 societies: "The rising 3,000 miles in Nigeria inter- ly profitless work of our predetide of neo-paganism at home viewing missionaries, governand abroad, the increasing evan- ment doctors and officials, and cessors, and the more senior of gelistic activity both in the mis- counts on covering 1,500 miles sion field and in the home more. The missionaries of the the missionaries here today, churches, and finally the need Belgian Congo are inviting him for a new effort on a world scale to tour their country also. He seems about to bear fruit. Opto present Christ to men." In writes with intense enthusiasm of what he feels is about to be position to our work has almost gone. Interest is apparent on every hand. Deep struggle and souI-searchings are going on in the hearts of some, perhaps in the hearts of more than we re-· alize." -The Christian.
such discussions there was al- done for the 200,000 lepers of Revival in Congo ways present the thought that Nigeria. The number under the younger churches of the mis- treatment, though small in com- The Swedish Baptist Missio11' sion field must cooperate with parison with the total, has risen in the Congo has an inland' field,.
the older churches of the West from 1,000 in 1931 to probably in the district of Lac Leopold IL in a great united effort. To at- 5,000 in 1935. In the same time Work began here in 1919;- tliere'
tain that objective a meeting in the amounts of money invested are now four stations: Rev. the Far East was proposed. in leper work have risen from Aron Anderson, who has' cliarge -The Christian Century. $10,000 from the government of both medical and evangelistic
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
work, tells of victories won for Kanyeba came one day with all her pIe, and has opened a new sta- Christ last year. tion at Mindolo. Work has been charms and filthy medicine and said, opened at three centers. Mr. When heathenism was at its dark- Moore is gathering the Chrisest, and no great difference in be- "I have accepted Christ as my Lord, tians into church groups, organhaviour between pagans and Chris- izing classes, welfare work, tians was observable, revival began and here are my medicines to prove schools for the children in the suddenly. It was like Pentecost. Two villages, and evangelistic work natives became greatly exercised it." Through this conversion many in the native locations outside about their souls, and after a few the mine areas. He has the help days the fire spread among all our others have destroyed their fetishes, of several African workers. Christians. Men and women met God in a new way to receive blessing. The and are becoming interested in the -The Chronicle. Holy Spirit revealed their lives to them; they saw themselves in that power that has made this diviner a Native Policy in Union of S. A. light and fell down before God, plead- new creature. . ing for pardon and grace. It was Igor L. Evans has made a almost impossbile to comfort them. Last Link with Livingstone study of native policy in the We asked them to confess their sins, Union of South Africa, and preand they did so, openly. They brought From Mombasa. comes news sents the results in a book under their idols and heathen medicine to of the death of Matthew Wel- that title. Different policies us, and they themselves destroyed lington, probably the last living were followed in the four areas great quantities. Whole villages were link with the great missionary. which came into the Union in cleansed. Men who had loved to sit He was thought to be about 100 1910. In the Cape Province the idly at home went out to the sur- years old, and is said to have goal was to make the black man rounding villages to preach the Gos- been one of the devoted band as much like the white man as pel. Everywhere crowds came to lis- who carried out the epic journey possible; in Natal, the official ten to the wonders of God. The re- to the coast, bearing the body of policy was to "maintain and vival spread to our other stations and their dead leader. It has been strengthen the tribal system in throughout all the villages. Thou- stated that he was present at the interests of the Colony"; sands of heathen believed in Jesus the meeting between Livingstone while in the Boer-controlled Or- Christ. We have new churches and and Stanley at Ujiji, but confir- ange Free State and Transvaal new members; and the old have be- mation of this is difficult to ob- little thought was given to nacome new. We baptized last year tain. Few of the African na- tive policy. In 1894, under' Cecil several hundreds from our field, and tives who had personal contact Rhodes' leadership a district in hundreds more are in classes prepar- with Livingstone lived on into the Ciskei was set apart for a ing to be baptized. We have opened the twentieth century. It is not thoroughgoing experiment in work in many new villages. long since the death of another detribilization. This aimed at of them, Lazarus Raikane, who giving the natives a share in -London Missionary Herald. lived to a great age. The death their local government through of these two is a reminder that the council system. The plan, Witch Doctor Made New the opening up of Africa is a which proved successful, has re- process of recent origin, and sulted in somewhat similar ex- The following modern miracle the bewildering changes of the periments in other areas of the of grace is told by E. R. Kellers- sixty odd years that have passed Union. The Native Affairs Deberger, American Presbyterian since Livingstone's death appear partment was established to unimissionary in the Congo. the more amazing. fy and administer native policy for the Union as a whole. The In this land the women, as well as -South African Outlook. record of the years shows steady the men, are witch doctors. There advance along several lines, nomay not be "women's rights" as far Copper Miners in Rhodesia tably in the increased interest as voting is concerned, but when it on the part of Europeans in nacomes to evil influence, these benight- One of the British Empire's tive questions, the organization ed heathen women hold the balance of largest industrial enterprises is of Joint Councils and the South power. Ntumba Kanyeba had been the northern Rhodesia copper African Institute of Race Relavisited by many people, seeking to field. It involves a multitude of tions. know why they were sick and what problems, since the workers, cut evil influence had caused their dis- loose from tribal moorings and On the other hand, there reease. She had a weird gourd cut into old standards, from any Chris- main several critical, unsolved a fantastic shape into which she tian influences that may have problems, principally the ineqpoured and mixed many medicines. previously helped them, usually uity in the distribution of land, Goat's horns stuffed with dirt, snake separated from wives and fam- the problem of native population skins, snail shells, sticks of wood, ilies, are flung into a whirlpool in great urban areas, and the chicken feathers, well mixed, form an of new ideas and forces, exposed policy in native education. Prior efficacious balm. Weare told that a to new temptations and given to 1922 native education was jaw-bone of a coney, if tied to the new opportunities for self-indul- recognized as a national obligaarm of a sufferer will cure an abscess, gence. Without tribe, chief, and that the bone of a monkey, if church or missionary pastor, worn on a string around the neck, they learn a whole new range of will cure a pain in the hips. Dried vices, and contract deadly disrats and the foot and tongue of a eases and habits. dead bird are also favorite remedies for various maladies. With incanta- The London Missionary Socitions, Kanyeba would say what ailed ety has appointed Rev. and Mrs. these benighted folk, and thereby Moore to minister to these peomade a good living. To become a Christian would mean the loss of her influence and all means of support, for she was a widow. Yet through faithful intercession of the evangelist,
tion and was financed from gen- estine, as a first step, and to unite whose life was slowly ebbing in eral revenue. Since 1922 any and encourage them to live open his tribal tent. Only one thing Christian lives. expansion in native education could save the youth's lifehas been financed by revenue 2. The Fellowship (as a group of transfusion of blood from the converts from Islam) will stand as a from native sources or by pri- testimony to the power of Jesus arteries of a healthy man. The vate charity. This limits the Christ to save Moslems by direct doctor, turning to the father, evangelization, and Christian living. educational advancement of the brothers and cousins of the poorest section of the population 3. To give facilities to Moslem in- young man, asked: quirers so as to lead them to a definite to the very limited financial re- acceptance of Jesus Christ as their "From which of you may I sources of that group. personal Saviour and Lord. take blood to pour into the veins of this youth and save his life?" In Southern Rhodesia there 4. To hold special meetings for seems to have been a more lib- Moslems at which the Gospel will be One and all refused to give eral native policy. Urban de- preached, questions and discussions en- blood, even for their own kin. velopment is only beginning, and couraged, and suitable literature dis- 'l'he white doctor saw one way. it should be possible to avoid tributed. He took his lancet and, baring some of the problems which his own body, poured out his have arisen in the great cities of 5. To try to obtain various employ- blood to save the young Arab. the Union. ments, so that the convert may learn The Arabs were astounded. to work and earn his living respect- Even the impassive Orient was -Missionary Herald. ably.
Twenty-five families of Haifa are associated with the Fellow- ship, and at present ten inquir- deeply moved. From that day WESTERN ASIA ers are being instructed. this American missionary doctor Nazareth Infant Welfare -Ghaleb Daher, Secretary. has been able to do what he will The Eastern Church with those Arabs, and no man The infant welfare work of dare lay a finger upon him. "He Emanuel Medical Mission at Charles Clayton Morrison, of is our brother now," they say, Nazareth continues to show ex- The Christian Century's edito- "his blood is in our veins." cellent results. The average rial staff, visited the Near East number of babies dealt with last spring. He writes: Loving His Enemy during 1934 has been about The Greek Church in Turkey is When my colleague was killed thirty at each clinic, held once a having a constricted and painful ex- by bandits, he said, with dying week. Each baby is weighed breath, "Everything is all right; once a week, and the mother is istence. The fact that the bulk of the everything is all right," and advised with regard to feeding, Church's constituency had been de- passed out without any bittercare of the eyes, and attention ness in his heart toward his to minor ailments. Eye trouble ported from Turkey to Greece in the murderers. A short time after is very prevalent. There have stupendous exchange of population that the leader of the bandit been several severe cases of in 1922 and 1923 had required a com- band who had killed the mission- "marasmus," causing extreme plete reorientation of the Church. ary was brought wounded into' emaciation. The mothers have the hospital at the Mission staall definitely tried to act upon Over a million Greeks were compelled tion. He was given the best the advice given. The real joy to pull up the roots of their family, service and attention and gradthey have shown each time they business and social life in Turkey, and ually nursed back to health. find that the baby has gained a sail to Greece, just as nearly a mil- When he was again restored and little weight is equally shared lion Turks in Greece were similarly about to leave the hospital he by us. Quite half a dozen seem- brought to Turkey. There remain was asked why he had killed the ingly hopeless cases of this dis- only about 60,000 Greeks in Turkey. missionary. He grew indignant ease have now reached almost and said, "Who said I killed the normal weight. The Greek Church in Russia sees missionary?" After they had -E. M. M. S. Quarterly Paper. the steady, fateful process of disinte- assured him that they had evi- gration going relentlessly on, carrying dence of his dastardly act, he Evangelistic Fellowship for off a population of 100,000,000 Chris- said: "What, do you mean to tians from the fold of the Orthodox Palestine faith. Thus the once mighty Church which before the War embraced 121,- 000,000 adherents, now contemplates a future in which its membership will hardly exceed 20,000,000.
In Greece itself the Orthodox Church is just now in an unusually popular position. No political func- tion is held in Greece without the presence of a representative of the tell me that all the time I lay Church. Laws have rEcently been Christian converts from Islam passed (or resurrected after a long here, helpless and in imminent in Palestine have formed an obsolescence) making it obligatory for danger of my life, you knew that undenominational Evangelistic students to attend church services, I was the murderer, and you Fellowship, with the purpose of which they do en masse. Everywhere churches are packed. The govern-_ cared for me enough to preserve upbuilding converts in the fuller my life and to bring me back to . knowledge of the Christian ment is supporting the Church, and health again? Why did you do the Church is giving the sanction and faith; and of presenting the blessing of God to the government. it?" "Jesus Christ," was the answer. "It is He who taught us Gospel to Moslems in Palestine. Of One Blood to love our enemies and to do Their objectives are: Basil Mathews tells of a good to those who revile and 1. To seek out all the secret and young Arab in Mesopotamia, persecute us." scattered converts from Islam in Pal-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
It is needless to say that man's writers under the title Das teachers in the schools, there are heart was broken and pieced to- Werden einer jungen Kirche im more than 1,800 native teachers gether again with the mercy of Osten. This notice is not in- of different grades in the various God and the invincible love of tended for a review but it wishes institutions. Jesus Christ. to call attention to some out- -John Van Ess of Arabia, in standing facts connected with -Watchman-Examiner. the work of the Basel Society. World Outlook. Buddhist Priests Baptized It must be recalled that the INDIA-BURMA Basel Mission has worked in Dr. R. S. Buker, Baptist mis- India at times under great ad- sionary in Burma, writes: "At Changing Attitudes versities and with gigantic ef- a pageant held in Kengtung, not fort and that now as a result of long ago I sat near a pongyi who Rev. Prebendary Wilson Cash, the faithful labors of its mission- has passed the half century D.D., General Secretary of the aries, there has come into being mark. Over 30 years of his life C. M. S., writes: "On my recent a Christian church. There are have been spent in the garb of visit to India I was much im- about 25,000 Christians in 18 the priestly yellow robe. This pressed with the new openings great congregational districts, morning at 11 o'clock he changed among Mohammedans. In some gathered from all classes and to civilian clothes … and about places there seemed to be a real strata of the population. There a half hour later I baptized him movement of God's Spirit among is a mission school system of 106 as he witnessed before a group them. In Karachi, for example, schools with about 20,000 chil- of some 200 bazaar-goers that he we were told that more inquiries dren. had changed 'from the short came from Mohammedans than road of Buddha to the long road from Hindus. In Peshawar I The new church has also of Christ.' found that converts, after bap- adopted an unequivocal statetism, were allowed to live on in ment of faith based on the his- "Some time previously a Burtheir Moslem homes. Changes toric faith of the Reformation, mese pongyi had asked to be bapof this sort were very cheering." as contained in the Holy Scrip- tized, but before taking off his tures, the articles of the Apos- yellow robes he asked permis- -Fellowship of Faith. tles' and the Nicene Creed and sion to visit various Buddhist Luther's Small Catechism. The monasteries to tell his friends of Radio for Every Town doctrinal position is expressed in his decision and the reasons for seven statements. It is a clear it. Among his listeners was this Prince Nizam of Hyderabad expression against all forms of pongyi who was mentioned has given $500,000 to install a religious syncretism and con- above. Just two days after the community radio set in every tains a definite confession of the Burmese pongyi was baptized hi:;; village of his state. Three pow- revelation of God in Christ. The first convert was added to the erful broadcasting stations will organization of the church is ranks of witnesses of the faith." be built, each transmitting pro- similar to that which has taken grams in the three chief lan- place in the churches in Africa, -Watchman-Examiner. guages spoken in Prince Nizam's especially the Gold Coast. domains. He calls radio "the A Missionary Colonel voice from the sky," and be- Telugu Mission Report lieves it can do much to educate Five years ago the Bible his people. Last year was the 99th of the Churchmen's Missionary Society American Baptist Telugu Mis- of Great Britain established a Hyderabad is the richest and sion's activity. The year's re- medical mission among the remost populous Indian State, port shows that the men and mote and neglected tribes of the with an area almost twice that women from the United States Hukawng Valley, in the northof New York State and a popu- who are engaged in this Mission ern corner of Burma. Col. S. H. lation of 15,000,000. at the present time number Middleton-West, of the Indian sixty-nine, while the native medical service, journeys by ele- -New York Times. force of ordained preachers is phant or Chinese mule, among fifty-five. The native evangelis- the primitive tribes of the valley, The Christian Church tic workers are a force of 472 carrying with him a medicine men and 219 women. There are chest and a Bible. To this center The Basel Mission has com- 356 churches on the field; of the people travel from long displeted a span of a century in its these 208 are wholly self-sup- tances to receive treatment. work in India. In itself that porting. Added to the memberwould be a notable event; but ship of the churches by baptism "Unlike most tribes the world when one considers what this ac- in 1934 were 3,492, making in over," says this missionary coltive missionary association has all, 111,717 church members. onel, "these primitive folk have been able to do by the grace of no knowledge of medicine what- God, in this long period, one may The schools continue to be a ever. When they are ill, they well understand the importance great factor in the work. While sacrifice fowls, pigs, dogs and of a review of its work by those there are only sixteen American other animals to· the evil spirits most competent to speak for it. which they believe send them the In fact, a book has appeared illness; but now they are learnwith contributions from able
ing to come to the mission hos- blame his countrymen if they Demand Exceeds Supply pital for treatment. Their chief ran every missionary out of trouble is from opium. Where- China, as she felt they had no Nanking Bible Tea c her s' as in the rest of Burma the cul- business to meddle with the Chi- School reports that the twentytivation and consumption of nese religion. My ears stuck out five graduates of last June could opium is prohibited, in the Hu- like a donkey's to catch his an- have been placed twice over; kawng Valley opium is grown swer and he said, 'Madam, China there are so many calls for and consumed in large quanti- has no religion, nor have we any- trained workers that there are ties. The people know its de- thing else that restrains us from never enough graduates to supgrading effects, and many come doing evil; we have nothing but ply the need. The students of to us for treatment. We can kindly feelings for the mission- last year represented twenty-one help them with drugs, but we aries. They are our friends.''' different churches and missions, also tell them of the Saviour who and came from fourteen provcan enable them to master their Growth of Suicide Problem inces. Their average age was craving. twenty-seven years. The total The Central China Daily News number of years of service ren- "They do not suffer from the says that suicide is becoming dered by them before entering usual diseases of civilization, but popular in China as a means of the school was 308 years. In the mainly from malaria, skin dis- gaining freedom from the cares twenty-two years of the school''3 eases, poison from bites, bamboo and troubles of this life. The history, 298 students have gradwounds and ulcers." number of suicides in the six uated. Students come not only leading cities during the month from widely scattered areas, but -The Life of Faith. of March were: Shanghai, 74 from very different environ- J;llen and 40 women ; Nanking, ments and with greatly varied CHINA 40 men and 31 women; Peiping, experiences. In the present stu- 78 men and 58 women; Tsing- dent body are fourth generation China Village Uplift tao, 72 men and 39 women; Christians, and one student has Hangchow, 74 men and 15 wom- three generations of preachers Upon invitation of the vil- en, and Hankow, 53 men and 53 back of her. Then there are lagers, twenty Min g C h 0 n g women. Most of those who com- those who come from non-Chris- (popular education) s c h 00 Is mitted self-murder were still tian homes, whose coming means have been established in as many under thirty years of age, and struggle and sacrifice because of villages, as a part of an agricul- their chief reasons for taking the opposition, and often persetural, educational and religious their lives seem to have been fi- cution of their families. program. In cooperation, clinics nancial difficulties, unemployhave been established in two of ment, unhappy love affairs and -Women and Missions: the villages; these are free, ex- domestic troubles. In 24 of cept for a registration fee of China's principal cities there After Many Years five coppers. Money for drugs were 1,604 suicides in 1933. and supplies so far have been Thirty years ago in Chuhsien contributed by American friends. The problem is as old as the a man named Chu was present The village furnishes a room for Chinese race, only the method for the annual examinations for the clinic and one for the nurse has varied with the ages. In degree under the old Confucian to sleep in. former years, high government order. Passing a small pagoda officials took some kind of nat- by the roadside, used especially Other public health measures ural poison which they always for burning paper bearing writ- carried with them when they ten character, he saw a man include Well-Baby Clinics. The were about to be beheaded by thrusting a thick book into the the order of an Emperor. Now fire. He pulled it out, remarking first one was established three the preferred method is shooting that it was a shame to burn such in a modern hotel. a good book. It was minus its years ago; it is carried on only covers and some of the leaves, The explanation seems to be but he took it home, read it, and in the fall, winter and early that many educated, modern was intensely interested, though young people prefer money to he had no way of identifying it. spring. Still another institution soul, pleasures to moral prin- ciples, suicide to a simple and This year, in Kiangshan city, is the Mothers' Club, which humble livelihood. Sui c ide s he was standing on a street which originate from poverty corner when an old man came meets to discuss child health, are fewer than among the along with a thick book under wealthy, as the poor are used to his arm. Chu felt that this thick care and training. Once a year hardships. The need is evident book and his were somewhat that the sacredness of the soul alike, and that here was the soluall their children are brought for must be impressed upon modern tion of some of his problems youth. such as who this "God" could be; medical examination, vaccina- and where the book came from. -China Weekly Review. tion and typhoid-cholera inocula- tion. – World Call.
"They Are Friends"
A correspondent in World Call writes: "At the Century of Progress Exposition in the Chinese shops, I overheard an American woman telling one of the Chinese that she did not
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
He spoke to the old man, and val. There is a general feeling· Drug Menace Growing asked what the book might be. "It is the Holy Scripture." "Yes, that no moral training is possi- The drug evil is rapidly growbut what Holy Scripture might ble without Christian training ing in Japan. Rev. Michio Koit be and what are you doing and while the prohibitions of zaki, pastor of Reinanzaka Conwith it?" "Oh, I am going to Christian schools have not been gregational Church, is telling worship, and we use this book repealed, Christian schools are his compatriots what distressing in the worship of God." "And not interfered with. things he found being carried on where do you worship?" "At under Japanese patronage by the Jesus Hall, of course." "May The society reports that it has Japanese, Korean and Chinese I come along with you and see 3,893 Christian members and dope-rings in Peiping, Tientsin this worship?" "Yes, anyone is that during the year 211 were and vicinity; and Miss Muriel welcome," and Mr. Chu and the received by baptism. There are Lester, of Kingsley Hall, London, old man went along together to in all 6 ordained missionaries, is prepared to give the world a worship. There Mr. Chu met 21 evangelists, 20 teachers and sordid story of what she saw, Mr. Ting, the colporteur, who 66 elders. was conducting the worship for that Sunday in the Kiangshan JAPAN with almost unbelieving eyes, in Church, and he was able to ex- North China. The Japanese plain a little more to him of the way of life. Seven Cooperatives Proposed Government has made heroic ef- forts in the past to keep nar- -China's Millions. Kagawa, believing that coop- cotics from the Japanese people, eratives, working side by side but institutions for assistance of The Rhenish Mission in China with capitalistic units, could narcotic victims are now finding gradually and peacefully replace themselves too busy to handle all This mission reports for 1934 them, proposes seven different the tragic cases that come to that the year just closed was types of cooperatives. They are: their attention. In one well free from major political events, producers' cooperatives, credit known reform house in Tokyo, although the fight of the govern- unions, consumers' cooperatives, 95 per cent of the cases treated ment against communism is still mutual aid organizations, insur- are Koreans. carried on vigorously. The ef- ance groups, marketing cooperaforts of Gen. Chiang Kai-shek tives and public utilities. "Chris- -The Christian Century. have been successful in freeing the province of Kiangsi of this tian cooperative associations," pest. However, the communists he told an audience recently in Prank Creates Ethical Problem have now turned to other fields and are still a great menace in Honolulu, "are the alternative Doshisha University, oldest the lands north of the Yang-tse for revolution in capitalist coun- Kiang and the province of Set- tries." and largest Christian school in chuan. In these areas the missionaries have been compelled to He had something to say about Japan, planned to place within a vacate considerable territory and war, too. He blamed it on conseveral missionaries have been fused thinking, and added: recently completed building a kidnapped and also several mur- "Confused thinking is the result dered. Several workers of the of confused, irregular living. If memorial of Joseph Neesima, Berlin Mission have been in a man abstains from liquor and founder of the university and great dan g e r temporarily. narcotics and does everything famous J a pan e s e Christian Troops of the government in possible to help himself think leader. Before the memorial Nanking and Canton have taken clearly, he will see that peace is was installed, however, a stupart in activities against these practical." dent, thinking to playa joke, set communists. up a Shinto god-shrine in the -The Christian Advocate. place of honor reserved for Nee- In the face of these disturb- sima. Now the military authoriances the Rhenish Mission has ties in Japan, despite explanabeen able to work undisturbed. The missionaries are reporting Union Theological Training tions and apologies by the offendmuch concerning the so-called ing student and a petition from "New Life Movement," started by Gen. Chiang Kai-shek. It did A plan is under way, spon- the entire student body, have not proceed from Christians nor can it be called Christian; but sored by the Japan section of the ruled that it would be an indigit is friendly to Christianity. In the south it is prohibited. In International Christian Educa- nity to the sacred deities of the the province of Canton Confucianism is experiencing a revi- tion Commission, to provide Japanese nation to have the union theological education. The Shinto shrine removed. If the Tokyo and Yokohama members school authorities dare to make of this commission have taken any change, the military au- the following action: "We rec- thorities threaten to withdraw ommend as the first step the im- all recognition from the school.
mediate establishment of a union Evidently the threat has mean- theological course which shall be ing, for at last reports the shrine preparatory to the higher work still holds the place of honor in- of the various denominational tended for Neesima. Japanese theological schools, situated in rationalize the position taken by the area near Tokyo." the military department by in- -The Christian Century. sisting that Shinto is really not
a religiQn, and that there has tions have agreed to discontinue ations, are to be included in the therefQre been nO' interference all competitive mission work in same Synod. There will be a with cQnstitutiQnal guarantees this country. Representatives Qf reduction in the number of Qffi- Qf religiQus freedQm. But many five denominations – Baptist, cial bQards. Christians, missiQnaries and Congregational-Christian, Meth- Japanese, find their minds filled odist Episcopal, Presbyterian The merged denominations with misgivings as they see this and Reformed – signed t his have a membership of about ShintO' shrine set up in a Chris- agreement Qn May 17; the Dis- 700,000. Headquarters are to tian university in the place in- ciples Qf Christ and the Evan- be continued for the present in tended fQr a memQrial to' its gelical Synod have accepted the Philadelphia and St. LQuis. Christian fQunder. agreement and representatives of each have only to' affix their -Christian Observer. -The Christian Century. signatures. Other boards have it under consideratiQn. Scientific Faith NORTH AMERICA The agreement calls for joint Dr. Arthur H. ComptQn, of Character Education planning by the various bQards, the University of ChicagO', the who will work in cQnjunction student of the cosmic ray and A cQmplete failure Qf "at- with a Comity Committee of the the winner of the Nobel Prize in tempts to' achieve character edu- state home missiQns council; if 1927, expressed before an emicatiQn withQut the aid Qf reli- such a cQmmittee dQes nQt exist, nent grQUp Qf scientists in ChigiQUS mQtivatiQn" is repQrted by one will be formed. cagO', his belief in God and in the the Presbyterian BQard Qf Chris- intelligence and order of the unitian EducatiQn, which annQunces -Federal Council Bulletin. verse. plans fQr jQining aggressively in a cQQperative effQrt by 37 Qther Useful Missionary Society He tOQk the positiQn that churches in America "fQr the ex- "faith in God may be a thoroughtensiQn Qf Christian educatiQn to' The native mission church at ly scientific attitude, even though the milliQns Qf unreached chil- Metlakatla, Alaska, has cause to we may be unable to prove the' dren and' yQung peQple." Sun- be prQud Qf its missionary so- correctness of our belief." He: day church schQQls are still fail- ciety. Last year they worked said: ing to' enlist mQre than 40 to' 50 hard to raise their cQntribution per cent Qf their PrQtestant CQn- for natiQnal and foreign mis- "Science can have no quarrel stituency. MilliQns Qf nQminally sions, did sewing for Sheldon with a religiQn which postulates PrQtestant children in Qur CQun- Jackson School, and contributed a God to whom men are as His try are withQut any systematic fOQd for Haines House. They children. Not that science in any religiQus training. As fQr the also attended to many local way shows such a relationship. future, says the repQrt, it is cer- needs, such as prQviding clothes If a religion which makes such tain that vacatiQn and week-day fQr poor children, helping care an assumption does not have its, church schQQls will have a large for the sick, calling Qn the be- own evidence, it should not look part in the plan. A gain in the reaved, preparing lunches for to science. But the evidence for past year Qf 152 V a cat i 0' n men who were cutting WOQd for an intelligent PQwer wQrking iIT Church SchQQls cQnducted by the church, cleaning the church, the wQrld, which science Qffers,. Presbyterian c h u r c h e s is an- and raising $40 toward painting dQes make such a postulate: nQunced by the BQard. The tQtal the church. Their interest and plausible. . . . number Qf such schQQls was influence ext end s to every 3,358, enrQlling 235,393 pupils. branch of church work. "As we recognize the great- ness Qf the program of nature', MQre than 8,000 YQung peQ- -Presbyterian Banner. which is unfQlding before us, we; pIe Qf cQllege and high schQQI feel that we are part of a great age attended last year's Presby- New Evangelical and Refo'l'med enterprise in which some mighty terian summer cQnferences. The Church intelligence is wQrking Qut a hid- 8,000, the repQrt states, went den plan. back to' their hQme churches It was announced on July 13 with a new understanding ,of that the tentative draft Qf a new "Indeed, God has placed us iIT Christian living and Qf the work cQnstitution for the newly or- a position to help in furthering' Qf the Church, with new willing- ganized Evangelical and Re- His prQgram." ness to do church work and with fQrmed Church has been prethe i r characters increasingly pared. The new cQnstitution will A Study of Financial Trends steeled to meet their everyday cQntain many features that are prQblems. different from those of either of Dr. Charles Stelzle has made the former Churches. Provision an analysis of the ten-year pe- To End Competition is being made fQr a full-time riQd from 1925-1934, inclusive, president as the Qfficial head of to show how much members of The Home Missions Council the Church. All Qf the congre- leading Protestant c h u I' C h e s has wQrked out a plan under gatiQns in a given territQry, ir- throughout the United States which a number of denomina- respective of former affiliation, gave to the work of their language used, or other consider- churches during the past ten years. It is indicated that con- tributiQns per capita for all pur- poses declined 43 per cent. 0'1"
for worship, hand- Creative Learning. J. M. Price, J. L. America, arriving on March 13
work and games. Corzine. 75 cents. 268 pp. Bap- Eighteen months later Miss Carrie tist Sunday School Board, Nash- The Three-Cornered Continent. By ville. Elder joined him on the field and Margaret Applegarth. Cloth, 75 they were married in Cairo in 1876. cents; paper, 50 cents. Facing Two Ways – The Story of Dr. Alexander was stationed at As- My Life. Baroness Shidzue Ishi- suit College of which he later became A series of stories about South moto. 373 pp. $3.50. Farrar and president. Dr. Alexander is still re- America published by the Cen- Rinehart. New York. siding in Egypt. tral Committee on the United Study of Foreign Missions. Making the World Christian. P. E. *** Borroughs, Arthur J. Brown, John FOR PRIMARY GROUPS D. Freeman. 334 pp. 75 cents. Rev. George W. Gibb has been ap- Baptist Sunday School Board. pointed General Director of the China Around a Mexican Patio. By Ethel L. Nashville. Inland Mission to take the place of Smther. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 75 cents. Schoolhouse in the Foothills. Ella Mr. D. E. Hoste who has retired. Mr. Enslow and Alvin F. Harlow. 239 Gibb went to China in 1894 and was a This unit of work on Mexican pp. $2.00. Simon & Shuster. New notable success in one position and life, based on actual teaching ex- York. another and thus was recognized as a periences, contains ten suggested man who was steadily growing in sessions for the leader who de- Studies in Ephesians. E. Y. Mullins. sires definite procedures, and a 144 pp. Cloth, 60 cents; paper, 40 grace, knowledge and power. Upon synopsis of a fuller unit for the cents. Baptist Sunday School him devolved a large share of the leader who desires to build her Board, Nashville, Tenn. heavy burden of formulating the prinown course. The sources include ciples and promoting the program of informational material and a se- Old Testament Biographies. H. W. rial story which will appeal to Tribble, John L. Hill, Kyle M. the Forward Movement which the children of primary age. Yates. 329 pp. 75 cents. Baptist Mission decided upon in 1929. Sunday School Board. Nashville, Rafael and Consuelo. By Florence Tenn. *** C. Means and Harriet L. Fullen. Boards, $1.00; paper, 75 cents. 1929. They That Sow. Mary Warburton Dr. Julius Richter of Berlin is in Booth. 200 pp. 3s. 6d. Pickering America attending the meeting of the Stories and a project course & Inglis. London. on Mexicans in this country. International Missionary Council. He I Go a Fishing. John McNeill. 128 is available for addresses in October SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL pp. 1s. Pickering & Inglis. Lon- and November. don. Keswick. Fun and Festival from Latin Amer- *** ica. By Winifred Hulbert. Paper, Church, Community and State – A 25 cents. World Issue. J. H. Oldham. Rev. J. Kelly Unger, missionary to Pamphlet. 35 cents. Harper and Korea, is now in America and avail- Games, songs, program fea- Brothers. New York and London. able for addresses on missionary work tures, costumes, refreshments 1935. among the lepers. and suggestions for dramatizations. The Answer of God. Marshall Broom- *** hall. Seventieth Anniversar:ll; of Picture Map of Mexico. 30×50 inches; the China Inland Mission. London, President James H. Franklin of to be colored. 50 cents. Philadelphia, Toronto. 1935. Crozer Theological Seminary was Paper Dolls-Mexico. A sheet of Personal Items two paper dolls in color, with elected president of the Northern changes of costume. 25 cents. Dr. J. R. Alexander, of the United Presbyterian Church, recently cele- Baptist Convention for the year Latin American Neighbors Picture brated his diamond jubilee or 60 years Sheet. A folder of 16 pictures. 25 of service in Egypt. He went out from 1935-6. * * :{: cents. Home Missions Number Dr. Paul W. Rood, nationally Latin American Picture Stories. A known evangelist, has accepted the pamphlet of six short stories, suit- OUR JUNE ISSUE presidency of the Los Angeles Bible able for telling, accompanied by ClW e still have on hand a limited Institute. illustrative pictures about 9×13 quantity of the June issue of THE inches. 50 cents. REVIEW – our Home Missions *** Number. Ittakes up various phases Wall Map of Latin America. 36×46 of the work carried on among wild Rev. E. C. Lobenstine went to inches; locates nearly all Protestant Indians, among Negroes, Mormons China in 1898 as a missionary of the mission stations. 60 cents. and Orientals, among mountain- Board of Foreign Missions of the eers a n settlers on western prai- Presbyterian Church in the U. S. Large Outline Map of Latin America. ries; in Alaska and the West In- His principal contribution has been in 28×32 inches. 25 cents. dies; among immigrants in city building up Christian cooperation in slums and in mining towns. China. He is now retiring, after 37 Small Outline Maps of Latin Amer- years of service. ica. llx14 inches. 25 cents per ClDon't miss the value of a study of dozen. this subject such as the June 1935 *** issue affords. New Books === ORDER NOW=== Rev. Emory Ross, who was for The Bible and the Bible School. J. Single copies, 25c. In hundred lots, 20c each many years the able secretary of the B. Weathersoon, G. S. Dobbins. 280 Congo Protestant Council and the pp. 75 cents. Baptist Sunday The Missionary Review of the World editor of the Congo Mission News, has School Board. Nashville. been appointed executive secretary of Subscription CJJepartment Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. the American Congo Committee. Mr. Ross is also executive secretary of the I~ _ _-_____ _____________ newly organized American Committee on the Ethiopian Crisis which has been formed to aid in maintaining peace between Italy and Ethiopia; to aid Ethiopia by peaceful means in preserving her historic political and territorial sovereignty and to main- tain close relations with the Imperial Ethiopian Government, and in so far as may be mutually desired to act un- officially between its representatives and interested groups outside of Ethiopia.
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As one reviewer writes: "If there is anywhere in religious literature from Thomas a Kempis to date a finer narration than Dr. Speer's personal answers to 'What do I think Jesus is to me and does for me,' it has escaped my reading." $2.50 ——–OTHER IMPORTANT NEW BOOKS——–c Cleland Boyd McAfee, D.D. Mary Brewster Hollister Edith F. Norton The Foreign Missionary ~ South China Folks 1~ Ralph Norton a nd the Enterprise Belgian Gospel Mission Intimate stories of native life in 1 and Its Sincere Critics China today by an author who has A most interesting sketch of the won an enviable reputation as a sym- "Fills a long-felt want and to complete dlife oSf RhalIphTN'orton fwhodml the S'tu1nsatisfaction. Criticisms of foreign missions pathetic and interesting chronicler of T ay C 00 tmes on y entl es are plentiful-but Dr. McAfee knows. t ;present-day life in South China. "the greatest missionary statesman '11 fi d ' This book sympathetically read and fairly M' d of our generation, also, one of the interpreted will remove practically all of isslOn stu y groups Wl n It greatest soul-winners of our day."
these criticisms."-Presbyterian 13anne,'. well adapted to their course on Introduction by Charles G. Trum- $1.50 South China. $1.25 bull, Litt.D. Illustrated, $2.00 AT ALL BOOKSTORES FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 158 -:::!~o!~ENUE DO NOT MISS THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Edit:or SOME ARTICLES IN THE OCTOBER NUMBER: Mysticism in Islam and Christendom ……………… Duncan B. Macdonald Presenting Christ to Moslems ………………………. ,J. Christy Wilson Constructive Revolutions in Iran.. . …………………. Samuel M. Jordan Islam in Palestine ………………………………… Alfred J. Nielsen The Arab Nationalist Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. Elizabeth P. MacCallum Maimonides and Islam …… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. Henry S. Gehman Some Old Turkish Documents ……………………….. Lootfy Levonian Missions in North Africa. . . . .. …… ………. . …. "An Old Missionary" Amongst Bulgarian Moslems …………………………James W. Wiles The Moslems of China Today. . . . . . . . . . . .. . ………….. George K. Harris Current Topics – Book Reviews – Survey of Periodicals – Index for the Year 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, N. Y. $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN Go SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C.
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